SECOND OPINION

The S-Class’s biggest battle isn’t with the Panamera and 7-series. It’s with irrelevance. Asia aside, SUVs is where it’s at in the luxury market these days. Still flying the flag for four-doors? Pick the Panamera if you want to go fast. It’s no 911, but it feels like a Porsche. Which is precisely why most S-Class fans won’t give it a second look. They should look past the BMW, too. Forget the gadgets (though rear-steer is a must): the Merc’s incredible ability to calm, its bright cabin and, if you pick the S 560e hybrid, a huge 62-mile electric range make it an easy winner.