The S-Class has had its day… Since its launch nearly six years ago, Mercedes’s flagship has been the best car in its class. If you look at the defining characteristics of a grand saloon – space, refinement, effortless power, leading-edge technology, ride comfort and quality – and how it integrated these elements, it beat all comers. But, bar a caveat of two, Jaguar’s XJ comes very close to matching the S-Class on these points while providing a far superior driving experience.