The last generation S-Class was no slouch. Despite long years on the market, it still skillfully held our Editors' Choice award last year. So was this year's win by the all-new generation a cakewalk? Absolutely not. With BMW, Audi and Jaguar significantly upping their games, the new S-Class had to be a quantum leap in refinement, power and especially luxury -- not just a larger helping of more of the same. As you can tell from its prominent place here, we think Mercedes has succeeded.

Aside from the sharp new styling and excellent, hushed road manners, the Benz offers the latest in radar-based cruise control and air suspension, not to mention toys like Night View Assist, which displays an infrared image of the road in the instrument cluster. The only tawdry bit is the COMAND control system, which, actuated through a central knob, is scarily similar to BMW's i-Drive setup.

There's also new power from a twin cam V8 making 388 hp and an optional twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12, which gives the car best-in-class 0-100 km/h acceleration, at 4.6 seconds. All in all, the big Benz once again steps ahead, with an envious combination of technology and driving prowess that's world-class.

The best in technology and style

Interior and controls too close to BMW's 7 Series