What’s new: We try the entry petrol engine to the sumptuous S-class range and see how costs compare with the excellent diesel version.
Excellent: Mercedes nails the nigh-on perfect blend of a luxurious interior and top-draw quality with great handling and classy looks. Base petrol engine copes well with the weight, sprinting to 60 in just 7.3secs.
Good: S280 averages an impressive 28.5mpg on the combined cycle, only 5.5mpg adrift from the diesel. That’s good for a big, heavy saloon, although we’d expect the real-world diesel advantage to be greater.
Average: Seven-speed auto occasionally delivers clumsy changes. Our modestly specced car was fitted with £7000 worth of options.
Poor: If you can afford a car at this level, a CPM of 70.7p won’t scare you. However, the diesel’s added torque makes for a more relaxing drive.
Verdict: The petrol’s fractionally greater refinement doesn’t exceed the diesel’s all-round watftability and efficiency at the pumps.
