17: Mercedes-Benz S-Class – Still the best luxury car in the class

A predictable choice for the highest-placed luxury car? Yes, but sometimes there’s comfort in predictability, and God knows there’s comfort in an S-Class. The new lineup of straight-six diesel engines (which replaced the old V6 versions) are staggeringly refined and powerful, and proof if it were needed that diesel still has an important part to play in the car world.

Incoming new plugin hybrid versions feature a choice of petrol or diesel power, and if you really want to go nuts then there are the mad AMG versions too. Or you could always try a wafty, Beverly-Hills express Coupe of Cabriolet model. Standard S350d would do us nicely, though.Endless comfort and refinement, yet surprisingly good when the going gets twisty. Best model: S350d AMG-Sport for €99,320

Price range: €90,880 to €362,340. Finance from €POA per month.

Co2 emissions: 57 to 226g/km