2010 Mercedes-Benz S Class - Review

By Eric Loveday

Eric Loveday

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Eric Loveday is a car enthusiast with a love for everything automotive. He purchased a 1970 Chevelle at age 16, quickly outgrew its dated engineering... More

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2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid

Recently, Edmunds.com reviewer Robert Calem got some time behind the wheel of the new S400 Hybrid.  Over the course of a weekend, he developed thoughts about the vehicle.  Though the review is one of overall praise, one serious drawback cropped up.

During the first day of driving, real time gas mileage peaked at 30 mpg, a respectable number.  But in mixed driving, the vehicle returned an overall average of only 21.3 mpg.

With gas mileage a key attribute of any hybrid, Calem set out again on Sunday and topped out at 48 mph over the course of 76 miles.  This time, the car's trip computer reported a more respectable 25.6 mpg.

Calem went about resetting the trip computer before every long trip.  The maximum mileage returned was 27.4 during a 54 mile trip at an average speed of 40 mph.

The real life fuel economy numbers certainly exceed that of the gasoline powered S-Class vehicles, and falls squarely within the EPA ratings.  Not spectacular mileage, but more than acceptable.

Impressed with the fuel economy and the luxury touches of the vehicle, Calem was not all grins.  He noted that the braking system felt like a "3 stage" braking system.  As Mercedes explains it, "When the car is coasting, the magneto-electric motor, already acting as a generator, recovers energy and helps to slow the car down. Lightly touching the brake pedal increases the motor's output as a generator, slowing the car further. But it's only by pressing hard on the brake pedal that the driver can initiate the third braking stage, in which the car's actual wheel brakes are engaged. These three stages are controlled seamlessly, so the driver perceives the new system simply as smooth, responsive braking."

According to the review, the system simply did not work as described.  Normal braking pressure was not enough to adequately slow the vehicle.  Calem stated, "To avoid overshooting turns at intersections, I ended up applying what seemed like emergency braking pressure. To make sure the S400 Hybrid didn't plow into other cars from behind when they were braking, I was careful to maintain extra-long gaps to the car ahead. Parallel parking, when most drivers tend to feather the brake pedal, was equally treacherous."

He added, "Braking smoothly required great effort- mental as well as physical."

The poor operation of the braking system may dissuade buyers, but the rest of the vehicle including its road manner, interior treatment and seats are sure to please.

Calem concluded, "Overall, the S400 Hybrid is a superlative luxury sedan in the S-Class tradition, offering better fuel economy than its brethren as well as green car bragging rights. But we might prefer the back seat to the driver's seat - and leaving the job of driving it smoothly to a professional chauffeur."

Adding in reference to the Mercedes Vision S500 Plug-in Hybrid Concept, "If however, you prefer an S-Class with more get-up-and-go, and want even greater green-car street credibility, just wait."

Though the overall review of the new Mercedes S400 Hybrid is full of rants and raves including remarks about the vehicle's best in class mpg, best seats in any vehicle, sound handling, and great road manners, the poorly executed braking system reduces the vehicle to a try before you buy without a strong recommendation from Calem.

Source:  Edmunds