If you could only sit in one place, for the rest of your life, you could do a lot worse than to pick a seat from the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S Class. As we noted in our first drive of the new S63 AMG, they’re better described as thrones.

But that’s just one example of how good the new S Class is. If you’re after technology, power, prestige, or just polished, perfected competence on the road, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S Class is the no-holds-barred pick. It’s simply a very good car.

It’s a great car, in fact, if you’re an executive, especially if you have a driver. If you don’t, you might not have the budget to afford it—and if you’re the sort of executive who prefers to drive, you might opt for something a bit more compact, more extreme, or more visually exciting.

Ultimately, the 2014 S Class is an attempt by one of the most established luxury brands on the planet to build the best car possible. While it shies away from the ostentation of a Rolls-Royce or a Bentley, it doesn’t hold back much in terms of materials, equipment, or force-of-nature power. But is it the best car to buy this year?

That’s a tricky question.

For your $130,000-plus you might buy a new Porsche 911 Turbo S (though that would be closer to the $200,000 mark). You could opt instead for a McLaren MP4-12C (nearer the $250,000 mark). Or you might find a less-expensive alternative in the 2014 Audi RS 7—another Motor Authority Best Car To Buy nominee. But none of those hit the same sweet spot the S Class does, especially when trimmed out as an S63 AMG.

With 577 horsepower and a stunning 664 pound-feet of torque on tap, the S63 AMG is, almost surprisingly, more civilized than it is potent. The best of the S Class’s refinement and reservation comes to the forefront of the S63 AMG driving experience. But when you find a long, straight stretch of road, opening the throttle plate on the S63 takes you into territory more commonly trod by NASA’s best.

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (S500)

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (S500)

That’s not to call the regular S Class mincemeat, however. As we said in our first drive of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550, “For decades it's been one of the benchmarks of the car world--so much so, whole luxury brands have been aimed at it--and this year it's mounting some fresh hardware to back up the sweeping statement with more hard evidence than ever.”

As bold as that statement is, it’s not overstatement; it’s merely recognizing the truth of the matter. The S Class is even pushing the boundaries of what a car can do on its own—as both vehicle and driver.

The S Class is, clearly, an excellent car, and the new 2014 version is the best yet. Will it be the Motor Authority Best Car to Buy 2014? It’s up against some of the best in the business—but to learn more about the car, be sure to read The Car Connection’s full review.

Stay tuned for the announcement of our Best Car to Buy winner on November 12.