Mercedes-Benz S500 (Brabus kit)

S-Class comfort, a sharper look

The Mercedes-Benz S500 is a luxury saloon first. Its Brabus kit gives it a more assertive look, but the appeal on a Dubai drive is still the calm cabin and composed ride. It feels settled on Sheikh Zayed Road and takes the stop-start pace around Downtown in its stride. This is a car to arrive in feeling unhurried, not one you need to make a show of driving.

Best with somewhere to go

It suits business visits, airport collections and weddings particularly well. There is space to bring colleagues or family, while the rear seats make a good place to sit back after a flight. The Brabus styling also gives it a distinct presence for a photo shoot without losing the formality of an S-Class.

For a longer outing, the S500 makes sense on the road to Abu Dhabi. Back in Dubai, give this full-size saloon a little room in tight Marina parking spaces and take hotel entrance speed bumps gently.

What is under the bonnet

This four-door, five-seat sedan has a 3.0L turbo inline-six mild-hybrid petrol engine producing 429 hp, paired with an automatic transmission. It has the performance for open roads, but its easy, quiet manner is what makes it useful for a day moving between meetings, hotels and dinner.

Hiring the S500

The daily rate is AED 1,102, with insurance included. Drivers must be at least 21. There is no security deposit on this car. Free delivery and pickup are available in Dubai, so you can arrange the car around your plans rather than make a separate trip to collect it. Every rental includes 250 km per day.