For three decades the Lincoln Town Car was America’s black car — a big, soft, body-on-frame V8 sedan with a huge back seat and trunk, cheap to run and nearly indestructible. Today, premium chauffeured sedan service is defined by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class — quieter, safer, far more advanced and designed around the rear passenger with executive seats, rear airbags and air suspension. The Town Car was the workhorse of mass-market car service; the S-Class is the benchmark for executive travel.

At a glance

Lincoln Town Car (final generation) Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W223)
Years 1998–2011 2020–today
Construction Body-on-frame Unibody
Drive Rear-wheel drive All-wheel drive (U.S.)
Engine 4.6L V8 Inline-six, V8, plug-in hybrid
Rear-seat features Spacious bench Executive seats, massage, climate zones, screens
Safety Front and side airbags, ABS Rear airbags, Pre-Safe, advanced driver assistance

The Town Car’s strengths

  • Space: a wide rear bench and deep trunk.
  • Durability: hundreds of thousands of miles in fleet service.
  • Economics: cheap parts and simple repairs.
  • Softness: a pillowy ride on rough city streets.

Read the Lincoln Town Car history and the Town Car era in NYC.

The S-Class’s advantages

  • Refinement: far quieter and smoother, with active suspension.
  • Safety: decades of advances, including rear airbags and collision avoidance.
  • Comfort: reclining, heated, ventilated, massaging rear seats.
  • Technology: connectivity and charging for working on the move.

Read the S-Class rear-seat guide.

What changed in the industry

When the Town Car ended in 2011, the black car market split: many fleets moved to SUVs and hybrids, while premium services moved up to the S-Class. Passengers now expect more technology and comfort than the Town Car era offered.