The 2012 Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTEC is an amazing machine. Isn’t that expected for $92,550?

Price alone is no guarantee of excellence, but the combination of a 31-mile-per-gallon diesel, all-wheel drive and a staggering array of technological features puts this car in the rare air of luxury sedans.

Let’s start with the seats, the place where you spend the most time. The test car’s multi-contour front seats (part of the $3,630 Premium option) are so comfortable that I would like a pair for my family room. Even the pillow-soft headrest was perfect for me. Aside from adjustability, the cool thing about the multi-contour seats is that when active seating is turned on, outside seat cushions inflate slightly with every turn. The gentle nudge helps counteract the centrifugal force of turning.

The cabin is as ritzy as a castle on the Rhine. Soft leather, polished wood and bright trim convey elegance. The backseat has more-than-ample legroom. A large LCD screen, used for navigation, audio and most other vehicle settings, sits high on the dash under a hood right next to the gauge pod. A knob controller is mounted on the centre console, and the gearshift is a tiny stalk on the right of the steering wheel.

Diesel engines are quiet, clean and no longer emit black smoke. The turbocharged 3.0-litre V-6 delivers 240 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. It accelerates like a V-8, yet fuel economy is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

The seven-speed automatic transmission is silky, and all-wheel drive provides peace of mind regardless of the weather.

A list of the S350’s technological features is long. It has:

Cruise control that maintains a set distance behind the car in front, but it can also bring the car to a stop and resume speed, a handy function for stop-and-go traffic jams.

Torque-vectoring brake control briefly slows the inside real wheel in a sharp corner and that helps the vehicle pivot.

Crosswind stabilization uses the car’s adjustable suspension to offset the effects of strong wind gusts blowing across the road.

A split-view LCD screen in the centre of the dash enables the driver and passenger to view different programs on the same screen at the same time. The driver can see the navigation or audio screen, for example, while the passenger, looking at a different angle, can watch a movie.

Sensors detect the kind of erratic driving that is associated with drowsiness and they alert the driver that it is time for a rest or some coffee.

The steering wheel vibrates should you stray from your lane.

A blind-spot monitor alerts the driver when a vehicle is alongside.

Eight-way adjustable rear seats can be heated or cooled.

Safety features include vehicle stability control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and traction control. Front, side and side-curtain air bags are standard.

Premium luxury cars represent the pinnacle of development and the S350 is an example of the best that Mercedes-Benz has to offer.