The Evolution of Automobiles

Having your own automobile gives you a sense of independence and freedom. You no longer have to depend on others for rides or alter your schedule to fit that of your friends or family members. You also don’t have to wait for buses or public transportation, which can be frustrating and limiting.

With the advent of the automobile, new industries and services sprung up. These included factories to make the cars, oil and gasoline suppliers, and convenience stores that provided fuel and car-related supplies. New jobs were created for those who made and maintained the vehicles. New laws and regulations were established for safety and traffic. And leisure activities grew, resulting in services like motels, restaurants and amusement parks.

The modern automobile has come a long way since Leonardo da Vinci’s designs and models in the late 1500s. The current generation is objectively better in every measurable way—faster, safer, handles more precisely, keeps occupants comfortable and secure, has advanced technology and is even more eco-friendly than its predecessors.

Whether you prefer a sporty sedan (Audi A4 Allroad, Mercedes-Benz C300) with great handling and off-road capabilities or a utility vehicle with plenty of cargo space and rugged body cladding (Subaru Outback, Audi RS6 Avant), there’s an SUV for everyone. But if you want something that combines sedan-like handling and aerodynamics with SUV-like capacity and capability at an affordable price, there are few options that match the Mercedes S-Class. It reaches 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and offers the kind of refinement you don’t see in most luxury wagons.