Mercedes-Benz S-Class Review 2026

September 2020

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class revealed

The seventh-generation model of Mercedes-Benz's flagship saloon will arrive in 2021. It features similar design langauge to the latest E-Class and CLS, including slim LED headlights and a prominent front grille.

Inside, Mercedes-Benz says its designers have created a feel-good ambience with lounge character marked by elegance, high quality and lightness. The dashboard with its new architecture, modern surface design and ergonomic display arrangement is a particular highlight. But the feel-good aspect goes even deeper: With high ride quality and low noise levels as well as an extensive range of Energizing Comfort programmes, the S-Class looks after the well-being of its passengers. They also stay fit thanks to the effective air filtering system, which signals its newly gained capability with the new name Energizing Air Control.

The S-Class has always been a place for comfortable travel and relaxed working. With the new generation, the interior has fully evolved into a "third place", a refuge between the home and workplace. Nearly all comfort-related dimensions of both variants, the S-Class with short and long wheelbase, have been improved in the front as well as on the rear seats. The sense of space is accordingly generous.

As we've come to expect from the S-Class, it's also loaded with technology. This includes the second-generation of MBUX, which features up to three screens. A new 3D driver display allows spatial perception of the scene with a real 3D effect thanks to eye-tracking. A similarly impressive feature is the very large head-up display with augmented reality content. When navigating, for example, animated turn-off arrows are virtually and precisely projected onto the road lane.

The latest generation of the Driving Assistance Package has new and numerous improved functions. One example is the intelligent compliance with speed limits. The new assistance display in the driver display clearly shows the operating principle of the driving assistance systems as a full-screen view.

More than 50 electronic components in the new S-Class can be updated with new software over-the-air (OTA). These include the entire MBUX infotainment system, the driver display, the driving assistance systems and the Multibeam LED and Digital Light lighting systems. This technology saves the customer time, as he/she does not need to visit a workshop for this purpose. Furthermore, the vehicle remains up to date throughout its lifecycle and is equipped for new features.

It is expected that from the second half of 2021 the S-Class will be able to drive in conditionally automated mode with the new Drive Pilot (optional extra), in situations where traffic density is high or in tailbacks, on suitable motorway sections in Germany. By taking pressure off the driver, this allows them to undertake secondary activities such as browsing on the internet or dealing with emails in the In-Car Office, and so win extra time.

The revolutionary headlamp technology Digital Light (optional extra) allows completely new functions, e.g. the projection of marking aids or warning symbols onto the road ahead. In each headlamp, Digital Light has a light module with three extremely powerful LEDs with light that is refracted and directed by 1.3 million micro-mirrors. The resolution is therefore more than 2.6 million pixels per vehicle.

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class will go on sale in September, with S350d, S400d 4Matic and S500 4Matic variants available from launch. First deliveries are expected in December.

September 2020

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class priced from £78,705

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is now on sale, with prices starting from £78,705 on-the-road for the standard wheelbase S 350 d AMG Line.

The S 350 d features an inline six-cylinder diesel engine, which produces 286PS and 600Nm of torque. It emits 173g/km of CO2 and delivers between 40.4 and 42.8 combined mpg (39.2 and 39.8mpg for LWB). It can reach 62mph from standstill in 6.4 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

Priced from £94,135, the S 400 d 4MATIC - only available in long wheelbase – uses an inline six-cylinder diesel engine, producing 330PS and 700Nm. It emits 192g/km of CO2 and delivers between 37.7 and 38.7mpg on the combined cycle. It can travel from 0 to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds and also has an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

The petrol-powered S 500 4MATIC – with prices starting from £89,105 – produces 435PS and 520Nm of torque and can sprint to 62mph in just 4.9 seconds. The S 500 uses EQ Boost which features an integrated starter-generator powered by the 48V on-board electrical system – this also enables certain hybrid functions, ultimately improving overall performance and efficiency. As a result, the S 500 delivers between 32.8 and 34.9mpg (31.7 and 32.5mpg for the long wheel-base variant) and emits 184g/km of CO2.

All models come as standard with a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission. The S 400 d and S 500 are also now available with 4MATIC all-wheel-drive.

The new S-Class features the next generation of Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen central display, a 12.3-inch digital driver display, plus an MBUX tablet – which can be used as a fully-fledged tablet outside of the vehicle, including the ability to download Android apps (MBUX tablet is available as part of the Executive line). The driver display is also optionally available with 3D technology, including facial recognition which can monitor driver drowsiness and exterior mirror settings.

The ‘Hey Mercedes’ virtual assistant is also more intelligent than ever, now recognising instructions or requests from any seat in the car.

The Driving Assistance Package is now standard equipment on all S-Class variants, and includes updates to various features such as:

Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC - responds to stationary road users to prevent collisions up to 80 mph (previously 37 mph)
Traffic Sign Assist – now warns of inadvertently running a stop sign or red light
Active Lane Keeping Assist – uses active steering intervention (instead of braking intervention) and can indicate potential hazards via the ambient lighting
Active Evasive Steering Assist – responds to cyclists and ends of tailbacks in addition to pedestrians. Operating range on urban routes has been expanded to 67 mph (previously 44 mph)
Standard equipment on AMG Line short wheelbase - 350 d and 500 4MATIC only – includes 19-inch AMG five-spoke light alloy wheels; Nappa Leather upholstery; 12.8-inch OLED media display with augmented navigation and 12.3-inch driver display; KEYLESS GO with seamless door handles and soft close doors; heated seats front and rear; memory seats and wireless charging in the front; Driving Assistance package; MBUX premium; MULTIBEAM Intelligent Light System and reversing camera.

AMG Line Premium (available on short and long wheelbase models, from £85,200) offers 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels; Burmester® 3D Surround sound system with sound personalisation; a panoramic sliding sunroof; 12.3-inch 3D driver display; remote parking package including 360° camera and active ambient lighting. Long wheelbase models add electrically adjustable rear seats with memory, luxury head restraints and climatised rear outer seats.

AMG Line Premium Plus adds augmented reality head-up display; DIGITAL LIGHT with ULTRA RANGE high beam; 21-inch AMG multispoke alloy wheels; ENERGIZING Comfort Package; AIR BALANCE; heated centre armrest (front only) and heated front and rear door armrests, plus heated steering wheel and windscreen; active multi-contour, climatised front seats and luxury head restraints. AMG Line Premium Plus is only available on long wheelbase models and starts from £95,695.

For another £3,795, the range-topping Executive line can be added to either Premium or Premium Plus long wheelbase models, and includes MBUX rear tablet with 7-inch touchscreen; electric sun blinds in rear doors and rear window; double sun visors with pivoting section; chauffeur package with a foldable, removable head restraint on front passenger seat; the front passenger seat adjustable from the rear; and electrically extendable footrest on the back of the front passenger seat.

July 2021

Mercedes S-Class range updated with new plug-in hybrid model

The S 580 e L plug-in hybrid is now on sale with prices starting from £104,490 for the S 580 e L AMG Line Premium. The top-of-the-range S 580 e L AMG Line Premium Plus Executive costs £113,880.

The newest S-Class features a 3.0-litre straight-six engine, capable of producing 367 hp, combined with a 28.6 kWh battery. The battery produces 150 hp and allows the S 580 e L to travel for up to 63 miles on electric alone. The S 580 e L can deliver up to 353.1 mpg and emits just 18 g/km of CO 2 .

The lithium-ion battery can be charged using a DC rapid charger in 20 minutes (10-80%) and under four hours using a 7.4 kW home wallbox.

A 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission is standard across the S-Class range.

The new S-Class features the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen central display, a 12.3-inch digital driver display, plus an MBUX tablet – which can be used as a fully-fledged tablet outside of the vehicle, including the ability to download Android apps (MBUX tablet is available as part of the Executive line). The driver display is also optionally available with 3D technology, including facial recognition which can monitor driver drowsiness and exterior mirror settings.

The ‘Hey Mercedes’ virtual assistant is also more intelligent than ever, now recognising instructions or requests from any seat in the car.

The Driving Assistance Package is now standard equipment on all S-Class models, and includes updates to various features such as:

• Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC - responds to stationary road users to prevent collisions up to 80 mph (previously 37 mph)
• Traffic Sign Assist – now warns of inadvertently running a stop sign or red light
• Active Lane Keeping Assist – uses active steering intervention (instead of braking intervention) and can indicate potential hazards via the ambient lighting
• Active Evasive Steering Assist – responds to cyclists and ends of tailbacks in addition to pedestrians. Operating range on urban routes has been expanded to
  67 mph (previously 44 mph)

AMG Line Premium comes with the following standard equipment:
20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels; Burmester ® 3D Surround sound system with sound personalisation; panoramic sliding sunroof; 12.3-inch 3D driver display; remote parking package including 360° camera and active ambient lighting; electrically adjustable rear seats with memory package; luxury head restraints and climatised rear outer seats.

AMG Line Premium Plus – costing £109,385 – adds augmented reality head-up display; Digital Light with Ultra Range high beam; 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels; Energizing Comfort Package; Air Balance; heated centre armrest (front only) and heated front and rear door armrests, plus heated steering wheel and windscreen; active multi-contour, climatised front seats and luxury head restraints.

For another £3,795, the range-topping Executive line can be added to either Premium or Premium Plus models, and includes the MBUX rear tablet with 7-inch touchscreen; electric sun blinds in rear doors and rear window; double sun visors with pivoting section; chauffeur package with a foldable, removable head restraint on the front passenger seat; front passenger seat adjustable from the rear; and electrically extendable footrest behind the front passenger seat.