2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Review, Pricing, and Specs

We think the ultimate luxury item is a powerful engine, so we’d pay extra to have a high-spec 496-hp V-8 and a more prestigious S580 trunk badge.

Engine, Transmission and Performance

Mercedes offers the S-class sedan with either a 429 hp 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a 3.0-liter turbocharger in the S500 or a 496 hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 in the S580. Both powertrains are equipped with a 48-volt hybrid system and are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive. The S580e plug-in hybrid uses an inline-six and an electric motor to pump out 510 horsepower; all-wheel drive is standard here, too. We splurged in the S-class sedan and put our test equipment on the V-8 model, which delivers impressive acceleration. While every S-class uses air suspension, the optional E-Active Body Control has a “curve” function that subtly leans the car into corners. The S-Class can also be equipped with an all-wheel steering system that makes the big-bodied Merc very easy to maneuver in tight spaces.

Range, Charging and Battery Life

While the EPA hasn’t yet accounted for the S580e’s electric range, we estimate its onboard battery will hold enough electrons to push the S-class more than 40 miles before needing to fire up the inline-six. A 9.6-kW onboard charger is standard and good enough for charging at home, but if you’re hoping to quickly drain the battery on a public charger, you should order the optional 60-kW DC charger.

Real World Fuel Economy and MPG

The six-cylinder S500 is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Stepping up to the V-8-powered S580 drops those estimates to 16 mpg city and 25 highway. We tested the latter on our 75-mph fuel economy route, which is part of the our extensive testing regimen, where it achieved 32 mpg on the highway beating its EPA estimate by nearly 10 mpg. For more information on S-class fuel economy, visit the website EPA website.

Interior, Comfort and Cargo

Inside, the S-class prioritizes the screen. Most of them. The sedan is available with up to five, including a giant central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. The latter works in conjunction with other technologies to create a three-dimensional effect, but—thankfully—it can be turned off if you prefer the screen to have a conventional appearance. There is also an enhanced head-up display that will show navigation directions in augmented reality. Basically, the arrows move and rotate in real time to better assist the driver. The cabin’s build quality and materials meet Mercedes’ upscale standards, and the sedan provides limousine-like accommodations for all passengers, especially those riding in the back. The rear seat area of ​​the new model offers slightly increased headroom and legroom, and it can also be equipped with power-adjustable reclining seats that have extensive massage functions and heating elements. Along with being physically pampered, those in the back should be mentally entertained by the optional rear seat entertainment system that adds two 11.6-inch screens to the back of the seats as well as interactive LED interior lighting.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Sophisticated infotainment systems have become a hallmark of modern luxury cars, and Mercedes capitalizes on that with the latest and greatest interface. The sedan’s center stack is dominated by a large 12.8-inch portrait-style OLED touchscreen, but it doesn’t come with any kind of touchpad or rotary controller. What comes with it is a an improved version of the MBUX Mercedes software which features enhanced voice command functionality and smartphone-like capabilities, including facial recognition and fingerprint scanning. Of course, popular staples like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless charging are standard. It looks great and has a lot of features but is cumbersome with multiple screen touches required to access some functions. The S-class sedan also has a standard Burmester 3D sound system, but the more powerful Burmester 4D stereo is also available.

Safety Features and Driver Assistance

Each four-door S-class is equipped with various standards driver assistance technology, including the ability to park itself and also take preventive measures to protect passengers when it detects an impending collision. This sedan is also available with innovative features including rear seat airbags and active suspension which will lift the car up to reduce the severity of damage during a collision. For more information on class S crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) website. Key safety features include:

• Standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking
• Standard lane departure warning and lane keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Mercedes has very modest warranty coverage compared to the coverage offered by some other luxury brands. For example, Incident offers a limited warranty and a significantly longer powertrain. BMW and Jaguar also has some of the best free maintenance in the biz.

• The limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• No free scheduled maintenance

More Features and Specifications