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Overview
The Mercedes-Benz S-class maintains superiority by being the full-size luxury sedan by which all others are judged. The S-class satisfies the tastes of its moneyed clientele with stacks of fine materials, deep-seated comfort, and loads of technology. There are three models, each equipped with standard 4Matic all-wheel drive—the S500, S580, and S580e—each with an exclusive powertrain. The S500 comes with a silken, 429-hp turbocharged straight-six, while the S580 bosses up with a smooth 496-hp V-8. The plug-in hybrid S580e makes 510 horsepower and can travel around 58 miles on electricity alone. The Mercedes-Maybach S-class super-luxury model, reviewed separately, offers an absolutely decadent experience. Although the S-class's priority to comfort and swankiness is obvious from the thick leather thrones in the front and rear rows, its standard air suspension completes the experience by turning the road to velvet. And the optional E-Active Body Control will even lean the car into corners to help you avoid spilling any of your champagne cocktail—which you are enjoying in the comfort of the available power-adjustable, reclining rear seats with their heated massage function. The S-class does a brilliant job of making the good life real.
What's New for 2023?
A new plug-in hybrid S580e model joins the lineup this year and features a 510-hp hybrid powertrain that's comprised of an inline-six and an electric motor. Otherwise, life in the lavish Mercedes-Benz S-class goes uninterrupted for 2023 with only subtle changes to the available paint and upholstery options.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-class starts at $115,650 and goes up to $125,150 depending on the trim and options.
We think the ultimate luxury item is a powerful engine, so we'd pay extra to have the top-spec 496-hp V-8 and the more prestigious S580 trunk-lid badge.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Mercedes offers the S-class sedan with either a 429-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine on the S500 or a 496-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 on the S580. Both powertrains are supplemented by a 48-volt hybrid system and pair 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 as well. We've luxuriated in the S-class sedan and put our test equipment on every model, all of which have delivered impressive acceleration. At our test track, the six-cylinder S500 hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, the plug-in hybrid S580e did it in 4.2, and the V-8–powered S580 managed a 3.9-second time. While every S-class rides on an 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 surprisingly easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The EPA estimates the S580e's electric range should be 46 miles, giving it a lengthy head start before its inline-six engine awakens. However, during our range test, it managed 58 miles, which as of 2023, is 14 miles more than any PHEV we've previously tested. A 9.6-kW onboard charger is standard and is good enough for charging its 22.7 kWh battery at home, but if you're hoping to quickly juice the battery on a public charger, you should order the optional 60-kW DC charger.
Fuel Economy and Real-World 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've tested the latter on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, where it achieved 32 mpg on the highway beating its EPA estimate by nearly 10 mpg. Meanwhile, the S580e plug-in hybrid managed 36 mpg during that same test, after its battery was depleted. For more information about the S-class's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Inside, the S-class prioritizes screens. Lots of them. The sedan is available with up to five, including a giant center touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. The latter works in concert with other technology to create a three-dimensional effect, but—thankfully—it can be turned off if you'd prefer the screens to have a conventional appearance. There's also an enhanced head-up display that will show navigation directions in augmented reality. Basically, arrows move and turn in real-time to supposedly better assist the driver. The build quality and cabin materials live up to Mercedes' upscale standards, and the sedan provides limousine-like accommodations for all passengers, specifically those riding in the back. The new model's rear-seat area offers slightly increased headroom and legroom, and it can also be equipped with power-adjustable reclining seats that have massage functions and extensive heating elements. Along with being physically coddled, those in the back should be mentally entertained by the optional rear-seat entertainment system that adds two 11.6-inch screens on the front seatbacks as well as the interactive LED interior lighting.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A cutting-edge infotainment system has become a hallmark of modern luxury cars, and Mercedes makes good on that with its latest and greatest interface. The sedan's center stack is dominated by a huge 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen that sits portrait-style, but it doesn't come with any sort of touchpad or rotary controller. What it does come with is an enhanced version of Mercedes' MBUX software that features improved voice-command functions and smartphone-esque capability, including facial recognition and fingerprint scanning. Of course, popular staples such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless charging are standard. It looks great and has many features but is complicated with multiple screen touches required to access some of the functions. The S-class sedan also has a standard Burmester 3D sound system, but a more powerful Burmester 4D stereo is available, too.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Every four-door S-class comes with an array of standard driver-assistance technology, including the ability to park itself and even take preventative measures to protect passengers when it detects an imminent collision. The sedan is also available with innovative features that include rear-seat airbags and an active suspension that will lift the car up to reduce the severity of damage during a collision. For more information about the S-class's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated 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 surprisingly mediocre warranty coverage compared with the protection that's offered by some other luxury brands. For example, Genesis offers a significantly longer limited and powertrain warranty. BMW and Jaguar also have some of the best complimentary maintenance in the biz.
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Expert Review
Reviewed by Willis Kuelthau
Aside from a few new paint and upholstery options, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class returns unchanged. The S-Class is the brand's flagship sedan, the Mercedes-Benz of Mercedes-Benzes. Although the crown is always under threat from luxury heavyweights like the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, and Tesla Model S , there's still nothing quite like an S-Class.
What We Think
The S-Class is a pillar of the Mercedes-Benz brand. It may not be their top seller, but it is the richest manifestation of the luxury and technology that have come to define the three-pointed star.
The latest iteration carries the torch with grace. It's dripping in technology, from the giant OLED touchscreen to the endless list of active safety aids. Underneath all the bells and whistles, it's quite a good car, managing a remarkable blend of comfort and responsiveness. Every powertrain is smooth and forceful, and the interior coddles passengers with exotic leather and extensive legroom.
There are a few signs that the S-Class is losing its edge. Cheaper switchgear pokes through here and there, and the styling is more evolution than revolution. The S-Class was good enough to make it to the finals of our 2021 Car of the Year roundup, but not exciting enough to take home top honors. The greatest existential threat to the S-Class may come from inside the house, as the electrified Mercedes-Benz EQS-Class vies for the flagship role.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The 2023 S-Class is available with four powertrains. All are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
The S500 has a 3.0-liter turbo inline-six that teams up with a mild hybrid system to make 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes-Benz claims a 0-60 time under five seconds, and the EPA estimates fuel economy at 21/30 mpg city/highway.
The S580 ups the ante with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 pumping out 496 hp and 516 lb-ft. When we tested the S580, it dispatched the 0-60 sprint in four seconds flat. The Mercedes-Maybach S580 uses the exact same powertrain, but its extra weight drops fuel economy from 16/25 mpg to 15/24 mpg.
The S580e plug-in hybrid was a latecomer to the lineup and pairs the inline-six engine with an electric motor to produce 510 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Launches to 60 mph can come as quickly as 4.5 seconds. The S-Class PHEV is estimated to get 51 mpg-e combined and offers 46 miles of all-electric range.
The king of the lineup is the Mercedes-Maybach S680, which tunes the V-8 up to an eye-watering 621 hp and 664 lb-ft. Despite weighing over 5,000 pounds, the limousine will do 0-60 in 4.4 seconds. Fuel economy is predictably poor at 12/21 mpg.
S or EQS?
With the new EQS-Class, Mercedes-Benz declared its priorities. The most futuristic tech will now debut in the electric version of its flagship sedan.
The most obvious evidence is the 56-inch Hyperscreen, which covers almost the entire dashboard of the EQS-Class. It's astonishing, impressive, and slightly gimmicky. But it's also groundbreaking, and that gives the EQS-Class an edge over the classic S-Class.
The electric sedan has a few more advantages, too. It has much more cargo space, and a split-folding rear seat makes it more practical. The ride is a marvel of pillowy serenity, enhanced by the quietude of all-electric propulsion.
There are still good reasons to choose the S-Class. The styling of the EQS may be original, but we wouldn't go so far as to call it pretty. Mercedes-Benz hasn't perfected brake feel in electric cars yet, so the S-Class delivers a far more intuitive driving experience.
Over time, however, we expect electric power to win out. Mercedes-Benz will continue to pour resources into EV development, and the transition toward alternative powertrains is only gaining momentum.
Safety Ratings and Features
As befits a flagship Mercedes-Benz sedan, the brand's best safety tech is all standard. You'll find the usual suspects, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. There are also a few new technologies, including Car-to-X communication, which allows the S-Class to communicate with a central notification system to warn you and other drivers of hazards before you reach them. Other standard features include lane keeping assist, a 360-degree camera system, automatic high-beams, and driver attention monitors.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Cargo capacity is a rare miss for the S-Class. Passengers have plenty of room, but the S-Class has much less space for luggage than a BMW 7 Series.
Cargo space (behind second row):
- 2023 S-Class: 12.9 cubic feet
- 2023 7 Series: 18.2 cubic feet (non-hybrid variants)
Legroom (first/second rows):
- 2023 S-Class: 41.7/43.8 inches
- 2023 7 Series: 41.2/43.3 inches
Technology
The S-Class has historically provided a venue for Mercedes-Benz to flex its technological muscle. This generation isn't quite as groundbreaking, but it remains the best implementation of the brand's MBUX tech.
A central portrait-oriented 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen is the center of attention. It's a joy to use, but we appreciate that Mercedes-Benz hasn't followed Tesla's lead and forced everything to run through one screen—the driver still gets a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. The built-in voice activation software has grown impressively smart, and nearly any task can be executed by verbal means. Navigation, surround sound, wireless charging, and wireless smartphone compatibility all come standard. The system recognizes drivers by fingerprint (or, optionally, facial scanning) and restores individual memory settings.
It all feels very futuristic, and nearly all features are included on every trim. The only options left to add are an augmented reality head-up display, an even more elaborate surround sound system, a 3D instrument cluster, and Wi-Fi capability.
Trim Levels
The S-Class comes in four flavors: S500, S580, Mercedes-Maybach S580, and Mercedes-Maybach S680. Even the cheapest S-Class costs more than $110,000, and the most expensive pushes past $200,000.
For executives who will primarily use the back seat, Maybach trims are opulent enough to consider as an alternative to a Rolls-Royce Phantom ; versions like the Maybach Night Series show that Mercedes offers personalization choices akin to its storied British competitors. For most drivers, though, the humble S500 is more than enough. It's already faster than most sedans on the road, and the best tech features are included standard. Every S-Class is a good S-Class.
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