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 two models, both equipped with standard 4Matic all-wheel drive—the S500 and S580—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 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, the 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.
Life in the lavish Mercedes-Benz S-class goes uninterrupted for 2023 with only subtle changes to the available paint and upholstery 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.
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. We’ve luxuriated in the S-class sedan and put our test equipment on the V-8 model, which delivered impressive acceleration. 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 makemodels the big-bodied Merc surprisingly easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
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. For more information about the S-class’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
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 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.
