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.
