The automotive world has changed a lot in recent years, especially if you look at the luxury segment. With new competitors popping up and a bigger focus on tech than ever before, things have really been shaken up. Despite this, one model remains the king of luxury after over 50 years on the market, continually pushing boundaries and innovating.
Mercedes-Benz has built its reputation by delivering some of the most comfortable and opulent vehicles that money can buy. At the top of the stack in Mercedes’ lineup sits the S-Class. Even in a world that is increasingly dominated by crossovers and SUVs, it is near impossible to find a car that treats you as well as the S-Class does.
We dive into how the current iteration of the S-Class has lived up to the nameplate’s extensive legacy. We dive into how it has evolved and how much it costs today. Exploring its interior, we see how the German brand puts comfort above everything else. Truly, there is no better luxury experience than that offered in an S-Class.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed and the EPA.
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The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Still Leads The Full-Size Segment
Many things have changed in the automotive industry in the last fifty years. Cars are completely different now to what they were decades ago, packed with technology and features that were only dreamed of. Throughout all this change, the S-Class remains the ultimate luxury sedan, unrivaled by its competitors when it comes to interior comfort and innovative technology.
A Triumphant History
The S-Class technically debuted in 1972, with it being the top of the line W116 that you could buy. The designation has been in use since, dominating the luxury space for over five decades. It has been a platform through which Mercedes has demonstrated its newest and most innovative features and technologies and has ranked as the world’s best-selling luxury sedan.
The full-size luxury sedan segment isn’t what it once was, though. It has been steadily shrinking over the years, with many buyers making the switch to crossovers and SUVs. Despite the downsizing of the segment, the current iteration of the S-Class still stands tall as the most popular model on the market, and for good reason. It isn’t just a status symbol or an icon, but truly a leader in the automotive space.
2025 Trims and Pricing
|
Model |
Starting MSRP |
|---|---|
|
S500 |
$117,750 |
|
S580e |
$128,200 |
|
S580 |
$128,600 |
The S-Class sits well over the six-figure mark, being the most expensive option in the full-size sedan segment in terms of its starting price. The S-Class does not concern itself with value, instead having the goal of simply being the best. It is expensive, yes, but it is untouchable when it comes to interior quality and refinement, with top-notch comfort for those in the front and the back seats.
When you’re dropping well over a hundred thousand dollars on a car, it seems futile to worry about which model offers the best bang-for-your-buck. Once again, you should go with the best option. Thus, we would opt for the S580. It comes with a big turbocharged V-8 and Nappa leather as well as a heated steering wheel as standard equipment.
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The S-Class Features a Classy Yet Futuristic Interior
When buying a full-size luxury sedan, the most important thing is interior comfort. Everything else comes secondary. In this sense, there is no beating the S-Class, with its innovative technology and kit designed to make your commute feel as effortless as possible. Whether you’re driving or being chauffeured, you’ll feel like you’re in a yacht on wheels.
Interior Design and Comfort Features
- Thermotronic 4-Zone Climate Control
- Active Noise Insulation
- Active Ambient Lighting
- Multicontour Seats
- Heated and Ventilated Front/Rear Seats
The S-Class aims to be ahead of the curve when it comes to design. To this end, the interior is exceptionally screen-heavy, with the sedan being available with up to five screens. Despite this clearly forward-thinking approach, the S-Class still manages to retain the opulence that it is known for, with the highest quality materials used throughout.
Despite only having four doors and two rows, you’ll feel like you’re in a limousine whether you’re in the front or the back, with an exceptional amount of room to stretch your legs. Rear-seat comfort is clearly a priority, with the idea that many owners will be driven rather than drive. You can be coddled with power-adjustable reclining seats that feature massaging and heating features.
Infotainment and Technology
This is where the S-Class begins to really show off. A 12.8-inch OLED screen sits in the middle of the dashboard. It is controlled mainly via touch controls, but an incredibly advanced voice assistant can operate most of the vehicle’s systems. In front of the driver is a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, which works in conjunction with other technology to create a 3D effect. It can be turned off if it is too distracting or intrusive, though.
The S-Class features smartphone-esque features, like facial recognition and a fingerprint sensor on the touchscreen which automatically adjusts settings throughout the cabin to your personal preferences. A system also operates to sync up ambient lighting, climate control, massage, and music systems. Audiophiles will be blown away by the standard 3D Burmester sound system, with an even more powerful 4D system available.
Driver-assist technology on the S-Class is also among the best in the world. Beyond the features that you’d expect, such as adaptive cruise control and a plethora of safety warnings, the S-Class offers a 360-degree camera, a night vision feature for the S-Class’s cameras and sensors, and it can park itself. It is also capable of hands-off semi-autonomous driving on some highways.
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The S-Class Delivers Ridiculous Power No Matter Which Model You Choose
While full-size luxury sedans aren’t generally designed to carve corners and clip apexes, the S-Class still delivers some impressive performance. With three models to choose from, the Mercedes-Benz comes with varying levels of power and economy. Above all else, though, the German brand prioritizes a sensationally smooth ride and a quiet cabin.
Performance Specifications
|
Engine |
3.0-Liter Turbo Hybrid Inline-Six |
4.0-Liter Twin-Turbo Hybrid V-8 |
3.0-Liter Turbo PHEV Inline-Six |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Transmission |
9-Speed Automatic |
9-Speed Automatic |
9-Speed Automatic |
|
Horsepower |
442 HP |
496 HP |
510 HP |
|
Torque |
413 HP |
516 LB-FT |
396 LB-FT |
|
Driveline |
AWD |
AWD |
AWD |
|
0-60 MPH |
4.5 Seconds |
3.9 Seconds |
4.2 Seconds |
|
Top Speed |
129 MPH |
129 MPH |
129 MPH |
The 2025 S-Class comes in three distinct flavors. The S500 features a turbocharged inline-six and the S580 a twin-turbo V-8. Both of these two options feature a 48-volt hybrid system. The S580e, however, is a plug-in hybrid, pairing the inline-six and an electric motor to deliver some insane amounts of power. There isn’t a bad choice among the lot.
For a car that can weigh over 5,500 pounds in its heaviest form, it moves astonishingly quick regardless of which engine sits under the hood. Comfort is always the top priority in the S-Class though, which is why every model comes equipped with air suspension as standard. An E-Active Body Control system is available, though, that subtly leans the car into corners to reduce the feeling of body roll. It can also come with an all-wheel-steering system which makes the massive Mercedes impressively nimble in tight spaces.
Fuel Economy
|
Model |
City |
Highway |
Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
|
S500 |
21 MPG |
31 MPG |
24 MPG |
|
S580 |
17 MPG |
25 MPG |
20 MPG |
While we’re not claiming that the S-Class is particularly efficient, Mercedes’ hybrid system in the S500 and S580 does a good job of mitigating the fuel consumption of its excessively powerful engines. In such a large and heavy car, getting up to 31 miles per gallon on the highway is fairly impressive. It also comes with a big 20-gallon tank, meaning it can go up to 480 miles before you run out of fuel.
The plug-in hybrid S580e comes fitted with a 22.7-kWh battery pack, which is pretty good for a PHEV. It comes standard with a 9.6-kW that is good enough for use at home, but those that want fast charging should get the optional 60-kW DC charger. This battery gives the S580e an all-electric range of 48 miles, which is excellent but not as good as the brand’s GLC PHEV. After the battery is depleted, it will do 23 miles per gallon combined.
