The S-Class is the undoubted champion of all vehicles ever produced by Mercedes. Being the frontrunner of the brand, the S-Class underlines what Mercedes is currently capable of attaining in terms of technology and general automotive performance. First built in 1972, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has undergone an incredible transformation over the decades to become a true benchmark for other automakers.
But the question is, what makes this vehicle a drivers’ favorite? Here is a complete picture of what the Mercedes-Benz S-Class offers.
Price and Value
The price you will pay for a Mercedes S-Class depends on several factors, including the trim level you pick and the year the model was produced. The convertible and coupe trims start from $138,600 and $130,150, respectively. The third segment is the base sedan, which starts at $94,250 but can be even more affordable on the used market.
The S-Class consistently ranks as one of the best sedans in the market currently and delivers a lot for the price. Some trims, for instance, can exceed 155 mph thanks to the twin-turbo V6 engine that produces more than 362 horsepower.
Size and Seating Capacity
The S-Class sedan boasts 18.7 cubic feet of trunk space, which is superb for a high-end luxury car. In the coupe, you’ll find 10.4 cubic feet of space. The S-Class convertible has 6.9 cubic feet of space with the roof down and 12.4 cubic feet with the roof up.
Most trims of the S-Class sedan seats five adults in their standard configuration, while the convertible, coupe, and other higher sedan trims seat four adults. The front seats in all models are impressively supple, and the sedan trims offer superb rear-seat comfort and space.
Standard seating features include power soft-closing doors, leather upholstery, a power rear-window sunshade, and 16-way power-adjustable heated front seats. If child safety is one of your concerns, the S-Class has it covered with two complete LATCH connectors for the rear outboard seats.
Battery, Range and Engine Specs
Your options start among three supercharged petrol engines and one diesel engine with either a 9G Tronic 9-speed transmission or an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 9-speed automatic transmission. For the base motor in either sedan, convertible, or coupe, there is a 3.0L V6 engine that delivers 369 lb-ft of torque and 362 horsepower. The base engine is rated 13 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway and takes 3.5 seconds to hit the 60 mph mark.
Upgrade to the S 560MATIC or the S560, and you’ll get an even more powerful 4.0L V8 twin-turbo engine that delivers 516 lb-ft of torque and 463 horsepower. Last but not least is the performance-oriented S 63 model, again on sale as a coupe, sedan, or convertible. In AMG’s true spirit, this model gets an impressive 664 lb-ft of torque and 603 horsepower for a 0 to 60 time of only 3.4 seconds.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class offers the S 65 model powered by a hand-built 6.0L twin-turbocharged V12 engine rated for up to 13 mpg in town and 22 mpg on the highway between charges. Another option is the Maybach S 650 sedan, which has a 6.0L V12 twin-turbo engine that gets 21 mpg on the highway and 13 mpg in the city.
Trims and Features
The Mercedes Benz S-Class shares the same optional and standard options among its trim levels. These optional features include heated rear and front seats with massaging capability, heated front armrests, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Heated and cooled rear cupholders, quad-zone climate control, heated windshield, and rear wireless charging are also available. Even as standard, you’ll find the features list appealing, with two 12.3-inch infotainment screens placed atop the dashboard, one of which is fully dedicated to furnishing you with info that a typical cluster would. If the pair is not enough to watch over vitals, a head-up display can be an excellent addition.
Other equipment you’ll get on all S-Class models include a panoramic sunroof, AIRMATIC adaptive sir suspension, 16-way heated front seats, and adaptive LED beams with an extra-wide beam.
Instead of trim levels, the S-Class is organized in terms of powertrain: V12, V8, or V6. The base motor has a superb twin-turbo 3.0L V6 that gives out 369 pound-feet of torque and 362 horsepower. The S 450 can clock 60 mph in just 5 seconds thanks to its smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission.
Going up a notch to V12 power, the AMG S 65 gets a twin-turbo 6.0L engine that gives out a mind-blowing 738 pound-feet of torque and 621 horsepower. The V8-powered AMG S 63 clocks 60 mph in a mere 3.4 seconds, making it the fastest sedan out there.
Safety
The 2019 S-Class hasn’t been crash-tested by the IHHS, yet. As you might expect from a vehicle of this caliber, plenty of safety features are standard, including blind-spot monitors, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Safety options for all models include a surround-view camera system and night vision.
The S-Class body is manufactured from high-textile strength material, offering superb protection in case of high-impact collision. Additionally, a modern airbag system caps off this protection, offering a better safety experience no matter what the road throws at you.
The latest models of the S-Class come with advanced safety technology features such as ATTENTION ASSIST. This intelligent driver-assist system is the first of its kind, keeping track of up to 70 contexts of driving behavior. Another excellent addition is the PRE SAFE safety feature, which reacts to possible rollovers or collisions by closing the sunroof/windows, tightening the front seatbelts, and adjusting the front passenger seat.
Reliability
The Mercedes S-Class remains one of the most reliable sedans out there. JD Power and Associates currently ranks it at 3.5 out of 5 for all model years and says there are no recalls issued for manufacturing defects. All S-Class models benefit from a 50,000-mile or a 48-month factory warranty that helps to cover defects in workmanship or material. You can also select two or three years of extra warranty to keep the already reliable S-Class in tip-top condition. If you like superior performance without compromising on reliability, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has many suitable options.
The Takeaway
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class delivers legendary performance and opulent luxury, so it’s no surprise that the S-Class ranks as one of the best vehicles ever made. Price aside, current S-Class models thoroughly reflect their 20th-century origin with tasteful styling, reliable motors, and superb handling. Good fuel economy, robust performance, cutting-edge safety features, and great mileage help define the S-Class as one of the best sedans on the market.
Its diminutive size makes it ideal for driving in big cities while its unmatched range makes road trips quite affordable. Four decades of the factory and after-shopping support means you can customize a Mercedes S-Class to your exact preferences. The fact that the S-Class is pricier than comparable luxury autos may be off-putting to some Mercedes buffs.
