2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan

Performance

The S 500 has the lowest-powered engine in the lineup. However, it delivers 442 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque from a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a mild-hybrid powertrain and an electric auxiliary compressor. The engine is mated to a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to all four wheels through the 4MATIC® all-wheel-drive system. The drivetrain propels the big sedan from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. For all its power, it returns a boast-worthy 21 mpg in the city, 31 on the highway, and a combined 24.

The S 580e, which adds an electric motor to a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine, delivers a combined 503 hp. It enables 47 miles of emission-free driving, which may well cover your commute or average daily drive. If so, when charged every night, the S 580e 4MATIC® can operate as an emission-free, smooth, and quiet electric vehicle until you take an extended trip. Beyond its 47-mile EV range, the S 580e operates as a conventional hybrid with 503 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. The EPA rates its gas consumption equivalent to 55 MPGe in the city and 68 MPGe on the highway. The S 580e can charge overnight with a regular household outlet or in 2.25 hours with a Level 2 charger.

The S 580 (sans “e”) is another way to step up power, with a 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 that produces 496 hp @ 5,500 rpm and 516 lb-ft of torque starting at just 2,000 rpm, which is a little above idle. It’s connected to the same nine-speed automatic and 4MATIC® drivetrain. EPA rates it at 17 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway.

If you are really in a hurry or just want everything the S-Class has to offer, there is the AMG® S 63 E Performance Sedan. It starts with an AMG® 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 handcrafted by an AMG® master engine builder. The engine is equipped with a 150-kW rear-mounted electric motor. Combined system power is 791 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm and a truly impressive 1,055 lb-ft of torque peaking at 2,500-4,500 rpm. The motor primarily assists with acceleration, which it does to the tune of 0-60 in 3.3 seconds—an astounding figure for a full-size, feature-laden luxury sedan. The model can also operate on electricity alone for 16 miles. The drivetrain’s partner is an AMG® SPEEDSHIFT® MCT nine-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to all four wheels through a special AMG® Performance 4MATIC® all-wheel-drive system. The EPA also rates this vehicle in MPGe, which is 46 in the city and 53 on the highway.

All S-Class models waft elegantly on the road, equipped with a four-wheel multi-link suspension, an AIRMATIC® air spring, and self-leveling suspension. Standard on the AMG® S 63 E Performance and available on the other models is an E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL variation of the AIRMATIC® suspension with a “curve” function that can subtly lean the vehicle into corners. Also available is an all-wheel-steering system that makes the big sedan surprisingly easy to maneuver in tight spaces. There is an optional AMG® High Performance Carbon Ceramic Braking System to counter the available 186-mph increased top speed.

Exterior

The S-Class is a model that doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone. It offers all the familiar Mercedes-Benz cues on a full-size-plus sedan canvas. Up front, the S 500 and both S 580 models feature the classic chrome radiator grille, while the AMG® S 63 E Performance wears the AMG® shark-nose grille. Along the side, the brand’s signature semi-circular shape of the side windows and subtle contours are present, with nary a fender vent or other ostentatious detail. It is this less-is-more approach that keeps the S-Class timeless through the decades.

Picture an S-Class in your mind, and you probably see a black vehicle, but the S-Class is available in 40 exterior colors—three of which are indeed variations of black, but there are also blues, greens, browns, and golds, and a very deep red. Half of the selections are MANUFAKTUR® exteriors, which are particularly intense, high-quality finishes, many with a pearl-lustre effect.

Interior

There is no shortage of heritage in an S-Class, yet the model does not rest on it. The interior is as high-tech as they come while still maintaining a sense of warmth, opulence, and dignity. Before the driver sits, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is configurable with multiple display options, including one that shows the navigation map and directions while still displaying relevant driving data. The 12.8-inch portrait-format center touchscreen curves upward from the center console and appears to rest casually against the dash surface. That surface can have six open-pore finishes, including different woods in open-pore colors with thin horizontal aluminum inlays. This can extend to in front of the passenger, or the front passenger can have an interactive screen. An available head-up display offers another way to access information.

The easy-to-use transmission selector is a stalk to the right of the steering column, freeing up considerable space in the center console. The elegant aluminum-trimmed three-spoke steering wheel features a full set of controls on each side, so well organized that after a short time, you are likely to always select the correct one without looking.

Throughout, you will find elegant, high-quality materials and finishes, including the seating. Leather and Nappa leather are available, with over 25 color choices, including unexpected hues such as Yacht Blue, Carmine Red, and Pastel Yellow.

The S-Class cabin is designed to hold five adults. The 41.4 inches of front legroom is exceeded at the rear, where it measures 43.8 inches. Rear passengers also enjoy 59 inches of shoulder room. You will find unexpected features such as a cabin fragrance system, heat- and noise-insulating, IR-reflecting laminated glass, and ENERGIZING kinetics for the front seats. The latter has the cushions, backrests, and lumbar support subtly adjusted on an ongoing basis. These imperceptible changes can help reduce muscle fatigue and increase spinal comfort during long drives. This is in addition to the standard 12-way power adjustments for both front seats.

Technology

There is an almost endless amount of advanced technology in the S-Class. The standard Burmester 3D Surround Sound** offers immersive, personalized audio, as expected. However, a high-end 4D option integrates resonators into the seats for music you can feel. Ear-level speakers deliver driving information to the driver rather than the whole cabin.

You have the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX). With natural language voice control, after the engagement phrase “Hey Mercedes,” the system will understand and act on hundreds of commands, including a simple comment like “I’m cold.” Through the 12.8-inch organic LED center touchscreen, you can make over 800 customizations across various systems. When you find a combination you like, you can save it and then engage it with the biometric authorization, which has a built-in fingerprint reader. The system can have up to seven different user profiles. The profiles can be shared with other Mercedes-Benz models.

Safety

Advanced Safety innovation has always been part of the Mercedes-Benz value proposition. The company has pioneered safety tech, including the first crumple zones, a center airbag between the front seats, electronic stability control, and more. The S-Class has safety features far beyond other passenger vehicles, some examples of which include:

• ATTENTION ASSIST®—Monitors up to 70 parameters of driving behavior and automatically alerts the driver with visual and audible warnings if it detects signs of drowsiness during long trips.
• PRESAFE®—Detects instability during certain vehicle maneuvers that suggest imminent collision or rollover. It can then tighten the front seat belts, adjust the front passenger seat, and close the windows and sunroof, all to better prepare the occupants and restraints in the moments before a collision.
• PRESAFE® Sound—When the PRESAFE® sensors detect an impending impact, the sound system emits a unique “pink noise” tone. The frequency of this tone is tuned to trigger a natural reflex within the human ear canal that helps shut out loud noises before the actual impact.
• PRESAFE® PLUS—If the vehicle senses a rear-end collision is imminent, it will pre-fire the seat belt tensioners to help brace for the impact. If you are stationary and the sensors detect a potential crash, it locks the brakes to minimize forward movement when the vehicle is impacted. This helps to ensure less damage to other vehicles and reduces whiplash for occupants.
• PRESAFE® Impulse Side—If a side collision is detected, the car will inflate air chambers in the side bolsters of the front seats to push the driver or passenger toward the center of the vehicle before the side impact occurs. Mercedes-Benz says these chambers will immediately deploy within fractions of a second before the side of the vehicle is impacted.
• Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC®—This system will not only keep your vehicle at a certain distance while using cruise control, but also react to stationary vehicles, automatically restart if you come to a complete stop, and can be set up to 130 mph.
• Active Steering Assist—Helps you steer when the vehicle can trace the lanes on the road, allowing you to rest your hands on the steering wheel.
• Active Lane Change Assist—Assists in changing lanes for you when you use the turn signal stalk to direct a lane change. It will not work, however, if it detects a solid line for the lane you are attempting to use.
• Active Emergency Stop Assist—When traveling above 37 mph, the car will monitor if the driver is paying attention and alert. If the driver is no longer placing their hands on the wheel, the vehicle will come to a complete stop and activate its hazards. At this point, the doors will be unlocked, and the vehicle assistant will immediately call for help with the Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call.
• Active Brake Assist—Mercedes-Benz uses sensors to assist the driver in coming to an emergency stop if it senses an imminent crash.
• Avoidance Steering Assistant—At up to 68 mph, the car can help the driver avoid crashing into other cars, people, and bicyclists.
• Active Lane Keeping Assist—Available from 37 mph and faster, this system monitors lane markings on the sides of the vehicle to help keep you in the lane. If there is a potential for a crash, the vehicle can help steer out of the situation and will alert the driver visually and audibly.
• Active Blind Spot Assist—This feature provides visual and audible warnings to the driver if the vehicle starts to leave its current lane without signaling, or if it signals but there is something in the blind spot. Even if you are stationary, the system can still alert you to something approaching when you open your door to get out.