Used 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the flagship of the German luxury brand, and arguably the benchmark full-size sedan to which others aspire. For decades the S-Class has served as the transportation of choice for the world’s wealthy, with each generation building on its reputation of impeccable quality, hushed manners and ample power. Prestige comes standard. Known mostly as a sedan, the S-Class is even more over the top in 2-door form as a massive coupe or cabriolet. Mercedes-AMG variants (reviewed separately) bring substantial performance, while those seeking extravagance on another level will get it in spades in the ultra-luxurious Maybach variants. A new V6-powered base model arrives for 2018 with a lower price, but at nearly $91,000, it’s anything but cheap.

No matter which S-Class you choose, it’s like piloting prominence on wheels. The question is to what degree do you want it? Starting with the new S450, even in base form the 362-horsepower V6 has more than adequate muscle to hustle this full-size luxury sedan. The 0-60-mph mark arrives in just around five seconds, which not long ago was sports-car territory. Still, there’s something natural about a V8 S-Class, and the 463-horsepower S560 has all the scoot you’ll likely ever need. Yet for those who need more — in so many ways — there’s the V12-powered Mercedes-Maybach S650, which drips with locomotive-like torque. Power aside, the non-AMG S-Class isn’t all that lithe, and it’s not for flinging about. It is at its best quietly shuffling driver and passenger about with serenity and stretching. Better yet, let it do the driving. We did just that escaping Manhattan. With the adaptive cruise and steering-assist systems on, the S-Class literally drove us up the Henry Hudson Parkway, pacing the vehicle ahead, even when it came to a complete stop, and steering as needed. As if that weren’t enough, it gave a massage while doing so. Later, in higher-speed situations and along narrower roads in Connecticut, the S-Class tended to drift in lanes more than we liked, so we intervened. We’re not quite at the point where the cars can replicate human drivers, but the S-Class is another step forward in that march.

Ultra-luxury sedans from Rolls-Royce and Bentley withstanding, the S-Class cabin remains one of the most opulent available. (And in Mercedes-Maybach form, it can even make a case against those fabled British land yachts.) Just about every touch point is covered in quality material made from leather, wood or metal. Even the aroma of the cabin itself is special, thanks to the standard Air Balance fragrance system with a replaceable vial of olfactory serum in the glove box. The standard 12.3-inch central display is impressive, and doubly so if you add the twin screen next to it as the instrument cluster. The 2018 S-Class sedan offers laudable rear-seat room, and even more can be had in the long-wheelbase Mercedes-Maybach, which boasts two individual rear seats. By their nature, the S-Class coupe and convertible are tighter in back but still respectable for a 4-seater. One of the few complaints we have is the lack of sliding sun visors.

The S-Class receives minor exterior updates for 2018, but as a whole retains its stateliness-on-wheels motif. It’s big, elegant and still relatively conservative — not a bad thing in our eyes. Not one for huge grilles or unnecessary exterior extravagances, the S-Class’ remains handsomely understated. New for 2018 are freshened bumpers, "triple-torch" headlights and LED taillights with what Mercedes calls a "stardust" effect. All models receive a new grille that was formerly reserved for V12 S-Class models. At 206.5 inches in length, you’ll want to make sure the garage has been adequately prepared for this Mercedes’ arrival. At just under 200 inches, the S-Class coupe and Cabriolet are slightly smaller yet still grand for a 2-door car. Larger still is the Mercedes-Maybach, whose extended wheelbase translates to a total length of nearly 215 inches.

ENERGIZING COMFORT CONTROL
Called a world-first feature, this system aims to refresh, relax or invigorate the driver through six programs. Select one, and the S-Class plays mood music, adjusts the climate control and in-cabin fragrance system optimal settings, and activates the seat massage. One of them even guides you through stretching exercises behind the wheel.

4-PLACE SEATING
If you’re more inclined to be chauffeured in an S-Class sedan, this is the option for you. It replaces the 3-person rear bench with two individual seats with power adjustment, including a footrest for the right seat. Similar to first-class seating in a jet, each seat has a folding tray table and even heated and cooled cup holders.

In its least expensive state as the S450, the Mercedes S-Class sedan boasts a lot of car for what is still a lot of money. Included are air suspension, heated 16-way-power front seats, leather upholstery, power trunk operation, soft-close doors, dual-zone climate control and five years of Mercedes’ mbrace Connect service that lets you check on and control certain functions via your phone. Standard infotainment includes a 12.3-inch central screen, navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a great-sounding Burmester audio system. A host of safety features comes standard, including lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking and a system that monitors for driver drowsiness.

From a rear-seat refrigerator to in-car Wi-Fi and massaging seats, there’s barely enough room on the Internet to list the available options for an S-Class. We’ll attempt to highlight some of the most relevant, such as the Driver Assistance Package that bundles a host of semi-autonomous driving features that will pace the car in front of you and even steer. Another recommendation is the Premium Package that bundles surround-view camera, ventilated and massaging front seats, hands-free trunk opening, power rear sun blinds and parking assistant. Other options range from heated steering wheel and armrests to sporty AMG-line styling.

Three engines are available for the 2018 S-Class, not including the AMG performance models (reviewed separately). Starting with the new S450 is a twin-turbo V6 that comes standard in rear-wheel-drive (RWD) form or optional all-wheel drive (AWD), which Mercedes calls 4Matic. S560 models receive a new V8, a twin-turbo 4.0 that replaces the previous 4.7-liter V8. Those, too, can be had in RWD or AWD form. A V12 engine remains available in the Mercedes-Maybach 650, which is rear-drive only. No diesels are in the offering, but a new plug-in hybrid S-Class is in the works. That model, the S560e is set to go on sale in mid-2019.

3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 (S450)
362 horsepower @ 5,500-6,000 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/28 mpg (RWD), 18/28 mpg (AWD)

4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 (Mercedes-Benz S560 and Mercedes-Maybach S560)
463 horsepower @ 5,250-5,500 rpm
516 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/27 mpg (AWD, S560), 16/25 mpg (AWD Mercedes-Maybach S560)

6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 (Mercedes-Maybach S650)
621 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
738 lb-ft of torque @ 2,300-4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A