Used 2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

It isn’t easy staying atop your game year after year, yet that’s exactly what the 2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class continues to do. As the company’s flagship sedan (there’s also a coupe and cabriolet version), the S-Class continues to push the boundaries of what a luxury sedan can be, all while maintaining its commitment to safety, comfort and performance. While the BMW 7 Series and Lexus LS might be a bit more dynamic when it comes to styling, there’s a certain maturity to the S-Class’ design befitting of its place in the luxury-market hierarchy. Of course, those looking to stand out might consider the rowdy Mercedes-AMG variant (reviewed separately) while those seeking over-the-top opulence should look to the Mercedes-Maybach sedans.

Regardless of which S-Class you end up buying, the driving experience won’t be disappointing. It’s simply a matter of degrees.

Step into the entry-level S 450 and the 362-horsepower twin-turbo V6 will impress you with its power, fuel-efficiency and smoothness of operation. Sixty mph comes in around five seconds, which is more than adequate for just about any passing or merging need. However, if you have the wherewithal to afford the S 560, you’ll find one of the most brilliant V8 engines ever placed in an automobile, serving up 463 horsepower and a 0-60-mph time of 4.6 seconds. Both the V6 and V8 versions can be equipped with Mercedes-Benz’s 4Matic all-wheel drive. At the top of the S-Class line is the Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4Matic and Maybach S 650.

The entire S-Class line, AMG models excluded, is far better driven on long stretches on the highway than flung around tight corners. Engage the adaptive cruise control and steering-assist system, and the S-Class practically drives itself, keeping a safe distance from the traffic ahead and changing lanes with just a tap of the driver’s finger. During our time cruising the narrow roads of Connecticut, the S-Class did drift in lanes more than we liked, prompting us to remind drivers that this technology is there to aid, but not replace, a human behind the wheel.

Ultra-luxury sedans from Rolls-Royce and Bentley notwithstanding, 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 instrument cluster screen to the left of it. The 2019 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 received a minor exterior update last year, 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. The "triple-torch" headlights and LED taillights with what Mercedes calls a "stardust" effect are dazzling. All models now wear the grille that had been reserved for the former V12 S-Class. 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
An innovative first for Mercedes-Benz, this system is designed to assist drivers by altering their mood. The system can relax you with soothing music or a spritz of in-cabin fragrance, activating the massaging seats and even coaching you through stretching exercises to be performed from behind the wheel.

4-PLACE SEATING
For those who intend to be driven rather than to drive, the S-Class sedan’s 2-person rear seat includes individual power-adjustable chairs with massage and a power footrest for the passenger-side seat. Each position includes a folding tray table plus heated and cooled cup holders with an available refrigerated compartment separating the two sides.

In its least expensive state as the S 450, 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 a trial subscription to Mercedes Me 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 a surround-view camera, ventilated and massaging front seats, hands-free trunk opening, power rear sun blinds and a parking assistant. Other options range from a heated steering wheel and armrests to sporty AMG-line styling.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class comes with a choice of two engines. In the S 450, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 powers the rear wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission. Stepping up the S 560 brings a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 using the same 9-speed automatic. Both trims can be equipped with the 4Matic all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. The V8 and AWD are also standard on the Mercedes-Maybach S 560, with a V12 and rear-wheel drive (RWD) offered on the top-of-the-line Mercedes-Maybach S 650. Later in 2019, the S 560e plug-in hybrid is set to go on sale.

3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 (S 450)
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 S 560 and Mercedes-Maybach S 560)
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 (S 560 Sedan, AWD S 560 Sedan), 16/25 mpg (AWD Mercedes-Maybach S 560), 17/26 mpg (S 560 Coupe and Cabriolet)

6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 (Mercedes-Maybach S 650)
621 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
738 lb-ft of torque @ 2,300-4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/21 mpg