Used 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class range encompasses sedan, limousine, coupe and convertible (aka “cabriolet”) models. They’re all fabulous machines, but the sedan is the principal star.

Not only is the S-Class the company’s flagship luxury car, it’s also what most people probably think of whenever the subject of Mercedes-Benz comes up in conversation. It’s become a symbol of success.

Quite rightly so. The amount of engineering and attention to detail that goes into every S-Class would blow the mind of anyone unfamiliar with the behind-the-scenes/under-the-skin work that goes on.

Nor is it just about luxury — things like ionized cabin air, or reading the road and automatically adjusting the suspension to suit (Magic Body Control). Some safety features were cutting-edge when this generation of S-Class first appeared, such as adaptive cruise control with stop/go and steering assistance. Now we expect it in Toyotas.

Well-heeled driving enthusiasts might want to consider the Porsche Panamera, BMW 7 Series, or AMG versions of the S-Class (reviewed separately). Those averse to thrills can look at the Lexus LS. But the S-Class dominates this landscape.

The 2020 S 560e plug-in hybrid sedan is due later in the year, and we will update this review when more information becomes available.

These non-AMG versions of the 2020 S-Class are sublime freeway travelers, making the miles seem shorter and the roads feel smoother. Engine choices almost don’t matter. The relatively humble turbocharged V6 has sufficient passing power and isn’t much slower than the Maybach model with a mighty V12. The engine in S 560 cars, however, is a fine example of V8 muscle and worth stretching the budget for.

Don’t buy a Mercedes-Benz S-Class for throwing around canyon roads (as if), although the amount of body control through curves is still impressive for something of this heft.

Engage the adaptive cruise control and steering assistance, and the S-Class practically drives itself, keeping a safe distance from any traffic ahead, while changing lanes with a tap of the turn-signal stalk. Remember, though, that this technology exists to aid, but not replace, a human behind the wheel.

To find a more opulent interior would require moving up to the ultra-luxurious bracket populated by Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Even then, the interior of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is still pretty much hand-crafted.

Almost every touch point is fine leather, smooth wood or brushed metal. The cabin even smells special, courtesy of the standard Air Balance fragrance system (with replaceable vials in the glove box). The standard-issue twin 12.3-inch displays for the infotainment system and driver information are also impressive.

The regular S-Class sedan offers plenty of space for rear passengers, while the stretched Mercedes-Maybach versions go into full-on “head of state” territory. Naturally, the S-Class coupe and convertible are tighter back there, but still respectable for 4-seaters.

Quiet authority is the S-Class approach. Nothing too flashy, no big grilles. Just a conservative design that still says it’s a Mercedes-Benz. It’s a successful formula that works whether there are four doors or two, a metal top or a fabric roof.

There are some devilish details, though. For example, the “triple-torch” headlights and LED taillights — with what Mercedes-Benz calls a “stardust” effect — are spectacular.

S-Class cars are classified as full-size. The regular sedan is just over 17 feet long, the coupe and cabriolet are a tad shorter, and the Maybach versions are 18 feet long. Fortunately, S-Class buyers can also afford big garages.

ENERGIZING COMFORT
A Mercedes-Benz innovation, this system assists drivers by altering their mood. It can relax or revive with soothing music and/or a spritz of in-cabin fragrance, activate the massaging seats and even direct stretching exercises that may be performed while driving.

EXECUTIVE REAR-SEAT PACKAGES
The S-Class sedan’s optional 2-person rear accommodation setup includes individual power-adjustable seats with massage functions and a power footrest for the seat that’s not behind the driver. Each position includes a folding tray table, plus heated/cooled cup holders, along with an available refrigerated center compartment.

There are no bulbs in the 2020 S-Class. Not even the cabin reading lights. Illumination comes exclusively from LEDs. That’s hardly crucial information, but it shows how Mercedes-Benz went to the finest degree to make the S-Class a technological masterpiece.

The S 450 sedan comes with an air suspension, navigation, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, self-parking, driver-fatigue monitoring, ultra-wide-beam LED headlights, 64-color ambient cabin lighting, and five years of Mbrace Connect service where certain functions are controlled with the user’s smartphone.

Luxury touches include soft-closing doors, hands-free trunk lid opening, heated 16-way power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a superb Burmester audio system.

We could take from now to next Christmas itemizing all the options, but let’s mention a few highlights. Like the Magic Sky sunroof that turns from opaque to transparent at the touch of a button, headlights with Swarovski crystals, wireless-device charging for the rear of the cabin, rear-seat refrigerator, heated armrests/steering wheel, and a head-up display.

We recommend the Driver Assistance Package ($2,250) that includes adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assistance and most of the other advanced aids that aren’t standard. There’s also a night-vision feature available.

Consider the Premium Package ($3,750) as well, for a 360-degree camera system, ventilated/massaging front seats, power rear side-window sunshades, and the Energizing Comfort feature.

The regular 2020 S 450 has a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. This drives the rear wheels (RWD); the company’s all-wheel-drive (AWD) system is called 4Matic, which can be ordered with this engine and the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 in S 560 models.

The V8/AWD combination is standard in the coupe and the least expensive Maybach version. The S 560 cabriolet is RWD only. So is the top-of-the-line Mercedes-Maybach S 650, which has a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 connected to a 7-speed automatic transmission.

The rest of the non-AMG S-Class variants deploy a 9-speed automatic transmission. This includes the S 560e plug-in hybrid that comes in sedan form only. It pairs a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with an electric motor to send V8-like power to the rear wheels.

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 & 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 (Mercedes-Maybach S 560 AWD), 17/26 mpg (S 560 coupe/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