Used 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Flagship sedans have the cream of whatever their makers can offer. From the smallest of details like the stitching in the leather to the biggest engines to all the methods of protection that may never be used, everything has received obsessive-compulsive attention with the aim of being unsurpassed.

Time and again, Mercedes-Benz has proved itself a master of flagship sedan design and production. The current S-Class, launched as recently as 2021, meets that demanding criteria. This car tops our list of best large luxury sedans. Anyone looking to buy something from this category should also have it at the top of their list.

Life behind the wheel of a 2023 S-Class is rather wonderful. As that smell of fine leather or the cabin fragrance system wafts gently into your nostrils, the massaging seat kneads your back, your elbows rest on padded areas of yet more leather, and the superb audio system plays your favorite tracks, the rest of the world falls into insignificance.

Threading through city streets or dashing down a highway, there’s the same comfort and pretty much the same suppressed level of noise. An air suspension is standard, along with a comprehensive set of driver assistance features.

Nothing is lacking in the S 500 — it has useful power and sublime refinement. But the authoritative V8 thrust of the S 580 seems so perfectly right in a large luxury sedan. The plug-in hybrid S 580e delivers V8-like performance when there’s juice in the battery, but when that runs out, it behaves more like the 6-cylinder S 500.

In our ideal new S-Class, we would also choose the rear-wheel steering system for greater maneuverability, as well as the E-Active Body Control hydro-pneumatic suspension that reads the road ahead, adjusts the ride quality accordingly, and helps keep the car astonishingly flat through corners.

We’ve spent scores of hours driving and evaluating the current collection of luxury full-size sedans, including this Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Heaven on four wheels. The feel of the leather, the comfort of the seats, the heft of the switchgear, the many tech features, the cabin air ionization and fragrance, the space, the silence. These all combine to create a sumptuous and secure bubble, where occupants can dictate how much of the outside world they want to allow in.

Mercedes-Benz brings only its long-wheelbase S-Class models into the United States, so there’s plenty of legroom for tall passengers sitting in the back. Audi and BMW do the same thing. And the Maybach versions have even more rear space. Every S-Class has the option of two executive rear seats with power-adjustable/heated/massaging seats and heated armrests.

At 12.9 cubic feet, the trunk isn’t that big (similar to a Toyota Corolla’s, enough for three sets of golf clubs). Perhaps S-Class owners have their Louis Vuitton luggage transported in a separate vehicle.

Front seats
The front seats have rapid heating or cooling, as well as multiple massaging programs — some of which go on for nearly 20 minutes. Even better news — these aren’t optional. They’re standard in every new S-Class luxury sedan.

Augmented reality
The standard navigation system in the 2023 S-Class can show images of what’s directly ahead, then highlight things like direction signs and street numbers. This is done on the infotainment screen as well as the optional head-up display.

Hey, Mercedes
Wake up the onboard digital assistant with these two words, then give a command like “raise the cabin’s temperature by two degrees” or “turn down the volume.” This is also standard in the 2023 S-Class.

Powered rear shades
The rear window and rear passenger windows on each side have shades that go up and down with the touch of a button — another standard feature.

Burmester 15-speaker/710-watt surround-sound system
This standard setup is superb — crisp, detailed, and powerful. Or there’s always the optional 30-speaker/1,750-watt 4D upgrade for an even more immersive listening experience.

Maybach models
On the outside, the super-luxurious Maybach S-Class variants offer 2-tone paintwork and power-operated doors. Inside, the options list includes folding tables, champagne flutes, and a chiller compartment.

Before we get into the actual engines, a brief word about the mild-hybrid system used in the S 500 and S 580 drivetrains. An electric motor enables a smooth action to the fuel-saving engine stop/restart function, as well as provides brief boosts of 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.

An electrical compressor is part of the setup. It’s like a supercharger, working in tandem with the turbocharger(s). And when the optional E-Active Body Control hydro-pneumatic suspension is on board, the mild-hybrid system also powers this. It’s typical of Mercedes-Benz to corral technology in the pursuit of comfort and refinement.

The S 500’s combustion side is a turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder unit. Output is a more-than-adequate 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. The S 580e uses that 6-cylinder engine as part of its plug-in hybrid powertrain, which provides a significant boost in power and torque when there’s juice in the battery.

The S 580 drivetrain goes for twin turbochargers bolted to a 4.0-liter V8, making 496 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.

There’s no mild-hybrid system in the S 680 Maybach model, but it does have a fabulous twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 developing 621 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque.

Every new S-Class has an all-wheel-drive system (known as 4Matic on Planet Mercedes) and a 9-speed automatic transmission. All three engines require premium gasoline.

3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder/48-volt mild-hybrid system (S 500)
429 horsepower @ 5,500-6,100 rpm
384 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder plug-in hybrid (S 580e)
510 total horsepower @ 5,500-6,100 rpm
553 total lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,500 rpm
All-electric range: TBD
EPA city/highway fuel economy: TBD

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8/48-volt mild-hybrid system (S 580)
496 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
516 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/25 mpg, 15/25 mpg (Maybach)

6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 (S 680)
621 horsepower @ 5,250-5,500 rpm
664 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 12/21 mpg (2022)

More S-Class fuel economy information is available on the EPA’s website.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The new-car warranty on a 2023 S-Class lasts for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. That includes the powertrain. This is the usual arrangement amongst its well-heeled competitors.