2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The S-Class isn’t just a car. Although if it was, that would be a more than ample reason for its existence. Instead, the S-Class is akin to the Empire State Building, the 1959 Gibson Les Paul electric guitar, or the Rolex Submariner watch — a prime example of its kind, a treasure. This is the archetypal flagship sedan, the most successful and the best-seller.

Mercedes-Benz has had plenty of practice building, refining, and evolving the S-Class over several generations. This current model debuted for the 2021 model year, while many of its qualities — like profound comfort and exacting attention to detail — remain timeless.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of flagship luxury sedans, including the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

The S 500 gains more power, infotainment system upgrades include a 5G modem, new colors become available, and the S 580/580e models gain a heated steering wheel, plus active ambient cabin lighting (the LED strips can flash red if a hazard is imminent). The S 580e plug-in hybrid also gains a DC fast charging system, two years of free Mercedes Me charging, and a 110V/240V charging cable. Lastly, a variant from the high-performance AMG division is now part of the S-Class lineup.

The BMW 7 Series is a worthy rival, starting at $96.4K. So is the new-for-2024 Porsche Panamera, from around $100K. The Audi A8 and Genesis G90 start closer to $90K, and the Lexus LS kicks off closer to to $80K. The S-Class isn’t exactly a bargain, then. Until we reach the lavish Mercedes-Maybach versions, perhaps, which come with many features found in Bentley and Rolls-Royce cars, but cost considerably less.

Before buying a new S-Class large luxury sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay.

There’s nothing lacking in the S 500. It now has 442 horsepower (up from 2023’s 429) and sublime refinement. Mercedes-Benz says it can accelerate from standstill to 60 mph in a brisk 4.8 seconds. We don’t dispute it. To compare, the BMW 740i has 375 horsepower and hits 60 mph in 5.1 seconds.

However, the authoritative V8 thrust of the 496-horsepower S 580 seems perfectly right in a large luxury sedan. It will shave almost half a second from the S 500’s sprint time.

We’ve also driven the S 580e plug-in hybrid, which feels so beautifully effortless. We could never tell when its inline-6 turbo engine was sliding in or out of operation without looking at the rev counter. The electric motor is perfectly capable of decent freeway speeds and making decisive passing moves without any help from the gasoline side.

Life behind the wheel of a 2024 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 crystal-clear 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, enhancing comfort yet also making the car feel more agile than its size suggests. A comprehensive set of driver assistance features is also included.

In our ideal new S-Class, we would also choose the rear-wheel steering system for greater maneuverability. And 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.

Fuel Economy

The S 500 achieves an estimated 23 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That’s thirstier than the BMW 740i xDrive, which manages 27 mpg combined. The S 580 is thirstier still by a couple of miles per gallon. Expect around 14 mpg combined from the S 680 Maybach.

People who can afford a new S-Class aren’t especially worried about fuel bills, but if anyone wanted to reduce their carbon footprint a little, the S 580e plug-in hybrid can travel for 46 miles on battery power alone. After that, it achieves 23 mpg combined. With a computer-controlled combination of electric and gasoline operation, it feels almost odd to be driving an S-Class and hardly see the fuel gauge move even after a couple of long drives. The comparable BMW 750e xDrive runs for 35 miles in electric mode. All these engines require premium gasoline.

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 collude 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). Perhaps S-Class owners have their Louis Vuitton luggage transported in a separate vehicle. The S 580e plug-in hybrid’s trunk is even smaller — 8.1 cubic feet — and we struggled to get a large suitcase in there.

As brave and bold as something like the BMW 7 Series might be, with its avant-garde exterior styling, some buyers are going to be more conservative in their tastes. Over its many generations, the S-Class has always occupied the top spot, and part of the reason why is its design. It manages to convey presence, authority, prestige, and elegance all at the same time.

The Manufaktur personalization program now offers Moonlight White Metallic and Moonlight White Mango paint finishes. The Night Series design package is offered with Maybach models, which involves a lot of gray and black.

Front seats
The front seats have rapid heating or cooling, as well as multiple massaging programs — some 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 2024 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 2024 S-Class.

Powered rear shades
The rear window and rear passenger windows at 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 even more immersive listening experience.

Maybach models
On the outside, the super-luxurious Maybach S-Class variants offer two-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 and provides brief boosts of an extra 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 perfectly fine 442 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. That’s a boost of 13 horses and 29 lb-ft over last year.

The S 580 drivetrain goes for twin turbochargers bolted to a 4.0-liter V8, making 496 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The S 580e is a plug-in hybrid pairing the 3.0-liter turbo 6-cylinder/mild hybrid system with an electric motor to create a total of 510 horsepower.

The S 680 Maybach employs a fabulous twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 developing 621 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. And the new-for-2024 AMG S 63 E Performance is endowed with a gargantuan 791 horsepower and 1,055 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful production S-Class ever. So far. There’s a hand-crafted twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 up front and an electric motor at the rear.

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

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The new-car warranty on a 2024 S-Class lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. That includes the powertrain. This is the usual arrangement among European automakers.

Safety Ratings

The S-Class hasn’t been crash-tested by any independent agencies. That’s a common thing for such high-end vehicles. Mercedes-Benz packs its flagship sedan with an array of standard safety features that’s comprehensive and often innovative, such as the special windshield wiper system that doesn’t mess up vision with indiscriminate splashing all over the glass.