Mercedes-BenzS-Class

　　

2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Review

byAlex NishimotoCorrespondent

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　, rating written byAlex NishimotoVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　For decades, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has set the standard for the flagship luxury sedan class. The current model, introduced in 2021, is no exception. With its high levels of luxury, cutting-edge tech and near perfect balance of performance and comfort, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sets a high bar for its competitors.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 500 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$200/mo  for S-Class S 500 4MATIC

　　S-Class S 500 4MATIC

　　S 500 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) - $114,500 MSRPS 580e 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 9A) - $120,500 MSRPS 580 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) (Most Popular) - $124,000 MSRP

　　vs

　　$198/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　The S-Class is just two years into its redesign, so changes for 2023 are relatively minor. The biggest change is the introduction of the plug-in hybrid S 580e model. The six-cylinder hybrid variant makes an impressive 510 horsepower and can cover short distances on battery power alone . The S 580e is available with DC fast-charging capability, which can restore 80% of the battery in as little as 20 minutes.

　　The S-Class was the zzdcar Top Rated Luxury Sedan in 2022, and even though we think the Mercedes is the best offering in the class, there are a few other full-size luxury sedans worth considering. The BMW 7 Series, Genesis G90 and Lexus LS are all competent flagships in their own right. Check out our Expert Rating below to see how they hold up to the mighty S-Class. 

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.5

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the S-Class drive? Outside of AMG-tuned models, the S-Class has never been all that sporty. Comfortable and quick, sure, but not that engaging. That's changed with this latest generation. We tested the S 580, which has the V8 engine. At our test track, it helped this flagship sedan accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a quick 4.7 seconds. Acceleration is impressively smooth, and the generous low-end torque means you don't ever have to work all that hard to pass a car on the highway.

　　Mercedes' engineers have worked to make the S-Class feel athletic without sacrificing comfort. The air suspension keeps the car smooth and composed around turns, and it can lower up to 0.7 inch in the Sport+ driving mode to improve overall handling. The optional rear-axle steering improves high-speed stability and makes it easier to park, another win-win for performance and convenience.

　　

Comfort

9.0/10

　　How comfortable is the S-Class? The S-Class is easily one of the most comfortable vehicles on the road. The standard heated and massaging front seats are supremely comfortable, with supportive but soft cushions and tons of adjustability. Our test vehicle had a combination of packages that included power-adjustable, heated, ventilated and massaging rear seats with a footrest. It also had heated armrests and four-zone climate control, making the rear seats just as comfortable as the front.

　　It's quiet and refined too. It's not quite as quiet at idle as some other sedans, but it's still relatively isolating. It's the way that the S-Class maintains that same level of isolation no matter what speed you're going. While there's a small amount of wind and road noise, the S-Class is whisper quiet even at highway speeds.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below