The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S Class is the most luxurious sedan in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. It boasts a spacious cabin with the latest technology and exceptional creature comforts. Mercedes offers multiple powertrain options, including a potent and efficient 510 hp hybrid. All 2023 Mercedes-Benz S Class models get all-wheel drive as standard and an ultra-sophisticated suspension system for an incredibly smooth ride.
Pros
- Powerful powertrain options
- Lavish interior appointments
- Plenty of modern tech
- Smooth and quiet ride
Cons
- Hard to use steering wheel touchpads
- Poor warranty coverage
What’s New?
Mercedes-Benz introduces a new plug-in hybrid S 580e featuring a 510 hp hybrid powertrain. There are a few subtle changes to the available upholstery and paint options.
Trims and Pricing
Mercedes-Benz
| S 500 4MATIC | $114,500 |
| S 580e 4MATIC | $122,550 |
| S 580 4MATIC | $124,000 |
For the 2023 model year, Mercedes-Benz offers three S Class trims: S 500 4MATIC, S 580e 4MATIC, and S 580 4MATIC. The base 2023 Mercedes-Benz S 500 receives a well-equipped interior featuring adaptive cruise control, leather upholstery, wireless charging, a modern infotainment system, a surround-view camera, heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, etc. Mercedes offers an optional AMG Line package with an exterior body kit, AMG floor mats, special wheels, and brushed aluminum pedals.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S 580e 4MATIC offers better efficiency thanks to its hybrid powertrain. Despite sharing the same engine with the base S 500 sedan, it adds an electric motor. The S 580e combines the base S 500 sedan features while offering more power.
The top trim 2023 Mercedes-Benz S 580 4MATIC gets all the standard features of the S 500 but also introduces a more potent twin-turbocharged V8 engine. Mercedes-Benz also offers an optional Executive Line package, focusing on improved rear passenger comfort and introducing an innovative rear steering system for better maneuverability.
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Engine, Performance, and Transmission
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S Class lineup has three powertrain options: a turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine, a turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder hybrid engine, and a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine. All-wheel drive is standard on all models, and the engines mate to a responsive 9-speed automatic transmission.
The base Mercedes-Benz S 500 gets the turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine with an impressive 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque.
Opting for the hybrid S 580e 4MATIC ups the performance to 510 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. In addition to being the most powerful option in the lineup, the S 580e boasts better efficiency than the other two powertrains.
At the top of the lineup is the S 580 4MATIC with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 producing an impressive 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid S 580e and S 580 powertrains help the S Class get from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The base S 500 gets a slower 0 to 60 mph sprint of 4.9 seconds.
Fuel Economy and Estimated Annual Fuel Costs
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S Class lineup has good fuel economy for a full-size luxury sedan. The base S 500 4MATIC gets the best fuel economy rating of the two gasoline powertrains. It manages 20 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined.
Both the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S 500 and S580 4MATIC have a 22.1-gallon tank, with the base variant getting an annual fuel cost of $3,050 and the top trim S 580 getting a higher annual fuel cost of $3,700.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S 580 4MATIC gets the lowest fuel economy rating in the lineup. It manages 16 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 19 mpg combined. The S 580 also manages 420 miles of total range, while the S 500 outperforms it with 508 miles of total range.
Unfortunately, EPA has yet to rate the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S 580e 4MATIC. However, we believe this will offer the best fuel economy of the lineup, thanks to its hybrid powertrain.
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Interior Room and Cargo Space
| Front Headroom | 42.1 inches |
| Front Legroom | 41 inches |
| Rear Headroom | 39.4 inches |
| Rear Legroom | 43.8 inches |
| Trunk Space | 19.4 cu.ft |
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S Class has plenty of screens on offer. As standard, the driver gets a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a larger 12.8 portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen at the center of the dash. The driver can control the digital gauge cluster from the touchpoints on the steering wheel. This screen offers multiple display formats, including one that shows the car and surrounding vehicles and another with a full map mode.
In addition, the interior of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S Class gets multi-adjustable, massaging front seats and ambient lighting that flashes or changes color depending on alerts from driver assist features.
The rear of the S 500 and S 580 have a traditional bench seat, offering power adjustability and generous legroom. Opting for the Executive Line package replaces the bench with two individual reclining chairs with a beefy center console.
Infotainment and Technology
All 2023 Mercedes-Benz S Class models get a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a larger 12.8-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen. The driver’s display is bright and sharp and uses a powerful processor for a lag-free experience.
Mercedes replaces steering wheel buttons with inset mini touchpads that are harder to use. A voice-operated prompt, “Hey Mercedes,” awakens the screen and responds to spoken requests. Mercedes offers an optional 3D effect for the driver’s display and a cool head-up display that can render navigation directions with floating arrows.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S Class models also get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as standard. There’s also a wireless charger and plenty of USB-C ports on board.
Safety Features
Mercedes fits the 2023 S Class with plenty of active safety features, including lane keeping assist, front cross-traffic warning, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitor, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, passenger exit warning, and enhanced blind spot monitoring.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S Class also gets plenty of innovative features, including an active suspension that can lift the sedan up to reduce the severity of damage during a crash and rear seat airbags.
For more information about the Mercedes-Benz S Class crash test results, check out the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Warranty Coverage
Unfortunately, Mercedes doesn’t offer the best warranty coverage compared to rivals like BMW. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S Class gets a 4-year or 50,000-mile limited warranty and a 4-year or 50,000-mile powertrain warranty. There’s no complimentary scheduled maintenance cover like that from BMW.