2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

History/Overview

What we might call “traditional” luxury car buyers are dwindling in number as the auto industry continues to gravitate toward crossovers and SUVs and away from the big sedans that used to define the luxury segment – sedans like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which was redesigned into a new generation last year.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

This year, the S-Class’s coupe and convertible models – which were carry-over designs in 2021 – disappear, possibly forever. The S-Class sedan is unchanged following its redesign last year.

Available Trims

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class starts out as the S 500, powered by a 3.0L turbocharged six-cylinder engine with mild hybrid assist, a nine-speed transmission, and AWD. The S 580 and Maybach S 580 move up to a 4.0L turbo V8 with mild hybrid assist, and the same transmission and AWD system.

Standard Features

The S 500 comes with air suspension with adaptive damping, 19-inch wheels, LED exterior lighting, a panoramic sunroof, passive keyless entry, soft-close doors, and hands-free power trunk operation.

Inside, there’s a heated wood/leather steering wheel, 16-way-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats and armrests, leather upholstery, automatic A/C, auto-dimming mirrors, a power rear sunshade, a 12.8-inch infotainment display, a 12.3-inch gauge display, navigation, and wireless phone charging.

Standard safety items include attention assist, a dashcam, radar cruise control, active/evasive steering assist, automatic high beams, exit warning, active lane keeping/change assist, forward collision mitigation, rain-sensing wipers.

S 580 models add 20-inch wheels, and rear-seat airbags. The S 580 Maybach gains 360-degree cameras, rear cross-traffic pedestrian detection with automatic braking, climate-controlled rear seats with neck heating, rear automatic A/C, a heated windshield, power rear side sunshades, rear-seat wireless phone charging, and rear-seat infotainment controls.

Key Options

A premium package in S 500 adds Nappa leather, climate-controlled front seats, a head-up display, 360-degree cameras, and rear cross-traffic alert.

A premium rear seat package brings massaging climate-controlled rear seats with memory, rear-seat neck heating, infotainment controls, and power rear side sunshades. A premium rear seat plus group adds wireless charging, upgraded cabin lighting, and a chauffeur package.

An S 580 executive rear seating package places a centre console between two seats, including an executive-style right-rear chair, and adds folding tables. In the S 580 Maybach, the executive package also comes with a refrigerator, electric rear doors, champagne flutes, and extra upscale trim elements.

Fuel Economy

Mercedes-Benz’s fuel consumption estimates for the S-Class are 11.4/8.0 L/100 km (city/highway) in the S 500; 14.3/9.5 L/100 km in the S 580; and 15.2/9.9 L/100 km in S 580 Maybach models.

Competition

If you’ve got well over $100,000 to spend on a luxury sedan, then you probably already know about the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, and Genesis G90. And for those with an eye on the ultra-high-end S 580 Maybach, the BMW Alpina B7 is the closest direct competitor, but the Brits at Bentley and Rolls-Royce have big sedans you should consider, too.