History/Overview
The S-Class has been the flagship luxury car at Mercedes-Benz for decades. It's big, it's luxurious, and it packs about as much tech into one vehicle as is possible. If you want to make an entrance, or whisk yourself along near the pinnacle of the automobile, this is near the top of the list. And if you don't want a sedan, Mercedes-Benz has brought its biggest coupe and cabriolet back under the S-Class umbrella, meaning there are three ways to have your S.
What's New in 2020
The S-Class sedan received a major facelift in 2017, so major changes aren't on the table for this year. Instead some small upgrades add a new app-enabled anti-theft system that can tell you if your car has been damaged or towed and there is a new LED Mercedes-Benz star LED exit lamp. A Final Edition says farewell to the S 65 and its 6.0L V12, limited to just 130 worldwide. That one is sedan only, since the S 65 coupe and cabriolet go away for MY 2020.
Available Trims
If you are looking at the sedan, the S comes in S 450 short wheelbase and S 560 in short and extra rear room long-wheelbase versions. The S 560e is a plug-in hybrid LWB car, and more powerful AMG versions come in V8-powered S 63 and V12 S 65. 450, 560, and S 63 models are AWD, 560e and S 65 are rear-drive only. The coupe and cabriolet come in S 560 and S 63 both with AWD.
Standard Features
S 450 models come with 19-inch alloys and all-LED exterior lighting. The three-spoke wheel offers touch controls and is heated, and there's a panoramic sunroof. The seats offer 16-way adjustment in the front and are heated front and rear. The armrests are also heated. 64-colour, three-zone LED ambient lighting accents the cabin and its leather upholstery. A 12.3-inch digital dash is standard along with a same-size infotainment display using the Mercedes-Benz Comand system. A Burmester surround system is included along with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android auto. On the safety side, active brake assist, attention assist, adaptive lighting, blind spot, lane keeping, and crosswind assist are all included along with rain-sensing wipers. S 560 adds a 4.0L V8 engine and the S 560e offers a hybrid battery system, but both have the same level of standard equipment.
S 63 comes with a more powerful V8 and an AMG-specific gearbox along with adaptive sport suspension, high-performance brakes, an AMG exhaust, and AMG exterior bodywork with 20-inch alloys. Radar cruise control joins the active safety list along with active lane change and lane-keep, emergency braking, traffic sign assist, and a 360-degree camera. Massage and ventilated front seats are also added with Nappa leather. The S 65 adds special styling to show that it's the most premium version and has an updated Burmester audio system.
With two-doors, the S 560 Coupe comes equipped with 12-way power front seats with heat, ventilation, and massage, as well as 64-colour lighting. Nappa leather and heated front armrests are also included. It has the same active safety feature list as the S 63, and the same twin screens and Burmester audio as the sedans. The Cabriolet versions are equipped the same way, but add Airscarf neck heating for more top-down comfort on colder days. The AMG S 63 versions are equipped like their sedan counterparts, with the Cabriolet adding the Airscarf system as an option.
Key Options
On standard models, a Premium Package adds Nappa leather, power sunshades, vented front massage seats, park and cross traffic assist plus a 360-degree camera. Premium Rear seating powers the back seats and adds ventilation, a power footrest, and a wireless charger. Intelligent Drive adds more active safety features like adaptive cruise, evasive steering, active brake assist, and traffic sign assist. S 63 can be fitted with the Premium Rear Seating and S 65 can have an Executive Rear Seating package with folding tables and a power-recline right-rear seat. On all, extensive colour customization in and out is available.
On S 560 coupe and cabrio, a Swarovski Crystal Lighting Package adds crystal accents to the headlights, but, more usefully, comes with night vision. Carbon-ceramic brakes are available on AMG models.
Fuel Economy
The S 450 sedan is estimated to get 12.8/8.5 L/100 km city/highway. with 13.5/8.5 for both versions of the 560. The S 63 sedan gets 14.1/8.9 and the S 65 18.6/10.9. The S 63 Coupe and Cabriolet are rated for 14.8/8.7 and 15.8/9.8 city/highway respectively, and the 560e and 560 Coupe and Cabrio do not yet have estimated fuel economy listed.
Competitors
The S-Class sedan competes with the BMW 7 Series and Audi A8, while the coupe and cabriolet compete with cars like the Porche 911, BMW 8 Series, and Aston Martin Vantage, all high-performance, high-style, high-luxury models.
