The 2022 Mercedes S-Class is an exceptional luxury car in just about every metric. The S-Class has a dazzling interior with top-notch materials, futuristic infotainment, and safety features, and some of the comfiest seats this side of a private jet. It glides effortlessly over bumps and dips on the road and retains great composure during turns, especially considering its size. It has plenty of power. There are three engine options: a powerful six-cylinder (V6), powerful V8, or titanic V12 propel the S-Class forward confidently.
How Much Does the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cost?
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S 500 has a base price of $111,100. That’s far more expensive than any other model in the super-luxury car class, and it only goes up from there. The S 580 trim starts at $117,700, while the extended-length Maybach S 580 costs $184,900. The range-topping Maybach S 680 is expected to cost more than $200,000.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs. Mercedes-Benz CLS
The Mercedes CLS is a compelling alternative to the S-Class. The CLS has a high-end interior, elegant coupe-like styling, and relatively agile handling for its size. You can also get many of the safety and tech features of the S-Class. CLS is a great option because it costs only $73,000. This is about twice the price of the S-Class’s cheapest model. There are some trade-offs. Although the CLS is impressive, it can’t compare to its bigger sibling regarding engine performance or ride comfort. It offers less space in the back and provides fewer amenities for passengers.
S-Class Interior Quality
The Mercedes S-Class has just about the nicest interior of any mainstream luxury vehicle. It is a bank vault, quiet and meticulously built. The interior has been dressed with high-end materials such as leather, aluminum, and real wood. The interior plastics are well-made and have a good fit. Large instrument and infotainment display anchor the dashboard. This may be a problem for tech-averse people. The result is a cabin that looks modern but feels warm and welcoming. It’s a beautiful place to take in the views as you travel.
S-Class Infotainment
The 2022 S-Class is outfitted with the latest version of Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system. Its large touch screen flows elegantly from the dashboard to the center console, and it offers straightforward menus, large icons, and slick graphics. It responds quickly to inputs. Adjusting settings can be done with voice recognition, steering wheel buttons, or tapping or swiping on-screen. Say “Hey Mercedes” followed by “play the Beatles on spottily” or “find the closest Whole Foods.” There are no buttons or knobs on your dashboard.
This can make it difficult to adjust the climate or audio settings while driving. The digital instrument cluster is prominently mounted behind the steering wheel. It is easy to read and intuitively placed. An optional head-up display can also project useful information onto the windshield, such as turn-by-turn navigation signs. Backseat passengers will not feel neglected. Two touch screens mounted on the seats of the S-Class can be used to stream videos or access other infotainment features. An additional tablet can be stored in the back center armrest.
S-Class Cargo Space
The Mercedes-Benz S 500 and S 580 models have a relatively small 13.8-cubic-foot trunk. The Mercedes-May Bach models shrink this cargo space even further to just 12.5 cubic feet. That’s subpar for the super-luxury car class. There’s enough room for a couple of carry-on bags or two sets of golf clubs, but not much else. A hands-free power trunk lid comes standard.
S-Class Engine Performance
Mercedes offers the 2022 S-Class with three engine options. The S 500 features a 429-horsepower turbocharged and supercharged inline-six, the S 580 packs a 496-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8, and the S 680 sports a 621-horsepower twin-turbo V12. Each is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (4Matic). A 48-volt mild-hybrid system is included with the six- and eight-cylinder engines, and it can provide an extra 21-horsepower boost when needed.
There really isn’t a bad pick in this lineup. The punchy straight-six hauls the S 500 off the line and up to highway speeds with confidence, and strong passing power is dispatched with quick and seamless shifts from the transmission. Zero to 60 mph takes a brief 4.9 seconds. The engine stop-start system is similarly refined. The V8 of the S 580 pulls like a train. It can sprint from 0 to 60 in 4.4 seconds. And it doesn’t feel taxed while propelling the sedan along. You can cruise along the highway with it, feeling as comfortable as a stroll through town. The V12 delivers similar thrust levels, but it has a unique level of finesse that a dozen pistons can only achieve. It is a quiet and extremely smooth operator.
