2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

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Rating8.4

Ranked #3 in 

Fullsize Sedan
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$89,900 - $179,500
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 2, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Pristine cabin with a number of creature comforts

Engines are not very fuel-efficient

Refreshed exterior

Potent powertrain and buttery transmission

Modest cargo capacity

S 450 trim with 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine added to the lineup

Awe-inpiring detailing and finish

Difficult to handle around turns

New 4.0L twin-turbo V8 on the S 560 trim

The COMAND infotainment system is updated

Upholstery gets 3 new colors

Two natural grain ash wood trim

New Driver Assistance Package

Specs & Features

$89,900

price

362 hp @ 5500 rpm

horsepower

369 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

torque

9-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.0L 6cyl RWD 9A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a fullsize sedan offered in 2 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $89,900. For that price, it mainly competes with the Genesis G90, the Audi A8 L, and the BMW 7 Series. Between 2 trims, the S-Class offers 2 powertrains. The base engine is a 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 capable of making 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. If more power is required, there is also a 463 horsepower-making 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 engine. Both engines are mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. The S-Class reaches 60 mph from zero in 5.4 seconds on its base engine, which gets pumped up to 4.6 seconds with the 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8. Depending on the powertrain, the S-Class can manage a combined fuel economy between 21 and 22 MPG. While we're on the topic of choices, the 12 striking colors the S-Class comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

The base S 450 is our pick. Yes, the S 560 is more powerful, quicker, and loaded with even more features. However, if you really want to experience a high-performance attitude from the S-Class then look for the models with an AMG tag. On the other hand, if you are willing to go with our recommended trim then do select the Premium Package, the Warmth & Comfort Package, and the Driver Assistance Package during the purchase.

Trims

    450
    $89,900 onwards
    • Engine: 3.0L 6cyl RWD 9A
    • Horsepower: 362 hp @ 5500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 369 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6 sec
    • Top Speed: 155 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 22 mpg
    S 450
    $92,900 onwards
    • 18-inch machined aluminum Wheels
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Dual zone thermotronic
    • Rain Sensing Windshield wipers
    • Tilting glass Sunroof
    S 560
    $99,900 onwards
    • Engine: 4.0L 8cyl AWD 9A
    • Horsepower: 463 hp @ 5250 rpm hp
    • Torque: 516 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.5 sec
    • Top Speed: 155 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 21 mpg
    AMG S 63
    $179,500 onwards
    • Engine: 4.0L 8cyl AWD 9A
    • Horsepower: 603 hp @ 5500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 664 lb.-ft. @ 2750 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: TBD sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 18 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$89,900- $179,500

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.37

Horsepower

621 hp @ 4800 rpm

Torque

738 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$82,500- $92,000

Gasoline

8.17

333 hp @ 5500 rpm

325 lb.-ft. @ 2900 rpm

5

Read Review

$189,000- $244,600

Gasoline

8.36

500 hp @ 6000 rpm

487 lb.-ft. @ 1700 rpm

5

Read Review

$304,670- $335,600

Gasoline

8.62

505 hp @ 4000 rpm

752 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm

5

Read Review

$83,100- $99,400

Gasoline

8.33

320 hp @ 5200 rpm

332 lb.-ft. @ 1380 rpm

5

Read Review

$54,095- $88,295

Gasoline

7.83

265 hp @ 5500 rpm

295 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

5

Read Review

$46,295- $72,495

Gasoline

7.63

304 hp @ 6800 rpm

264 lb.-ft. @ 5300 rpm

5

Read Review

$28,995- $40,995

Gasoline

7.91

292 hp @ 6350 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

5

Read Review

$68,350- $74,350

Gasoline

7.63

365 hp @ 6000 rpm

376 lb.-ft. @ 1300 rpm

5

Read Review

$75,400- $122,400

Gasoline

7.59

340 hp @ 6500 rpm

332 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

5

Read Review

2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    6 sec13.8 sec155 mph
    3.5 sec--
    4.6 sec--
    4.7 sec--
    4.7 sec--
    4.7 sec13.3 sec-

    2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      19 mpg28 mpg22 mpg20.7 gal.437/644 mi.
      22 mpg30 mpg25 mpg19.5 gal.429/585 mi.
      21 mpg28 mpg24 mpg23.7 gal.497.7/663.6 mi.
      21 mpg29 mpg24 mpg20.6 gal.432.6/597.4 mi.
      19 mpg30 mpg23 mpg21.7 gal.412.3/651 mi.
      19 mpg30 mpg23 mpg18.5 gal.351.5/555 mi.

      2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        206.5 in.74.8 in.58.7 in.5 in.124.6 in.
        227.2 in.79.4 in.64.8 in.6 in.139.8 in.
        219.5 in.75.8 in.59.9 in.6 in.128.6 in.
        215 in.83.9 in.59 in.5 in.132.5 in.
        212.6 in.76.7 in.61 in.6 in.129.7 in.
        208.6 in.77.8 in.58.6 in.7 in.120.7 in.

        2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          16.3 cu.ft.-16.3 cu.ft.
          18.7 cu.ft.-18.7 cu.ft.
          15.6 cu.ft.130.5 cu.ft.15.6 cu.ft.
          16.7 cu.ft.102 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.
          16.3 cu.ft.106.3 cu.ft.68.6 cu.ft.
          14.2 cu.ft.121.9 cu.ft.67 cu.ft.

          2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            62.9 cu.ft.16.3 cu.ft.16.3 cu.ft.-
            14 cu.ft.14 cu.ft.14 cu.ft.-
            39.8 cu.ft.16.3 cu.ft.12.3 cu.ft.-
            20.8 cu.ft.15.3 cu.ft.15.3 cu.ft.-
            72.2 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.76 ft.
            29.9 cu.ft.18 cu.ft.29.9 cu.ft.120 ft.

            2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -1499 lbs.4553 lbs.
              1000 lbs.1087 lbs.4013 lbs.
              --5341 lbs.
              -959 lbs.4195 lbs.
              --5644 lbs.
              -870 lbs.4707 lbs.

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