2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Rather than being sporty, the 2020 S-Class is more of a complete executive saloon. The trim lineup of the 2020 S-Class Sedan starts with the S450. For $94,250, you get plenty of features as standard where you can avail certain extensions and driver assistance features on offers. The second in the lineup is the S560 that takes the level of luxury up a notch. This one offers a powerful V8 motor and better options and packages. The S560e is the plug-in hybrid version that adds a 90kW hybrid motor with a Biturbo V6 engine, excluding the 4Matic AWD.

Which Trim should you buy?

The price isn't the biggest concern as the S-Class is all about status and prestige. Still, you can choose the trims as per your requirements. The S450 trim is enough to give you refined performance with a satisfactory mileage. For a base model, the S450 is pretty well packed with features. The S560 is made for the ones who love to add V8 performance and get an enhanced luxury experience. This trim is offered with the best features that are available with the S-Class. 

Mercedes caters to different types of customers and demands simultaneously. That's why its flagship sedan has a dynamic trim lineup. The 2020 S450 comes with a 3.0-L, Biturbo V6 engine mated to either an FWD or the 4Matic AWD. It puts you up with 362hp of peak power at 5,500 rpm with a torque output of 369lb-ft at a mere 1,600 rpm, making it a sweet ride. With the S560 trim, you get a power boost of 101 horses as this one is powered by a 4.0L Biturbo V8 engine. You get 463hp max. power at 5,250 rpm with a torque output of 516lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. With the V8, the 2020 S-Class combines both the luxury and performance aspects of the Mercedes in the most desirable form.

The options don't stop there. We also have a hybrid version. Placed at the top of its lineup, the S560e PHEV shares its powertrain with the S450 trim as it has the same 362hp Biturbo V6. But the 90kW motor makes all the difference by adding 121 horses more. All the engines are mated to the 9GTronic 9-Speed automatic transmission. The S-Class is one of the fastest full-size sedans where it takes 5.2 seconds to hit 60 MPH and covers the quarter-mile in 13.8 seconds. Ahead in the lineup, we have the V8 punch which accelerates to reach 60 MPH in 4.9 seconds and nails the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds. 

With its expensive price tag, the S-Class has the most amazing luxury experience in the whole segment. Its BiTurbo V6 engine is the most powerful among the German brands. That's why it easily takes down the BMW 740i and the Audi A8 L. With the Lexus LS 500, the lineup gets interesting as a Japanese luxury sedan dethrones the S-Class from the top with its 416hp V6 engine. The BMW 740i gives close competition to the S450 as always where the Audi A8 L falls back due to the added weight. 

How well does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan handle?

The 2020 S-Class drives like a sensible sedan. There's no overly done aerodynamics and sportiness to the base S-Class package, this vehicle is designed to match the demand of luxurious cabin and high-class riding experience. However, you may get a kick to the thrill with the V8-powered sedan. For ride balancing, the 2020 S-Class gets a standard adaptive ride control suspension.

What makes the ride quality superior is its multi-link front and rear suspension that comes with air springs to adapt to the road conditions, this suspension setup absorbs all the bumps and lets the vehicle glide over rough patches smoothly. The suspension levels itself automatically on each wheel to give you an unmistakable ride quality. The electric power-assist steering provides dynamic handling and maneuverability as per the speeds.

2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Braking Performance

Being a full-size sedan, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan packs a lot of weight. Yet it is capable of safe braking as you get four-wheel ABS with front and rear ventilated disc brakes. The job gets easier with the brake assistance and hill hold control. All the trims of the 2020 S-Class Sedan are equipped with massive 13.2-inch rotors at the front. However, the rear 11.8-inch rotors are comparatively smaller as it weighs a minimum of 4,553 pounds. The adaptive suspension works well to help you balance the car when you apply the brakes to stop it from 60 MPH in under 117 feet.

The BMW 740i weighs almost 300 pounds less than the S450 and is quickest to stop from 60MPH. Moreover, what affects the braking performance of the S-Class is its small brake rotors. All the rivals in its segment offer comparatively huge brake rotors. Mercedes has to make updates to the braking as the S-Class needs to stop much faster; at least faster than the hefty Audi A8 sedan.

When it comes to mileage, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class ain't that bad. With its base 362hp V6 on the S450 trim, it is good for 19 MPG in the city. You get much better efficiency of 28 MPG when it hits the highway. With a combined 22 MPG, the 21.1-gallon tank is more useful as you have a maximum range of 590.8 miles on the highway. 

The 463hp V8 isn't far behind with its almost similar fuel economy. Driving a V8-powered S-Class sedan in the city is not economical as the S560 offers just 17 MPG. It returns 27 MPG on the highway and a combined 21 MPG. However, the S560e is way ahead with its hybrid powertrain. With an all-electric range of 30 miles, it has a combined electric and gas range of 64 MPGe. 

With its 362hp BiTurbo V6, you cannot expect the S-Class Sedan to offer an amazing fuel economy. Still, it manages to push the economy ahead on the highway. The most fuel-efficient sedan is the BMW 740i with its Twin-Turbo I6. The Audi A8 L has the lowest economy, even lower than the S560. Mercedes holds up well with its V8-powered sedan. But when it switches to the hybrid, it becomes the most fuel-efficient.

For the 2020 S-Class Sedan, Mercedes employs its most talented craftsman to design the lavish cabin. The result is the most luxurious cabin in the segment which can be customized with countless options and a long list of premium colors. The interior gets a premium touch as the premium leather upholstery wraps everything around. The highlights are done with real metal-look accents, high-end chrome, and genuine wood accents. Mercedes-Benz has replaced the traditional dash with its most advanced MBUX display which is massive as it combines the gauge cluster with the infotainment. The dual-tone design comprises leather and metal-look accents where you can avail yourself of ash grey wood accents as well. Also, the 3-spoke heated steering wheel is finished with leather and metal-look accents.

With its unparalleled design and comfort, the 2020 S-Class has 18-way power front bucket seats with side bolster support, cushion tilt, articulating backrest, and 4-way lumbar support. The additional features include driver and passenger seat memory settings for steering, door mirrors, head restraints, and HVAC. You have a spacious split-bench seat at the rear. With that, you have heated front and rear seats as well. To give you the best luxury experience inside the cabin, the S-Class offers tri-zone climate control, a smart air filtration system, a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, ambient lighting with blue light, and a power tilt front and rear head restraints. With the comfort and warmth package, you get heated front and rear armrests and power rear seats. Wait, there's also a dual-pane panoramic sunroof as well.

In terms of design and luxury, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class takes the high road with its countless features, comfort levels, design, and quality. As we move from S450 to the S560, the cabin gets much better features, color schemes, options, and tech. The shiny cabin makes way for up to 5 people where you have various adjustments and comfort features. As compared to the rivals, the S-Class is way better with its spacious seating and design. 

Though the A8 L and the 740i offer slightly better legroom, the S-Class wins it over with greater headroom. The only aspect the Merc lacks is practicality. The storage spaces are limited inside the cabin as the design is given preference over space. And you are left with a narrow trunk that's good enough for just 12.3 cubic feet. Rivals like BMW 740i and the Lexus LS 500 are a bit ahead in terms of practicality. Standout Interior features are:

• Perforated Nappa leather upholstery
• Premium metal-look and genuine wood accents
• MBUX gauge and multimedia display
• Leather and metal-look heated steering wheel
• Heated front and rear seats
• 18-way power front seats with 4-way lumbar
• Tri-zone automatic climate control with infrared
• Ambient lighting with blue light
• Panoramic sunroof with Night Sky Control
• Power tilt and telescopic steering
• Multi-contour massaging seats

How intuitive is the infotainment system?

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has a one-of-a-kind infotainment display. It is a massive 12.3-inch HD COMAND display dedicated to your entertainment and convenience. It can be operated via touch steering wheels or the touchpad. Along With Bluetooth and USB connectivity, there's Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well for smart device integration. The infotainment offers a SiriusXM satellite radio subscription with voice command. You even get pre-wiring for a CD player to listen to your mix CDs and old jams. For music and audio, you have a Burmester high-end 3D surround sound system with up to 26 speakers. With the navigation system, you get turn-by-turn navigation with 3-year map updates.

The SiriusXM traffic makes your job easier with a real-time traffic display. And the COMAND display acts as a rearview camera and a display for multi-contour massaging function. A heads-up display is also available. The rear-seat entertainment is offered with the optional package. It comprises dual LCD monitors mounted at the back of the rear head restraints, a center-mounted Blu Ray player, USB and HDMI inputs, dual wireless remotes, and two sets of wireless headphones. So that you can just sit back and enjoy your movies while traveling. Standout Infotainment features are:

• COMAND infotainment system
• Touchpad controller
• 12.3-inch HD touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• Burmester 3D surround sound system
• Turn-by-turn navigation system
• SiriusXM Traffic
• Rear seat entertainment package

The S-Class is one of the most desirable executive sedans in the luxury segment. What makes it special is its sculpted design and the build quality. When the sixth generation was introduced, the S-Class received a new makeover that gave it a more upright and sleek appearance than ever. The 2020 S-Class is a true beauty with its premium colors and chrome exterior accents. The front fascia was updated with a large chrome-trimmed grille and a set of programmable LED headlamps with sharp DRLs. The Mercedes star logo sits atop the grille, at the end of the sloping hood. The S450 has an aerodynamic bumper with a huge air dam where the chrome accents highlight the design. On the other hand, the S560 offers a simpler front bumper with a chrome bar.

With its stylish design lines, there's a lot of chrome on the sides as well. The S-Class has a low stance and has full-length wheel arches that give it bold styling. At the rear, the sleek LED taillamps are blended with the design. And the chrome accents find their way to the bumper-integrated dual-tip exhausts. As standard, the S450 has 18-inch silver-painted twin 5-spoke alloy wheels that look sporty while the S560 prefers 19-inch silver-painted multi-spoke alloy wheels to showcase its classy design. As the S-Class looks amazing in all the shades, it becomes difficult to choose from the metallic paint options.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a symbol of class and status as it is. Even with its lowered body, the S-Class is the tallest executive sedan and has a 5.0-inch ground clearance to stay clear of the road. It has the most appealing paint options and trim-specific designs. Moreover, it is the only sedan that can pull off chrome accents the best. Also, it is comparatively smaller in length than the BMW 740i and the Audi A8 L. Standout Exterior features are:

• Chrome trimmed signature grille
• Aerodynamic bumper design
• Chrome exterior accents
• Dual chrome tip bumper integrated exhausts
• 18-inch twin 5-spoke alloys
• Metallic paint options

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class gets its rigidity and strength from the steel and cast aluminum hybrid structure. More than 50 percent of the body is constructed with aluminum. With that, the S-Class ensures proper balance, handling, durability, noise insulation, and excellent vibration reduction. Being a high-end executive saloon, the 2020 S-Class has not been rated for its safety.

In terms of innovation and technology, Mercedes offers the most advanced safety features. The standard features include a collision mitigation system, active lane keep assist, Blindspot assists, and ParkTronic active parking sensors with a camera. The safety gets better with driver attention alert, active distance assist Distronic, active steering assist, and collision prevention assist plus. Standout Safety features include:

• Steel and aluminum hybrid structure
• Collision mitigation system
• Active lane keep assist
• Blindspot assist
• Driver attention alert
• Active distance assist Distronic
• Collision prevention assist plus

2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2020 BMW 7 Series

The BMW 740i is one of the best full-size luxury sedans in the segment in terms of performance and design. It is bad news for the S-Class as it is quite capable on the road with its TwinPower Turbo I6. It even delivers a best-in-class economy. And it is comparatively lighter and bigger than the Merc, which promotes practicality. But the Merc is loved for its sleek design and refinement. Also, the BMW 740i is no match to the S-Class when it comes to comfort and luxury.

2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2020 Audi A8 L

The Audi A8 L is known for its advanced tech and safety features. It offers plenty of space and comfort for the passengers. As it is comparatively bigger, it weighs a lot more than the S-Class. Although it's a nice pick for $85,000, the S-Class is somewhat similar but better. Other than comfort and convenience, the S-Class stands out with its all-digital multi-display dashboard. It looks more advanced than the A8 L when compared side by side and is more charming.

2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2020 Lexus LS 500

The Lexus LS 500 may not be able to match the level of luxury we get from German brands. Still, it is pretty competitive when it comes to acceleration and driving dynamics. Among the full-size luxury sedans, it has the most powerful standard engine. Plus it is comparatively cheaper. The S-Class on the other hand is all about luxury and tech. It has everything for you inside right from advanced driver assistance, entertainment and safety. It is not limited to features as you can avail yourself of numerous optional packages. The powertrain and comfort make it more appealing and agile. With its S560 trim, it can easily smoke the Lexus LS 500 in one go.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has ruled the luxury saloon segment for decades. It is the most popular full-size executive sedan. As its name suggests, it is a complete sedan for the ones who prefer class over anything. What makes the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class special is the list of features and options is never-ending. Even though it is the most expensive sedan, it has amazing sales numbers. As the sixth generation is here for the last time, it is currently in its prime and packs the most advanced features.