2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2023 S-Class Sedan is available in the same two trims that it has been reduced to since 2020. The trims are the S 500 4MATIC Sedan and the S 580 4MATIC Sedan. The S 500 comes with a 3.0L inline-6 turbo engine with mild hybrid drive and electric auxiliary compressor and the S580 comes with a 4.0L V8 bi-turbo with mild hybrid drive. The inclusion of the luxury line, executive line, and AMG line also provides people the choice to specialize their sedans to their liking. The Luxury line starts at $111,100 and the AMG line starts at $115,400 for the base trim. The pricier S580 gets three options, the Luxury line at $117,700, the AMG line starting at $122,000, and the executive line starting at $129,100.

Both of the trims of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan are solid offerings with the higher level S 580 coming with RWD and a powerful V8 engine with mild hybrid drive, Four-zone climate control and a Rear entertainment system making it the ultimate luxury sedan. The base trim has all the features to make it a competent daily driver with enough power to bypass most cars on the road in style. It also has various luxury features that are expected from the best of the best. Some of the packages on offer by Mercedes are:- 

Warmth and Comfort package (Luxury and AMG Line only)

• Heated steering wheel
• Heated front and rear armrests
• Heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable outboard rear seats
• Rear seat memory settings

3D Technology package 

• MBUX Augmented Reality Head-Up Display
• 12.3-inch 3D instrument cluster
• Facial recognition
• Eye-tracking enhancement to ATTENTION ASSIST

Night package (AMG Line only)

• Black-painted exterior accents

We Recommend 

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 500 is the way to go in our opinion. Modify it with the Luxury line and it becomes an incredibly lucrative daily driver that will turn heads wherever it goes. For a more sporty aesthetic and rugged appearance, the AMG line could come in handy as it adds all the features of the Luxury line plus the rugged and yet elegant AMG design on the exterior. The performance-oriented among us may prefer the S 580 trim but it feels impractical and only feasible for a niche group of people. 

Release Date 

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan will be available in late 2022 as confirmed by Mercedes Benz USA. 

The 2023 S-Class comes with a standard 3.0L inline-6 turbo engine with mild hybrid drive and electric auxiliary compressor which can be upgraded with the pricier trim to a 4.0L V8 bi-turbo with mild hybrid drive. The power output of the S-Class is nothing to scoff at as it produces 429hp at 5500rpm of horsepower and 384lb-ft at 1800rpm of torque. This power output gives the S-Class Sedan an impressive acceleration from 0 to 60 at just 4.9 seconds. The S-Class also has a 9-speed automatic transmission with overdrive which makes shifts smooth and fun. Overall, the S-Class is a powerfully equipped sedan that makes it achieve high speeds without sacrificing on comfort, the air suspensions make tight corners easy and keep the sedan composed through anything it comes across. 

The 3.0l engine of the S-Class makes it above average when it comes to acceleration and horsepower but what holds it back is its top speed. The Lexus LS 500 comes in first with an astounding 0 to 60 speed of just 4.7 seconds. The Audi A8 is third with quick acceleration but low top speed and the BMW 740i comes in last with respectable acceleration and an incredible top speed. The A8 and 7-Series both have the highest top speed among the competitors. Overall, the S-Class could do with better top speed but the pricier trim makes up in that regard. 

2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Ride and Handling

Being a top of the line Sedan, people expect the S-Class to handle well and it does not disappoint. For a large sedan, its handling is remarkably poised as it uses its strong engine to its fullest potential. It is stable when taking turns and the Multi-link suspension in the front and the rear make sure that bumps on the road aren’t even noticeable. The S-Class also has AIRMATIC semi-active suspension that makes it glide over bumps with ease and feel much more premium than regular suspension systems. The brakes have smooth yet powerful braking action and the car does not jerk when the brakes kick in. The ECO Start/Stop system is seamless when engaged and the car does not hesitate to start when stopped at spotlights or other idle situations. The executive line and the AMG line are built for tight turns and perform extraordinarily well when parking in the city due to their tight turn radii. Overall, the 2023 S-Class handles like a dream, no wonder other Sedans are always compared to it when it comes to handling. 

2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Braking performance

As mentioned earlier the brakes in the S-Class sedan are responsive and reassuringly quick. It also comes with Torque Vectoring Brake technology that provides additional control and precision in turns via targeted rear-wheel braking. The S-Class’s Adaptive braking technology also helps to keep the brakes primed for use right after you accelerate quickly. The amazing inclusion of Automatic Brake Drying that helps keep the brakes dry during rain is also a welcome addition. For safety reasons, Mercedes Benz has also included Active Brake Assist which can automatically detect and apply adequate braking power and if the driver does not respond, initiate braking automatically. 

With the smallest brake rotors among its competitors, the S-Class still carries itself well and has a quick braking action, without necessarily correlating to bigger brake rotors. The Audi A8 has the biggest front brake rotors and the BMW 7-Series has the biggest back rotors and is the lightest among its competitors. The Lexus LS also has decently sized brake rotors but it's the heaviest amongst its competition. Overall, the brakes on the BMW 7-Series are the most consistent and would provide a reliably quicker braking action due to its lighter frame and bigger rotors. 

The mild hybrid configuration present in the 2023 S-Class makes this luxurious Sedan a relatively fuel-efficient car as well. It features a perfect middle ground between break-neck performance and sustainable fuel efficiency. It provides a fuel efficiency of upwards of 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway for a combined fuel efficiency of 23 mpg. It has a class-leading 22.2-gallon fuel tank that makes sure you don’t run out of gas anytime soon and can enjoy a long driving range. Speaking of range, the S-Class has a range of 444 miles in the city and 621.60 miles on the highway on a full tank of gas. 

With the biggest fuel tank and the second best fuel efficiency among its competitors, the 2023 S-Class has the best range when it comes to driving on the highway. The BMW 7-Series once again takes the lead with a class-leading fuel efficiency which is much higher than its competition. However, the 740i also has the smallest fuel tank among its competitors and the longest range when it comes to the city. The Audi A8 has decent fuel efficiency and comes in third whereas the Lexus LS 500 could do with a little better fuel efficiency but it's still a viable option in the long run. 

One of the strongest contributors to the legendary status of the S-Class sedan is its interior. The interior of the 2023 S-Class is no different as it blends modern and acoustic aesthetics together in a seamless fashion. The prioritization of screens can be a bit disturbing for some as the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is followed by 11.6-inch screens behind the front seats. The Interior quality is unmatched as the 12-way power adjustable driver seat and front passenger seat are heated, ventilated, and have leather upholstery all over them. The seats also feature a massaging system integrated into them. The rear seats are limousine-like and have a wide space and luxurious foldable armrests. The S-Class features Dual-zone automatic climate control that allows the driver and front passenger to enjoy personalized comfort. 

The S-Class has above average interior space among its competitors but the quality and look of the interiors far outclasses the rest. The Audi A8 has the best overall interior space but the lowest trunk space, closely followed by the BMW 7-Series with the second-best interior space and the best cargo capacity. The C-Class comes in third place with average interior space and cargo capacity and the Lexus LS 500 comes last with the smallest cabin but the second-best trunk space.

Some of the standout interior features found in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan are:- 

• Bucket front seats
• Height adjustable Driver seat with power adjustable lumbar support
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel 
• Wood trimmed dashboard
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Premium leather upholstery 

2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Infotainment system 

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class features a cutting-edge 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen as its central multimedia display. The UI is intuitive and can be activated through biometric or voice recognition means. There is a notable lack of a rotary controller for the Infotainment system but that is made up by the MBUX Interior Assistant which uses 3D cameras to automatically observe the driver reaching for the touchscreen and provide useful information and desired features. Other features include a Steering wheel with Touch Control Buttons, Biometric authentication, Mercedes-Benz User Experience, MB Navigation, Voice Control with Natural Language Understanding, MBUX Augmented Video for Navigation, Burmester 3D Surround Sound system, Inductive wireless charging with NFC pairing, Wireless Apple CarPlay, and Wireless Android Auto connectivity. Some of the standout features in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan’s infotainment system include:- 

• 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen
• MBUX Interior Assistant
• Burmester 3D Surround Sound system
• Voice Control with Natural Language Understanding
• MBUX Augmented Video for Navigation
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Wireless Android Auto connectivity
• SiriusXM 6-month Platinum Plan trial subscription
• HD Radio receiver

The exterior of the 2023 S-Class exudes class and elegance that defined what a luxury car was and it keeps redefining it with each iteration. The exterior of the Sedan features a timeless classic look with an elegant dome-shaped roofline. Along with that, a radiator grille comes as standard with three chrome louvers that give the front fascia the iconic S-Class appearance. Along with that, we see integrated tailpipe trim elements and LED rear lamps provide a shine at the rear. The incredible ground clearance of just 5.1 inches gives it a hunkered-down stance. The inclusion of a Panoramic sliding sunroof not only boosts the interior but also provides a contrast to the C-Class. The MULTIBEAM LED headlights have a beautiful finish with interior accents with a golden touch. 

The 2023 S-Class is on the lighter side of the competition along with the widest body and an above average length. It also has the longest wheelbase among its competition tied with the 7-Series, its long-standing rival. The Audi A8 is on the heavier side with average-sized exterior proportions. The BMW 7-Series is the lightest among its competitors and has the longest and tallest exterior. The Lexus LS 500 is the heaviest among its competitors and is on the smaller side when it comes to exterior proportions.

Some of the standout exterior features of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan are:-

• Panoramic sliding sunroof
• MULTIBEAM LED headlights 
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Low ground clearance 
• Radiator grille with three chrome louvers
•  LED rear lamps 

The 2023 S-Class has an incredibly vast array of safety features working in its favor. With the GUARD 360 anti theft alarm system, it provides a secure environment around it, and the inclusion of SmartKey with a keyless start was always an amazing inclusion. Other than that we see security features like ECO Start/Stop system, PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with pedestrian detection and automatic braking, Active Distance Assist, Active Steering Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function, Active Emergency Stop Assist, Active speed limit and Blind spot monitoring system, just to name a few. Apart from these, we also see the inclusion of Front and rear head airbags and Dual front and dual rear side-mounted airbags. These safety measures keep you and your loved ones safe through any unforeseen automobile hazards.

Some of the standout safety measures in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan are:- 

• Blind spot monitoring
• Lane departure warning 
• Automatic Emergency braking and Brake assist
• Brake drying
• Rear door child safety locks with Child seat anchors
• Stability control and Traction control

2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Vs 2023 Audi A8 L 55

The 2023 S-Class beats the 2023 A8 handsomely, keeping in mind the lower price of the Audi. The S-Class has better horsepower, quicker acceleration, a lighter body, better fuel efficiency and range due to a bigger tank, better cargo capacity, a longer wheelbase, and a taller build. Whereas the Audi A8 has more spacious interiors and bigger brake rotors. We must also keep in mind that the difference by which the S-Class beats the A8 isn’t huge, it's marginal at best. Overall, the 2023 S-Class is leagues above the A8 be it in terms of power, design, specifications, or comfort. 

2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Vs 2023 BMW 7-Series 740i

The 7-Series and the S-Class have gone head to head for over a decade now, they have a fierce rivalry and they are compared to each other all the time. For 2023, however, BMW has stepped up its game immensely as the 2023 740i has a better top speed, a lighter body, far better fuel efficiency and range, more interior space, and better Cargo Capacity. Whereas the S-CLass has better horsepower output and quicker acceleration. Slowly but surely we have seen this trend of BMW outdoing Mercedes Benz while simultaneously keeping prices low. The 7-Series has also had design elements that make it just as premium and elegant looking as the S-Class. 

2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Vs 2023 Lexus LS LS 500

The S-Class once again beats the LS 500 with ease with its better horsepower, lighter body, better fuel efficiency, a bigger driving range, more spacious interiors, and a longer wheelbase. Whereas the LS 500 has quicker acceleration, better top speed, bigger brake rotors, and a better cargo capacity. The S-Class outclasses the LS 500 in almost every regard other than power. However, we must also keep in mind that the LS 500 is a lot cheaper than the S-Class at just $80,500 and for that lower price the LS 500 holds its own when it comes to raw power output and utilities like better cargo capacity. 

We would wholeheartedly recommend the 2023 iteration of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, it has an iconic look that exudes class and elegance, an incredibly powerful engine, quick and agile handling, and sustainable fuel efficiency. It also features class-leading interior elements and safety features that make sure you and your passengers remain safe. It has a legacy that it carries with grace and it is bound to turn heads as it did decades ago and has done ever since. The S-Class continues to be the ideal luxury sedan with exquisite interior design, competent power output, an exterior design that is sure to impress, and the addition of cutting edge technology. Its design may be more conservative than its eye-catching rivals like the BMW 7-Series or the Lexus LS 500, but it's done by choice and functions as a part of its appeal. Other than that, each component of the S-Class is designed with utmost polish and careful delineation. The addition of the warranty packages for the basic, powertrain, and rust warranty is a welcome addition to the roster.