2021 Mercedes S-Class - Exterior and interior Details (The King is Back)
- 2 years ago
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
BASE PRICE (C/D EST)
S500 4Matic, $100,000; S580 4Matic, $110,000
ENGINES
supercharged, turbocharged, and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter inline-6, 429 hp, 384 lb-ft; twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve 4.0-liter V-8, 496 hp, 516 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION
9-speed automatic
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 4.1–5.0 sec
100 mph: 10.2–12.5 sec
1/4 mile: 12.7–13.5 sec
Top speed: 130 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/city/highway: 23–24/20–21/29–30 mpg
Highs A showcase of high-tech features, beautifully-tailored and delightfully serene interior, rear-axle steering makes this barge surprisingly nimble.
Lows A noticeable lack of flashiness, some craftsmanship sacrificed for digital instrumentation, adaptive cruise had inconsistent behavior in heavy traffic.
Verdict As the flagship of Mercedes-Benz, the S-class has the company's most innovative technology and unquestionably high levels of luxury.
What's New for 2021?
The 2021 S-class sedan ushers in an all-new generation. It attempts to improve on the outgoing model by offering more style, more luxury, more space, and even more technology. We expect the high-performance AMG variants and the ultra-luxurious Maybach model to debut sometime after that. While Mercedes has said that there won't be a next generation of the S-class coupe and convertible (called cabriolet), those 2020 models will carry over into 2021 without any changes.
Although its starting price is significantly higher than the 2020 model, the new S-class boasts a host of modernizations and improvements to justify it's six-figure price tag. We think the ultimate luxury item is a powerful engine, so we'd pay extra to have the 496-hp V-8 and the more prestigious S580 trunklid badge.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Mercedes offers the sedan with either a 429-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine on the S500 or a 496-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 on the S580. Both powertrains are supplemented by a 48-volt hybrid system (called EQ Boost) and pair with a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive. There will also be a plug-in-hybrid model that's said to have about 60 miles of all-electric range. The S560 coupe and convertible also feature a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8, but it's not electrically enhanced and makes 463 horses. Still, the last coupe we tested had smooth, expeditious acceleration that didn't disrupt passenger comfort. It also provided precise feedback from the steering and needed 178 feet to stop from 70 mph. As for the new sedan, we recently rode in a prototype S-class that showcased the sedan's different suspension and steering modes. While every model rides on an air suspension, we sampled the E-Active Body Control, which has a "curve" function" that subtly leans the car into corners. ...
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
BASE PRICE (C/D EST)
S500 4Matic, $100,000; S580 4Matic, $110,000
ENGINES
supercharged, turbocharged, and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter inline-6, 429 hp, 384 lb-ft; twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve 4.0-liter V-8, 496 hp, 516 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION
9-speed automatic
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 4.1–5.0 sec
100 mph: 10.2–12.5 sec
1/4 mile: 12.7–13.5 sec
Top speed: 130 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/city/highway: 23–24/20–21/29–30 mpg
Highs A showcase of high-tech features, beautifully-tailored and delightfully serene interior, rear-axle steering makes this barge surprisingly nimble.
Lows A noticeable lack of flashiness, some craftsmanship sacrificed for digital instrumentation, adaptive cruise had inconsistent behavior in heavy traffic.
Verdict As the flagship of Mercedes-Benz, the S-class has the company's most innovative technology and unquestionably high levels of luxury.
What's New for 2021?
The 2021 S-class sedan ushers in an all-new generation. It attempts to improve on the outgoing model by offering more style, more luxury, more space, and even more technology. We expect the high-performance AMG variants and the ultra-luxurious Maybach model to debut sometime after that. While Mercedes has said that there won't be a next generation of the S-class coupe and convertible (called cabriolet), those 2020 models will carry over into 2021 without any changes.
Although its starting price is significantly higher than the 2020 model, the new S-class boasts a host of modernizations and improvements to justify it's six-figure price tag. We think the ultimate luxury item is a powerful engine, so we'd pay extra to have the 496-hp V-8 and the more prestigious S580 trunklid badge.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Mercedes offers the sedan with either a 429-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine on the S500 or a 496-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 on the S580. Both powertrains are supplemented by a 48-volt hybrid system (called EQ Boost) and pair with a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive. There will also be a plug-in-hybrid model that's said to have about 60 miles of all-electric range. The S560 coupe and convertible also feature a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8, but it's not electrically enhanced and makes 463 horses. Still, the last coupe we tested had smooth, expeditious acceleration that didn't disrupt passenger comfort. It also provided precise feedback from the steering and needed 178 feet to stop from 70 mph. As for the new sedan, we recently rode in a prototype S-class that showcased the sedan's different suspension and steering modes. While every model rides on an air suspension, we sampled the E-Active Body Control, which has a "curve" function" that subtly leans the car into corners. ...