Here are some of the common facts about the 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Kindly go through the review and ensure you drop us a comment in the section below.
Long the choice for buyers seeking solid, unaffable deportment and a distinguished presence, the Mercedes-Benz S-class has become synonymous with power and affluence. Its six-figure starting price certainly plays a role, but it wouldn’t have stayed on top for so long without the class-leading ride and comfort, upscale furnishings, and smooth and muscular powertrains that define it.
The latter comes in the form of either a 442-hp turbocharged straight-six, a 496-hp twin-turbo V-8, or a plug-in hybrid that pairs the turbo six with an electric motor. The ride and handling benefit from a standard air-spring suspension, and heated and ventilated massaging front seats coddle the occupants.
Well-equipped as standard, there’s also a long list of optional hides, woods, and colors to personalize the S-class to your taste. If there is an area of contention, it’s the sheer number of screens and their almost overwhelming amount of controls and features.
Still, while many rivals, including the Audi A8, BMW 7-series, and Genesis G90, have made inroads onto the big Benz’s turf, for now at least, it remains the king of full-size luxury sedans. As one of our favorites in its segment, the Mercedes-Benz S-class has also earned a spot on our Editors’ Choice list for 2025.
What’s New for 2025?
Mild updates arrive for 2025, including a center airbag and a standard digital key. New Verde Silver and Sonoran Brown exterior paint hues fill in for the departing Mojave Silver and Onyx Black.
The four-zone climate control, previously available only as part of a package, is now a standalone option; similarly, AMG Line trim is now a standalone package that can be added to the Luxury and Executive trims.
Those looking for an even mightier, performance-focused model can check out the AMG S-class. And for those with money to burn, there’s the Mercedes-Maybach S-class (both reviewed separately).
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-class starts at $118,900 and goes up to $129,750, depending on the trim and options.
Once you pass the $100K point, economizing seems pointless. We suggest going for the S580 as it nets the big turbo V-8, not to mention Nappa leather upholstery—sure, the S500 has leather, but not Nappa leather—and a heated steering wheel as standard kit. Live a little.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Mercedes offers the S-class sedan with either a 442-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine in the S500 or a 496-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 in the S580. Both powertrains are supplemented by a 48-volt hybrid system and pair with a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive.
The S580e plug-in hybrid uses an inline-six and an electric motor to pump out 510 horsepower; all-wheel drive is standard here as well.
We’ve luxuriated in the S-class sedan and put our test equipment on every model, all of which have delivered impressive acceleration. While every S-class rides on an air suspension, the optional E-Active Body Control has a “curve” function that subtly leans the car into corners. The S-class can also be equipped with an all-wheel-steering system that makes the big-bodied Merc surprisingly easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
0-60-MPH Times
At our test track, the six-cylinder S500 hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, the plug-in-hybrid S580e did it in 4.2, and the V–8–powered S580 managed a 3.9-second time.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The EPA estimates the S580e’s electric range should be 46 miles, giving it a lengthy head start before its inline-six engine awakens.
However, during our range test, it managed 58 miles. A 9.6-kW onboard charger is standard and is good enough for charging the 22.7-kWh battery at home, but if you’re hoping to quickly juice the battery on a public charger, you should order the optional 60-kW DC charger.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The six-cylinder S500 is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Stepping up to the V-8-powered S580 drops those estimates to 18 mpg city and 27 highway.
However, we tested the latter on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, and it achieved 32 mpg on the highway, beating its EPA estimate by 5 mpg.
Meanwhile, the S580e plug-in hybrid managed 36 mpg in that same test, after its battery was depleted. For more information about the S-class’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Inside, the S-class prioritizes screens. Lots of them. The sedan is available with up to five, including a giant center touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. The latter works in concert with other technology to create a three-dimensional effect, but—thankfully—it can be turned off if you’d prefer the screens to have a conventional appearance.
There’s also an enhanced head-up display that will show navigation directions in augmented reality. Arrows move and turn in real-time to supposedly better assist the driver. The build quality and cabin materials live up to Mercedes’ upscale standards, and the sedan provides limousine-like accommodations for all passengers, specifically those riding in the back.
The new model’s rear-seat area offers slightly increased headroom and legroom, and it can also be equipped with power-adjustable reclining seats that have massage functions and extensive heating elements.
Along with being physically coddled, those in the back should be mentally entertained by the optional rear-seat entertainment system that adds two 11.6-inch screens on the front seatbacks as well as the interactive LED interior lighting.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A cutting-edge infotainment system has become a hallmark of modern luxury cars, and Mercedes makes good on that with its latest and greatest interface. The sedan’s center stack is dominated by a huge 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen that sits portrait-style, but it doesn’t come with any sort of touchpad or rotary controller.
What it does come with is an enhanced version of Mercedes’ MBUX software that features improved voice-command functions and smartphone-esque capability, including facial recognition and fingerprint scanning.
Of course, popular staples such as wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless charging are standard. It looks great and has many features, but is complicated with multiple screen touches required to access some of the functions. The S-class sedan also has a standard Burmester 3D sound system, but a more powerful Burmester 4D stereo is available, too.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Every S-class comes with an array of standard driver-assistance technology, including the ability to park itself and even take preventative measures to protect passengers when it detects an imminent collision. The sedan is also available with innovative features that include rear-seat airbags and an active suspension that will lift the car to reduce the severity of damage during a collision. For more information about the S-class’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Mercedes has surprisingly mediocre warranty coverage compared with the protection that’s offered by some other luxury brands. For example, Genesis offers a significantly longer limited powertrain warranty. BMW and Jaguar also have some of the best complimentary maintenance in the biz.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance.
