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What kind of car is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class? What does it compare to?
The 2023 S-Class is the flagship vehicle for the Mercedes-Benz brand. This year, the S-Class is available only as a sedan, though it sets the industry standard in terms of technology and luxury. Notable rivals include the Audi A8, Lexus LS, and BMW 7-Series.
Is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class a good car?
Yes. It’s fantastic all around and does nearly everything well. It’s spacious, powerful, smooth, and full of the latest safety and interior technology features. We award a high TCC rating of 7.2 out of 10. (Read more abouthow we rate cars.)
What’s new for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
No news is good news. The S-Class carries over unchanged for 2023, though Mercedes has expanded the Manufaktur menu of custom paint and upholstery, relevant only if you intend to spend extra to the tune of five figures to get the color scheme of your dreams. And along the same spendy lines, there’s a new edition of the 2023 Mercedes-Maybach S680 called the Haute Voiture, limited to just 150 examples in all its two-tone blue and rose gold glory. Mercedes says it’s going on sale in early 2023, though pricing has not yet been revealed for this edition or for the rest of the 2023 Maybach S line.
Last year, Mercedes consolidated the S-Class family by axing the convertible and coupe models. That makes a lineup of just four sedans, the S500 4Matic and S580 4Matic under the regular Mercedes-Benz branding, and then the rarefied air of Mercedes-Maybach with the Maybach S580 4Matic and Maybach S680 4Matic.
The stately S-Class is wide and long, with soft character lines flowing from the wide grille along the large greenhouse and short trunk. Maybach models feature chrome trim and optional two-tone paint for a more ostentatious look. All feature cabins that blend technology and luxury, with large displays offset with quality leather, metal, and wood trim.
The S500 4Matic kicks off the lineup with a 429-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged-6 engine boosted by a mild-hybrid system that adds up to 184 lb-ft of torque and 21 hp. Next up is the S580 4Matic, which gets a twin-turbocharged V-8 rated for 496 hp and also augmented with the mild-hybrid setup, in both Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-Maybach branding. Then there’s the Maybach S680 4Matic, powered by a twin-turbo 6.0-liter V-12 rated for 621 hp. A smooth 9-speed automatic is standard across the lineup, capable of pushing every trim from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds or less.
Considering the S-Class’s power, its fuel economy ratings, which top out at 21 mpg combined, aren’t terrible.
The S-Class provides a comfortable ride and puts agility aside. The standard air suspension system features adaptive dampers that smooth out most bumps, though the body leans considerably through turns. If that’s a concern, consider the available rear-axle steering, which provides a tighter turning radius, particularly useful in parking lots. The available E-Active Body control system evaluates road conditions for on-the-fly hydraulic adjustment to each wheel to smooth bumps and flatten handling through turns.
The cabin features both a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch touchscreen, the latter of which houses the MBUX infotainment interface. Both screens, as well as the optional head-up display, can show navigation prompts overlaid with augmented reality information. The infotainment system can also be upgraded with a gesture control system.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class offers plenty of seating space; the Mercedes-Maybach models add 7.0 inches of length, enough to turn the rear row into a veritable lounge.
How much does the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cost?
The entry-level S500 4Matic sedan starts at $112,050, which includes a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, power-adjustable seating, heating, cooling, and massage seating, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, navigation, gesture controls, a Burmester audio system, and 19-inch wheels.
Mercedes also includes plenty of safety tech, such as automatic emergency braking, active blind-spot monitors, active lane control, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and automatic parking.
Pricing hasn’t yet been revealed for the 2023 Maybach S-Class models, though the 2022 models started at $185,950.
Where is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class made?
It’s made in Sindelfingen, Germany.
