Decoding the Mercedes S-Class Facelift: Luxury, Tech, and Unexpected Flaws
The Mercedes S-Class has long been synonymous with automotive luxury, setting benchmarks for comfort, technology, and refinement. Yet, as the video above reveals, Mercedes-Benz’s latest extensive mid-life facelift for the S-Class isn’t without its surprising quirks. While around 50% of the car has seen changes, aiming for the most luxurious saloon in its category, some elements surprisingly fall short of its premium aspirations. This deeper dive explores where the S-Class excels and where it might leave a discerning luxury buyer wanting more, weighing its impressive technological advancements against some questionable design choices and material selections.
The Evolving Exterior: A Facelift Under Scrutiny
Front-End Redesign: Plastic vs. Posh
Mercedes-Benz touts this S-Class update as its most extensive mid-life facelift ever, introducing significant alterations primarily at the front. The new lights are a notable upgrade, now featuring distinctive three-pointed star daytime running lights that add a touch of modern elegance. However, the redesigned grille, particularly in the AMG Line model with its blacked-out elements, presents a mixed impression. Instead of screaming luxury, the design can appear “plasticky” according to some initial reactions. While a chrome surround and chrome elements are available, offering a posher look, the underlying impression of less-than-premium material persists. Furthermore, the subtle star motifs meant to signify Mercedes’ heritage are largely lost in the blacked-out grille, only truly “popping” in the chrome variants. The classic three-pointed star emblem remains the sole undeniable symbol of luxury on the front.
Subtle Side Profile & Door Handles
Changes along the side of the S-Class are less dramatic but still contribute to its refreshed aesthetic. New 20-inch alloy wheel designs are available, enhancing its road presence. Mercedes also integrated new camera units for upgraded sensors, subtly improving the car’s advanced driver-assistance capabilities. The AMG Line’s blacked-out trim around the window line, however, raises a question of suitability for a car of this stature; typically, the S-Class aesthetic leans more towards chrome for a truly luxurious feel. Perhaps the most peculiar detail mentioned is the door handles. Their spring mechanism has been likened to a “bad handshake,” a seemingly minor tactile experience that, in a luxury car, can surprisingly detract from the overall premium impression. Luxury cars should offer a smooth, reassuring feel in every interaction, and such details matter.
Rear Refinement: A Step Up?
The rear of the S-Class sees more extensive changes, with virtually all non-metal components redesigned. A new decorative strip, a refreshed light design incorporating the three-pointed stars, and re-sculpted rear bumpers contribute to a more contemporary and upscale appearance compared to the previous generation. While the rear aesthetic generally receives higher praise than the front, the inclusion of exaggerated exhaust surrounds, despite housing real exhaust pipes, might appeal more to sporty preferences than traditional luxury sensibilities.
Stepping Inside: The S-Class Interior Experience
Superscreen Dominance and Digital Dash
The cabin of the new S-Class introduces its most significant overhaul, centered around the “Superscreen” dash design. This innovative setup integrates the main infotainment display seamlessly with a separate screen dedicated to the passenger, both coming as standard. This multi-screen layout represents a considerable advancement over its predecessor, offering a more modern and technologically immersive environment. The digital driver’s display complements this with exceptional clarity and intuitive swipe functionality for navigating various options and menus. Many find this layout superior to competitors, such as the BMW 7 Series, which can sometimes feel awkward or less cohesive in its digital integration.
Material Choices and Comfort Conundrums
While the basic door structure remains, Mercedes has updated interior trims, designs, and colors, providing a wider range of options, including an eye-catching green finish and even a vegan leather alternative. However, the expectation for an S-Class often gravitates towards traditional leather for that ultimate luxury feel. The new steering wheel attempts a balance with physical controls for volume and cruise distance, but retains touch-sensitive buttons for display menus, which can be less intuitive. The updated center console is a triumph of thoughtful design, featuring a 50-watt wireless phone charger that is ingeniously ventilated to prevent overheating. It also houses convenient cupholders, additional storage compartments, and multiple USB-C ports. Despite these improvements, some perceive the overall material quality in certain areas as a step down, with plastic elements feeling less premium or even “pre-production” in their tactile response, leaving a hollow sound that undermines the full premium vibe. Seat comfort, while generally good with a plush pillow, has been noted as slightly firmer than the BMW 7 Series, suggesting that outright plushness might have been compromised in some aspects.
Rear Seat Luxury and Practicality
The rear cabin of the S-Class, while receiving minimal structural changes, still offers a refined experience. The updated center console design includes new air vents and features like cooled or heated cupholders, enhancing passenger comfort. For those opting for the ultimate rear-seat experience, larger rear infotainment screens are available, though their thick, “old-fashioned” bezels are a curious design choice. The car featured a two-seater “First Class” seating arrangement, allowing for an expansive, fully reclined position with a heel rest, though achieving this requires holding down a button. A three-seater bench option is also available. Practicality is considered with ample storage, four USB ports, and wireless charging, though the fixed wireless charging pad is noted as a perpetual appendage even when not in use. Rear-seat passengers also benefit from remote controls that act like a mouse, providing intuitive command over the screens and functions such as massage seats and ambient lighting, a thoughtful solution for interacting with screens from a reclined position. Sunblinds further enhance privacy and light control, and an optional fridge underscores its executive-level amenities.
Tech Triumphs and Troubles: The S-Class Infotainment and Innovations
Infotainment Excellence: MBUX and Accessibility
The new Mercedes S-Class boasts an impressive MBUX infotainment system. Its graphics are notably sharp, colors bright, and menus logically arranged for easy navigation. A particularly appreciated feature is the dedicated button to disable annoying driver aids, a testament to user feedback. The system offers an “infinite array of colors” for ambient lighting, transforming the cabin’s mood at will. Climate controls, though primarily screen-based, are conveniently located for the driver, and thankfully, traditional vent direction controls remain. However, a slight lag in the brand-new system’s responsiveness is an unexpected drawback, akin to a cheap mobile phone experience, hindering what is otherwise a top-tier system.
Groundbreaking Features: Beyond Standard Luxury
- Augmented Reality Navigation: The heads-up display (HUD) on the S-Class is truly cutting-edge, offering augmented reality satellite navigation. This overlays navigational directions directly onto the road ahead, making guidance incredibly intuitive. Despite the impressive functionality, it requires a significant cutout in the dash, which some might find aesthetically intrusive, humorously described as a “washing up basin.” This system is fed by an HD camera, ensuring precise real-world integration.
- Connectivity & Comfort: High-definition cameras are integrated not only at the front but also into the rear screens, enabling advanced features like Microsoft Teams meetings directly from the car. This transforms the S-Class into a mobile office. Beyond connectivity, comfort is redefined with heated front seatbelts, incorporating metal elements to warm up the belt itself—a feature whose necessity might be debatable but certainly highlights Mercedes’ pursuit of ultimate comfort.
- Health & Safety: An advanced air filtration system with an ionization function ensures the cabin air is meticulously clean, purifying the entire vehicle’s air in just 90 seconds. Safety is paramount with an astonishing 16 airbags strategically placed throughout the vehicle, offering comprehensive protection.
- Autonomous Capabilities: The S-Class is a technological marvel in its drive towards autonomous driving. It integrates 9 exterior cameras, 5 radar sensors, and 12 ultrasound sensors, working in concert to provide highly advanced parking features. This system can spot parking spaces ahead of the car, saving time and effort, and can perfectly maneuver the vehicle into a spot, accounting for curbs and preferred parking directions (nose-in or back-in). While full autonomous driving is pending legislation in many regions, these advanced driver aids pave the way for a future of effortless travel.
- Cloud-Based Suspension: A truly innovative feature is the cloud-based suspension system. When an S-Class encounters a bump, its suspension data is sent to the cloud. Other S-Classes approaching that same bump are then alerted, and their suspension adjusts proactively to slacken off, providing a smoother ride. This collaborative intelligence promises to continuously refine ride quality across the Mercedes fleet.
Behind the Wheel: Driving the Mercedes S-Class
Powertrain Options and Hybrid Performance
The S-Class offers a range of sophisticated engine choices to suit various preferences. Buyers can select from diesel, petrol, or two plug-in hybrid variants. For those in the USA, a potent V8 petrol option is also available. The plug-in hybrid, particularly, demonstrates impressive performance with a straight-six electric motor setup, delivering over 500 horsepower. This allows the S-Class to cruise silently on electric power alone for significant distances, with a full battery offering up to 100 kilometers (approximately 60 miles) of pure EV range. This makes it an ideal commuter vehicle for shorter trips, seamlessly switching to the internal combustion engine when more power is needed or the battery depletes.
Ride Comfort: The Magic Carpet Feel
Remarkably, Mercedes chose not to alter the chassis or suspension from the pre-facelift version, confident in its existing excellence. This confidence is well-placed. The S-Class absolutely nails the “magic carpet-like” feel on the road. Its air suspension system is brilliant, effortlessly gliding over bumps and ruts. This, combined with extensive soundproofing, creates an incredibly quiet and serene cabin environment, insulating occupants from the outside world. On fast roads, the S-Class maintains a wonderfully relaxing and “wafty” feel, arguably giving it an edge over rivals like the BMW 7 Series in sheer ride comfort.
Handling and Advanced Driving Aids
Despite its considerable size, the S-Class handles with surprising agility and precise steering. Optional adaptive roll control further enhances its cornering capabilities by minimizing body lean in bends. The suite of advanced driving aids, integrated with the HUD and augmented reality navigation, provides an unparalleled level of assistance. Adaptive cruise control intelligently maintains speed and distance, and while a momentary slight delay in braking was noted, the system generally performs smoothly, even in dense traffic. Features like automatic lane changing (activated with the indicator) contribute to a less fatiguing driving experience on longer journeys.
Practical Considerations and the Price Tag
Boot Space: Hybrid vs. Conventional
Practicality remains a key consideration for luxury saloons, and the S-Class presents a notable difference depending on its powertrain. The non-plug-in hybrid model offers a generous 530 liters of boot space, comfortably accommodating luggage. However, opting for the plug-in hybrid reduces this significantly to 345 liters, due to the space occupied by the battery pack. This difference is substantial, akin to the contrast between fitting a full-sized adult comfortably in the non-hybrid boot versus a tight squeeze in the hybrid.
Annoyances to Consider (Beyond the Tech)
While the S-Class is a technological tour de force, it does harbor a few minor, yet noticeable, drawbacks. The rear infotainment screens are angled in a way that can catch reflections. Unlike some competitors, electrically closing rear doors are not an option, requiring passengers to lean out to shut them manually. For UK buyers, the absence of a short-wheelbase version means only the longer, more challenging-to-park variant is available. The sunroof features a dividing beam, preventing a full-length glass roof. Some intermittent glitches, such as non-deploying door handles or a freezing sunblind, suggest minor software “gremlins.” Finally, the large central screen can be highly reflective, causing distracting flickers or blinding glints from direct sunlight, and the springy nature of the fold-out work tables makes them less than ideal for stable working.
Pricing and Value Proposition
The new Mercedes S-Class starts at approximately £100,000 for the entry-level model. Depending on trim levels and engine choices, the price can escalate to around £120,000, with top-tier configurations reaching up to £140,000. This places it firmly in the ultra-luxury segment. While the driving experience is often described as impeccable and the technology impressive, some argue that certain material choices and design elements, particularly on the exterior, detract from the expected “luxury vibe.” It’s almost as if the engineering brief was flawlessly executed, but cost-cutting measures by “the accountants” subtly reduced the overall premium feel in areas where it matters most to a luxury buyer. As a motoring journalist, one can appreciate the S-Class as an exceptional driving machine, but as a buyer seeking an uncompromised top-of-the-range luxury statement, these subtle shortcomings might push them towards rivals like the BMW 7 Series, which perhaps maintains a more consistent luxury feel throughout.
After the Domination: Your S-Class Q&A
What is the Mercedes S-Class facelift?
The Mercedes S-Class facelift is an extensive mid-life update that changes about 50% of the car. Its main goal is to make the S-Class the most luxurious saloon in its category.
What are some of the new exterior features on the S-Class?
The S-Class features new front lights with distinctive three-pointed star daytime running lights and a redesigned grille. The rear also has a new decorative strip and refreshed light designs.
What are the most significant changes inside the S-Class?
The cabin introduces a new ‘Superscreen’ dash design, which integrates the main infotainment display with a separate passenger screen. There’s also an updated center console with a ventilated wireless phone charger and multiple USB-C ports.
What engine options are available for the Mercedes S-Class?
Buyers can choose from diesel, petrol, or two plug-in hybrid variants. A powerful V8 petrol option is also available specifically for the USA market.
