The Big Picture of the Mercedes Benz S Class
If the Mercedes Benz S Class were a country, it would have a seat at the UN, a diplomatic motorcade, and a better audio system than your living room. The new Mercedes Benz S Class is, as ever, the brand’s manifesto of what luxury should be. A quiet revolution of comfort, tech and refinement that gently raises the bar for everyone else. In this review I look at every variant the S family offers today, from the sensible S 500 through the plug-in S 580e, the V8-powered S 580, the AMG S 63 E Performance and up to the ultra-luxurious Maybach models. This entire piece sits inside the world of the Mercedes Benz S Class, with enough detail to satisfy both nerds and night-time test drivers.
Orientation: Why the Mercedes Benz S Class Still Matters
Mercedes Benz S Class is the laboratory of the company. All wild ideas, all new chassis tests, all smart comfort technology tend to be revealed here. Customers who purchase the Mercedes Benz S Class are well aware that they are entering into a car that offers both driver luxury and limo perfection. That dual character carries on in the 2025 update by providing powertrains that would stretch from mild hybrids to plug-in hybrids, full V8 charisma, electrified AMG power, and Maybach grandeur.
Mercedes Benz S Class Lineup: What’s Available in 2025
Mercedes sells the Mercedes Benz S Class in several bold flavours, depending on where you live. The big ones include:
- S 500: The balanced introduction to the Mercedes Benz S Class, using an inline six mild hybrid with strong performance.
- S 580e: A plug-in hybrid that adds electric silence for city running and polite departures.
- S 580: The proper V8 version for those who want torque delivered with authority.
- AMG S 63 E Performance: A high-powered hybrid rocket that shows the wild side of the Mercedes Benz S Class.
- Maybach S 580 / Maybach S 680: The red carpet variants. Longer, quieter, richer and built for owners who may never see the driver’s seat.
Together, these versions make the Mercedes Benz S Class one of the most versatile luxury ranges on sale.
What’s New in the Mercedes Benz S Class (2025)
Mercedes has layered more brilliance into the Mercedes Benz S Class this generation:
- A richer cabin: More immersive displays and improved comfort systems enhance the Mercedes Benz S Class interior and make every journey feel curated.
- Electrified brains: From mild hybrids to PHEVs to electrified AMG power, the Mercedes Benz S Class balances power and quiet refinement.
- Chassis improvements: Air suspension, rear-axle steering and enhanced ride software make the big sedan feel lighter and smarter.
- Maybach upgrades: The extra-long models take the idea of comfort and simply dial everything higher.
Core Specs Across the Mercedes Benz S Class
Here’s a summary of how the major Mercedes Benz S Class variants compare:
Engines and Performance
- S 500: 3.0L inline-6 plus mild hybrid
- S 580e: PHEV with strong combined output
- S 580: 4.0L V8 mild hybrid
- AMG S 63: Electrified V8 muscle
- Maybach S 680: 6.0L twin-turbo V12
- Regardless of variant, the Mercedes Benz S Class never feels underpowered.
Dimensions and Practicality
The Mercedes Benz S Class is long, wide and substantial. Maybach versions stretch even more. Boot space varies depending on hybrid batteries. The rear seat room is always generous.
Driving Experience: The Strange Magic of the Mercedes Benz S Class
Take the Mercedes Benz S Class through a crowded city and it feels like Mercedes has invented a new category of silence. Double-glazed windows, insulation materials and active noise cancelling turn traffic noise into a distant rumour.
Push the Mercedes Benz S Class through corners and the big car suddenly transforms. Rear-axle steering makes it rotate like something far smaller. Body control remains disciplined and steering accuracy is impressive.
Each variant has its own character:
- S 500: Smooth, quick and surprisingly eager to play.
- S 580e: Almost whisper quiet in EV mode. The hybrid blend suits urban living.
- S 580 V8: The classic Mercedes Benz S Class energy. Strong, sophisticated and always ready.
- AMG S 63 E: Proof that even heavy luxury can be hilariously quick.
- Maybach: A moving hotel suite. Plush, serene and obsessed with pampering. The Mercedes Benz S Class makes comfort its mission but never forgets how to drive properly.
Inside the Mercedes Benz S Class
The Mercedes Benz S Class interior feels like first class on a long-haul airline. Seats bend, shape, heat, cool and massage you. Ambient lighting responds to your mood. The fragrance system whispers scent into the vents. Burmester speakers deliver concert-level clarity.
Also read: 2025 BMW M4 Competition Review: What’s New and How It Drives
Screens are modern yet understated. The digital cluster flows smoothly. The central OLED display sits like a floating command centre. Rear-seat passengers get footrests, massage seats, reclining loungers and more tech than some living rooms.
Every inch of the Mercedes Benz S Class interior feels curated, polished and incredibly indulgent.
Tech, Infotainment and Safety: The Mercedes Benz S Class Brainpower
The S-Class is where Mercedes puts its smartest ideas before they spread elsewhere. That means:
- Augmented navigation
- Intelligent climate moods
- Predictive seat adjustments
- Full driver assist suite
- Relaxation profiles
- Advanced collision systems
The Mercedes Benz S Class reads the driver’s intentions with uncanny accuracy. It is a car that watches the road, helps the driver and gently guides the experience.
Ownership and Practicality
Running a Mercedes Benz S Class is not cheap. Servicing, tyres and brakes carry premium pricing, especially for AMG or Maybach owners. The Mercedes S Class cost reflects craftsmanship and engineering depth.
Hybrid models can reduce fuel usage. The Mercedes Benz S Class mileage remains respectable given its size and luxury. Rear passengers enjoy limo-quality comfort. Boot space varies depending on the variant.
The Mercedes Benz S Class ground clearance is acceptable for daily luxury use but must be respected on large bumps.
Trivia Corner: Because the Mercedes Benz S Class Deserves Stories
- The S stands for Sonderklasse meaning Special Class.
- Many safety inventions were first tested in the Mercedes Benz S Class.
- Maybach models revive a legacy that once rivalled Rolls Royce.
Which Mercedes Benz S Class Variant Should You Buy
For buyers wondering which Mercedes Benz S Class is the right one:
- S 500: Perfect if you want the best mix of comfort and performance.
- S 580e: Ideal for city driving with regular charging.
- S 580 V8: The sweet spot for buyers who want effortless torque.
- AMG S 63: For drivers who enjoy performance without sacrificing comfort.
- Maybach: If the rear seat is your office, lounge and sanctuary.
Every version of the Mercedes Benz S Class plays its role perfectly.
Final Verdict on the Mercedes Benz S Class
The Mercedes Benz S Class remains the flagship benchmark. Whether you choose efficient hybrid power, smooth V8 strength, AMG shock value or Maybach indulgence, the result is always the same. Extraordinary comfort. Serious intelligence. Quiet dominance. The 2025 Mercedes Benz S Class does not shout about its excellence. It simply behaves like the standard-setter it has always been. It is the car that makes everything else feel like a compromise. In short, the Mercedes Benz S Class continues its reign as the world’s most complete luxury sedan.
About The Author
