Pros: Interior space and comfort are among the world’s best; supple ride quality; library quietness; smooth, ample power
Cons: Sky-high prices; complicated control layout takes lots of practice to use
CG Says: After its redesign for 2014, Mercedes-Benz’s flagship large-car line adds V12-powered S600 and S65 AMG models, as well as a touchpad COMAND controller instead of a keypad. Carbon-ceramic brakes and a heads-up display are newly available on AMG models. Also, a coupe body style officially joins the lineup, as the former CL-Class coupes are renamed S-Class. An S550 Plug-In Hybrid sedan and an ultra-luxury S600 Mercedes-Maybach sedan will join the S-Class lineup as early 2016 models. The S-Class lineup grows much stronger as Mercedes-Benz adds desirable new variations that suit a broader range of luxury tastes. Although it’s not perfect, make no mistake that the S-Class remains a luxury car of the highest order, easily competing with the best sedans and coupes in the world.
| Class | Premium Large Car |
| Body Style(s) | 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe |
| Passenger Count | 5 |
| Drive Wheels | rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
| Nation of Manufacture | Germany |
| Base Prices | S550 sedan: $94,400 S550 Plug-In Hybrid sedan: $94,400 AWD S550 sedan: $97,400 AWD S550 coupe: $119,900 AWD S63 AMG sedan: $141,450 AWD S63 AMG coupe: $160,900 S600 sedan: $166,900 S65 AMG sedan: $222,000 S65 AMG coupe: $230,900 |
| Base Engine turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 |
| Horsepower 449 |
| Std. Transmission 7-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 16 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 24-26 |
| Optional Engine turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 |
| Horsepower 577 |
| Std. Transmission 7-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 15 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 23 |
| Optional Engine turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 |
| Horsepower 523 (S600), 621 (S65 AMG) |
| Std. Transmission 7-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 13 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 20-21 |
