2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Assessment And Particulars

On-line discourse round Mercedes-Benz has hit an all-time excessive, it appears. Irrespective of the product, announcement, or information clip, the court docket of public opinion weighs in sooner than we will—and oftentimes, they determine that Mercedes is flawed for one purpose or one other. 

Generally that may be an excellent factor; the four-cylinder C63 was so extensively criticized that Mercedes ended up killing it fully. ​However the web is the web, and meaning, sadly for them, they’re typically flawed. 

What’s the web flawed about? Nicely, on this case, it’s the facelifted S-Class, which a lot of our commenters have been… crucial of. We went to Germany to drive it, and to the frustration of many, it’s truly good. Actually good.

​The S-Class obtained a mid-cycle replace for the 2027 mannequin yr. Exterior-wise, the automobile will get a brand new grille with built-in stars, new headlights and tailights with the star branding included—and that’s about it. The main points really feel like a bit a lot for an S-Class; a automobile that has lengthy prided itself on being the reserved possibility now goals to emulate the 7 Series, and it’s “have a look at me” model of purchaser. 

​That mentioned, the up to date S-Class, no less than visually, isn’t an affront to god. It may very well be rather less “in your face,” however in an age of untamed redesigns and over-the-top parts, the S-Class is a minor offender. Plus, in Patagonia Purple, it helps give the automobile an unbelievable presence.

​Inside is the place, and I’ll concede, the S-Class has some low factors. Earlier than we get to the screens, let’s speak about supplies. There are some actually, actually iffy decisions occurring within the cabin that made me cease and query what automobile I used to be even in. 

For instance, the round air vents on the dashboard are plastic. This isn’t acceptable. The Piano Black lacquer additionally feels much less premium than among the different wooden choices, one thing that’s extra of a common Mercedes drawback, nevertheless it nonetheless exists right here.

Picture by: Zander Sutton | Motor1

​The up to date S-Class comes with the Mercedes Superscreen, which, regardless of being an up to date model of the years-old Hyperscreen, nonetheless has points. The brand new driver and passenger setup is usually pointless, provided that it would not do a lot in another way than the smartphone in your hand. It solely is sensible if it’s worthwhile to take a Groups assembly or take a photograph with the in-car digicam—which, why would you?

The opposite problem with the Superscreen is its bezels. There may be loads of piano black between the middle and passenger screens. This has been a difficulty for the reason that OG Hyperscreen that debuted within the EQS. On condition that the brand new GLC has one massive display screen that spans your complete sprint (one thing we additionally don’t love), we will no less than respect it for being one massive singular display screen, as an alternative of getting big gaps that turn out to be very noticeable below direct daylight, or when the screens are, you understand, on.

Photographs by: Zander Sutton | Motor1

Photographs by: Zander Sutton | Motor1

​Regardless of among the iffy supplies, although, the cabin of the S-Class is nicely put collectively, particularly within the rear. The second row is well the spotlight right here. We drove fashions with and with no four-seat setup, and whereas having the divider between the 2 rear seats is nice, you don’t sacrifice a lot consolation with out the fastened armrests.

​For those who do select this setup, each passengers will obtain heated and ventilated rear seats with therapeutic massage capabilities, in addition to the flexibility to roll any window on the automobile up or down, which we assume wouldn’t be abused in any respect. The rear passenger display screen setup consists of two iPad-style screens on the again of the entrance seats, and whereas it isn’t as massive and grand because the Theatre Display screen on the BMW i7, the benefit right here is that every passenger will get their very own display screen to do no matter they so please, like play Indignant Birds.

Picture by: Zander Sutton | Motor1

​The up to date S-Class vary consists of three fashions for the US market. There may be the six-cylinder S500, the six-cylinder plug-in hybrid S580e, and the V8 S580. Europe and different markets get a diesel-powered S450d, which we additionally drove simply to see what we’re lacking out on. Spoiler: they haul. 

The V8 engine for the up to date S-Class is an all-new powertrain for the automobile, with a flat-plane V8 changing the earlier setup. This implies 530 horsepower and 553 torque for the S580, with an electronically restricted prime velocity of 155 miles per hour—or nearer to 158 from our testing on the Autobahn. The six-cylinder fashions stay largely unchanged, with every of their powertrains placing out the identical numbers because the pre-facelift.

​Now, the factor that issues probably the most in regards to the S-Class, possibly much more so than the supplies, is the way it drives. Not “the way it drives” in the identical method we’d consider a Porsche 911—though it does carry its weight nicely—however in a extra “how simple is it to really feel such as you’re in your personal world” method. And, we’re delighted to say, if you happen to go by that metric, the S-Class hasn’t misplaced its attraction.

​The journey, in all trims and drive modes, is classy. Granted, German roads are very clean, however even in building zones, on Belgian cobble, and over one curb (whoops), you’d be hard-pressed to seek out this automobile uncomfortable. You’re feeling disconnected from the highway in a great way, and the convenience with which you’ll drive the S-Class actually places its dynamics excessive. V-Max on the Autobahn feels planted, safe, and by no means such as you’re about to fly uncontrolled.

Photographs by: Zander Sutton | Motor1

Photographs by: Zander Sutton | Motor1

​If we had been to knock something, it must be the brakes. There may be loads of play whenever you faucet them calmly, and we regularly discovered ourselves having to press tougher than we’d wish to get to a cease, which led to some jerky stop-and-go moments.

​Regardless of the S-Class being the scale of a small city, due to the 10-degree rear-wheel steering, you’ll be able to simply pull U-turns in locations that you just wouldn’t be capable to in smaller automobiles. In truth, although the S-Class does really feel its measurement on tight metropolis streets, the automobile does an excellent job of hiding its measurement whenever you’re driving aggressively. It has an E-Class spirit whenever you attempt to throw it round again roads, and due to the 4Matic all-wheel drive, you will not lose the rear finish, regardless of our makes an attempt.

​As a result of the S-Class is Mercedes’ technical showcase for your complete vary, the up to date mannequin has its fair proportion of stuff on it that, as a result of it is 2026, is all centered round autonomy. Degree 2 autonomous driving is on the market on this automobile, and Mercedes touts the system’s functionality inside cities as its spotlight.

For instance, if you find yourself ready the place it’s a must to reverse maneuver round a ton of objects, the automobile information your driving for the final couple of hundred meters and may recreate these actions in reverse. Spooky.

​The system can be fairly strong whereas freeway driving. We did have some points getting the automated lane-changing to interact, however aside from that, the automobile was capable of sustain with site visitors, decelerate for highway building, and even adapt to the unrestricted sections of the Autobahn, to a level.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Verdict

Picture by: Zander Sutton | Motor1

​The up to date S-Class is not at all one of the best S-Class ever. In truth, after our time with the automobile, we had the possibility to drive the V12, W140, and we got here again from our drive fairly assured that 1991 was peak S-Class. 

However, regardless of the abundance of stars and the objectionable display screen setup, the S-Class continues to be a kind of automobiles that feels proper. the journey will probably be elegant, you understand the facility will all the time be there if you happen to want it, and you understand that if you find yourself on the again, you gained’t need to go away.

​So, apologies, Twitter and Reddit, the up to date S-Class continues to be an S-Class.