As the 3-pointed star's flagship ICE-powered product, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has always exuded sophistication and elegance, but how does this saloon fare in the world of electrification? We drove the latest generation to find out!
Historically touted as the product that showcases the very latest vehicle-related technologies, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is incredibly important for the German brand. When we were offered an opportunity to drive the latest W223 variant, we jumped at the chance to see what the current pinnacle of the Mercedes-Benz internal combustion engine-powered range has to offer!
Styling
The latest S-Class is unmistakably a Mercedes-Benz, and when looking at the product as a whole, we can see where the new C-Class and upcoming E-Class derive their design language inspiration from. The relatively short front and rear overhangs are emphasised by the elongated wheelbase, while the rest of the product is an exercise in design restraint, a shape devoid of the frills and fuss often added to modern products. The S-Class, to this writer’s eye at least, is suitably understated and exudes the sort of timeless design that will see it look good for the foreseeable future. While we are certain that this isn’t a design icon such as the W180 Ponton, it certainly screams S-Class, and that should be admired in this day and age.
Interior and space
The interior of any S-Class, particularly the rear quarters, is where the product truly shines, and the newcomer is no different. Whether you are driving or are seated at the rear, the S-Class feels special. Its sumptuously comfortable seats, fantastic ride quality and sound insulation make this the proverbial automotive isolation tank that buyers in this segment lust after. The rear occupants are treated to seats that recline, and footrests that mean lounging while browsing on the built-in Android tablet is entirely possible.
It’s not all positive though, as the same low-quality plastics that we have noted in several Mercedes-Benz products are still present, albeit less prominent amidst the wood and leather. The multifunction steering wheel also suffers the same issue as in other models by being more difficult to operate than is necessary thanks to the touch pads for various functions.
Infotainment is taken care of by a large 12.8-inch OLED central display with the latest MBUX OS which offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while there is also the option of a 12.3-inch 3D driver display which certainly looks good, but was something we found ourselves switching back to ‘regular’ 2D mode. The media system is complimented by a 31-speaker Burmester 4D surround sound system which includes speakers in each seat. There is also active ambient lighting, with fibre optics allowing for alternate colours to be used simultaneously, creating quite a show for occupants. Inside is a masterclass of digitized modern design blended with an almost anachronistic approach to in-car comfort.
Looking at the S-Class from a practical perspective, there’s a 500-litre boot, which can swallow three sets of golf clubs, and while there is seating for five occupants, we found that with four people on board, there is ample space for each occupant to have the sort luxurious experience that this product is designed to provide.
Performance and driving impression
The powertrain represents a bittersweet moment as the V8, which is synonymous with the S500, has been ditched in favour of the brand’s wonderful 3.0-litre straight-six. We say bittersweet because the V8 was so characterful, however, the six-cylinder mill is a joy to use. The silky six has mild electrical assistance from a 48-Volt system and is paired with a 9-speed automatic gearbox which sends power to all four wheels. Combined outputs are 336kW and 520Nm of torque in a product that weighs just over 2.0 tons. This allows the S500 to sprint to 100 km/h from a standstill in a claimed 4.9 seconds. In practice the latest S-Class is certainly no slouch, offering effortless acceleration and buttery smooth power delivery befitting of a luxury saloon car.
The powertrain in combination with a fantastic adaptive air suspension and heavily insulated cabin make the driving sensation spot on for an executive saloon car. Regardless of the prevailing tarmac beneath you, the S-Class disguises imperfections and irons-out bumps on the road surface while maintaining a surprising amount of control. The suspension combined with the well-weighted steering makes for a hefty car that shows a surprising amount of agility when pushing on, despite the long wheelbase. Overall, the S-Class delivers the goods in terms of its drive quality, with exactly the sort of luxurious, and semi-detached experience one might expect.
Safety
The S-Class features a host of semi-autonomous driver aids, and 7 airbags (9 or 11 as an option) as well as all of the electronic safety acronyms one might expect, however, it is yet to be officially crash tested, but if we take the exemplary performance that its younger sibling the C-Class put in, the S-Class is sure to be exceptionally safe.
Fuel consumption
Mercedes-Benz claims that the S500 will consume petrol at a rate of 8.1 L/100km, however, our week with the model yielded a figure of 12.7 L/100km, which is about what we would expect from a large, turbocharged petrol saloon.
Pricing
The S500 L, in AMG Line guise, was priced at R2 811 764 at the time of writing, making it similarly priced to the recently-introduced Audi S8 (R2 759 000), but noticeably more expensive than the new BMW 7 Series in 740i M Sport(R2 247 751) trim. An important caveat to this price is that the S-Class is only available in long-wheelbase guise locally, however, a glance at the dimensions of the model reveals that it is nearly identical in terms of size when compared with the BMW.
In the world of large luxury cars, the list price provided is often misleading as there are a host of optional extras available, and with the average luxury shopper wanting bespoke items, the list of options and the subsequent list price of any of these products can inflate dramatically in the pursuit of individuality. The S-Class comes as standard with a 5-year/100 000km maintenance plan along with a 2-year/ unlimited km vehicle warranty.
Verdict
A week spent with the W223 revealed how measured Mercedes-Benz is with its approach to products in 2023, with the S-Class managing to blend some of the very latest in-car technologies while managing to retain many of the attributes that have made the S-Class an icon of understated luxury. While its all-electric EQS sibling is more flamboyant about its approach to premium motoring, the S-Class remains refreshingly old school, offering those with a penchant for large, fossil fuel-powered saloon cars with a wonderfully comfortable, elegant and predictably well-engineered product.
Keyword: Mercedes-Benz S500 L 4Matic AMG Line (2023) Review