2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Overview

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-class is as much a personal limo for the ultra-wealthy as it is a rolling showcase of the company's latest tech. Not only does Mercedes' iconic sedan have an interior that's lined with the finest materials, but it also features huge OLED screens on the dashboard as well as a 3D-capable display and navigation with augmented reality. Along with standard all-wheel drive, the S-class's effortless acceleration comes from a 429-hp straight-six (S500) or a 496-hp V-8 (S580). Driving either model isn't about excitement, it's about isolation and relaxation, which is why the best seats are in the back. Still, this huge barge is surprisingly nimble around curves and in traffic, especially with the optional rear-axle steering. Regardless of the occasion, the 2022 S-class rises to it, which is why we named it to our Editors' Choice list.

What's New for 2022?

The 2022 S-class lineup receives a handful of new additions. Most notably, the company's E-Active Body Control is now available. This fully active suspension system automatically adjusts damping and level control for each individual wheel to maximize ride quality and vehicle stability. Also newly available is the MBUX Interior Assist, which essentially recognizes gestures as well as hand movements towards the touchscreen or touchpad and highlights or activates the desired content. The system can also tell the difference between the driver and front-seat passenger and store individual preferences. The S-class comes in new colors, too: Nautical Blue metallic, Kalahari Gold, Manufaktur Cashmere White Mango, and Manufaktur Selenite Grey Mango. The center console is now offered in metallic black and silver or with black dotted lines.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Although its starting price is significantly higher than the 2020 model, the new S-class boasts a host of modernizations and improvements to justify it's six-figure price tag. We think the ultimate luxury item is a powerful engine, so we'd pay extra to have the 496-hp V-8 and the more prestigious S580 trunklid badge.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Mercedes offers the sedan with either a 429-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine on the S500 or a 496-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 on the S580. Both powertrains are supplemented by a 48-volt hybrid system (called EQ Boost) and pair with a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive. There will also be a plug-in-hybrid model that's said to have about 60 miles of all-electric range. We've sampled the gas-powered sedan in its native Germany and on our shores, which showcased its different suspension and steering modes. While every model rides on an air suspension, the E-Active Body Control has a "curve" function" that subtly leans the car into corners. The S-class can also be equipped with an all-wheel steering system that makes the big-bodied Merc surprisingly easy to maneuver in tight spaces.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The six-cylinder S500 is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Stepping up to the V-8-powered S580 drops those estimates to 16 mpg city and 25 highway. We've tested the latter on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, where it returned an impressive 32 mpg on the highway. For more information about the S-class's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the S-class prioritizes screens. Lots of them. The sedan is available with up to five, including a giant center touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. The latter works in concert with other technology to create a three-dimensional effect, but—thankfully—it can be turned off if you'd prefer the screens have a conventional appearance. There's also an enhanced head-up display that will show navigation directions in augmented reality. Basically, arrows move and turn in real-time to supposedly better assist the driver. The build quality and cabin materials live up to Mercedes' upscale standards, and the sedan provides limousine-like accommodations for all passengers, specifically those riding in the back. The new model's rear-seat area offers slightly increased headroom and legroom, and it can also be equipped with power-adjustable reclining seats that have massage functions and extensive heating elements. Along with being physically coddled, those in the back should be mentally entertained by the optional rear-seat entertainment system that adds two 11.6-inch screens on the front seatbacks as well as the interactive LED interior lighting.

Infotainment and Connectivity

A cutting-edge infotainment system has become a hallmark of modern luxury cars, and Mercedes makes good on that with its latest and greatest interface. The sedan's center stack is dominated by a huge 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen that sits portrait-style, but it doesn't come with any sort of touchpad or rotary controller. What it does come with is an enhanced version of Mercedes' MBUX software that features improved voice-command functions and smartphone-esque capability, including facial recognition and fingerprint scanning. Of course, popular staples such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless charging are standard. The S-class sedan also has a standard Burmester 3D sound system, but a more powerful Burmester 4D stereo is available, too.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Every four-door S-class comes with an array of standard driver-assistance technology, including the ability to park itself and even take preventative measures to protect passengers when it detects an imminent collision. The sedan is also available with innovative features that include rear-seat airbags and an active suspension that will lift the car up to reduce the severity of damage during a collision. For more information about the S-class's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Mercedes has surprisingly mediocre warranty coverage compared with the protection that's offered by some other luxury brands. For example, Genesis offers a significantly longer limited and powertrain warranty. BMW and Jaguar also have some of the best complimentary maintenance in the biz.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

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