Used 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class for SaleNationwide

Compare 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Trims

The S-Class offers a blend of luxury and performance, with the S 580 Sedan 4MATIC as the most accessible option in the lineup.

• Starting at $57,543
• Best MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 25 hwy
• Most Popular: S 580 Sedan 4MATIC

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

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Trim Deep Dives

S 580 Sedan 4MATIC — "Who It's For"

The S 580 Sedan 4MATIC is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features without the high price of the Maybach. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $57,543 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 163 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View S 580 Sedan 4MATIC listings

Maybach S 580 Sedan 4MATIC — "Who It's For"

The Maybach S 580 Sedan 4MATIC is the pick for shoppers who want the ultimate luxury experience without compromising on performance. It's a premium choice for those seeking exclusivity.

• Avg. market price: $121,426 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 10 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Maybach S 580 Sedan 4MATIC listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — S 580 Sedan 4MATIC

With 163 active listings, the S 580 Sedan 4MATIC is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse S 580 Sedan 4MATIC listings

Best Budget Option — S 580 Sedan 4MATIC

At $57,543 avg market price — below the lineup median of $89,484 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse S 580 Sedan 4MATIC listings

Best for Fuel Economy — S 580 Sedan 4MATIC

The S 580 Sedan 4MATIC leads the lineup with 17/25 MPG/MPGe.

Browse S 580 Sedan 4MATIC listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cost?

Prices have softened 10.87% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 746 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class a good car?

Generally — the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class earns a 4/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Performance and Technology.

Owners consistently praise its luxurious feel, advanced technology, and remarkable performance. They also highlight the thrilling acceleration and enjoyable handling, which line up with the car’s flagship mission. The main trade-off is its high price, and some owners note issues with the run-flat tires.

For you, that means the S-Class makes the most sense if you want a top-tier luxury sedan that emphasizes comfort, tech, and strong power over value. With 31.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?

Owners rate it 4/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owner feedback points to a car that feels luxurious, advanced, and enjoyable to live with, while also suggesting it can deliver a trouble-free ownership experience when maintained properly. The expert review also emphasizes the S-Class’s strong engineering and its role as a technological showcase, which supports the idea that it’s built to be a serious long-term flagship. Mercedes also backs it with a four-year, 50,000-mile basic warranty and a four-year, 50,000-mile powertrain warranty.

For used buyers, the biggest long-term risk is complexity: if the car hasn’t been maintained carefully, repairs can become expensive quickly.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 82% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on every candidate, even if the listing looks clean. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially on a car with advanced electronics, suspension hardware, and luxury features that can be costly to sort out later. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and whether the car’s technology and comfort features work as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S-Class comes standard with 19-inch wheels, while 20-inch and 21-inch wheels are optional. The cabin is minimalist and tech-forward, with Nappa leather upholstery, open-pore wood trim, and available Burmester audio, but the piano-black trim can show wear and smudging quickly.
• Powertrain: The S500 4Matic uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, while the S580 4Matic uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 496 hp and 516 lb-ft. Both use a nine-speed automatic and EQ Boost mild-hybrid assistance.
• Safety package: Standard driver-assist features include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, automated lane centering, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, traffic-sign recognition, a driver-attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system.
• Infotainment: The standard setup includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Mercedes also includes six USB ports and supports augmented-reality navigation guidance.
• Fuel efficiency: Mercedes says the mild-hybrid system adds efficiency, and the reviewer averaged 22.4 mpg over about 300 miles of driving.

Which 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class trim should I buy?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is offered in 2 trim levels: S500 4Matic and S580 4Matic.

Here's the short version:

• S500 4Matic: This is the better-value choice if you want the S-Class experience with the lower entry price. You still get the 3.0-liter inline-six, EQ Boost, all-wheel drive, and the same core luxury and tech features that define the car.
• S580 4Matic: Choose this if you want the stronger V8 and the most effortless performance. It adds more power and quicker acceleration, but it also pushes the price higher, so it makes the most sense if performance matters more than value.

The standard safety package is broad, and Mercedes’ driver-assist systems are among the car’s strengths.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it pays to compare listings carefully and move quickly on the right car.

• Deal availability: 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 746 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.87% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 82.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $57,558, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class's resale value?

The current average of $57,558 sits slightly below last year's $64,575.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. For a future seller, it also means you should expect depreciation to remain a meaningful factor, especially given the car’s high original price and luxury-car ownership costs. Well-kept examples with strong equipment and clean history should still attract interest from shoppers who want flagship luxury without paying new-car money.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class safe?

The S-Class does get a plethora of safety features, including an industry-first rear-passenger airbag.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard driver-assistance features include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, automated lane centering, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, traffic-sign recognition, a driver-attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. Mercedes also says the lane-keep assist can read road edges, and the traffic-sign recognition system can detect stop signs and red lights.

The main caveat is that crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS aren’t available for this model year.

Should I buy a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 82% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.87% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The redesign brings a more sophisticated infotainment system, new powertrains, and more aerodynamic bodywork.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $61,837, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $57,558 average.
• It adds a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup with updated powertrain details and stronger EPA estimates.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the better starting point if you want the redesigned S-Class at a lower used price and with strong market availability. If you’re willing to spend more for the next model year’s updated powertrain details and efficiency gains, the 2022 is the cleaner upgrade path.

How does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class compare to the 2021 BMW 7 Series?

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.