Used 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class for Sale nearDurham, NC

Compare 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Trims in Durham, NC

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

• Starting at $51,676
• 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 and performance without the high price of the Maybach. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $51,676 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 30 listings
• View S 580 Sedan 4MATIC listings

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

The Maybach S 580 Sedan 4MATIC is the choice for shoppers seeking the ultimate in luxury and exclusivity, though it comes at a premium price.

• Avg. market price: $51,676 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 24 hwy
• Inventory: 6 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Maybach S 580 Sedan 4MATIC listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — S 580 Sedan 4MATIC

With 30 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 $51,676 avg market price — below the lineup median of $51,676 — 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 its fuel efficiency of 17/25 MPG.

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 10.85% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 736 listings available, which gives you a meaningful 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 strong performance. The review summary also points to thrilling acceleration and enjoyable handling, which fits the car’s flagship mission.

The main trade-off is price, and the expert review also notes that some competitors are slightly quicker. In practical terms, this is the kind of sedan that makes the most sense if you want a high-end luxury experience and are willing to pay for it.

Good and great deals account for 33.0% of listings, so there is 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.

The owner summary also points to a car that feels dependable and trouble-free enough to impress buyers who want a long-term luxury sedan. On the expert side, the mild-hybrid setup is described as adding electric assist and supporting greater efficiency, which reinforces the sense of a modern, well-integrated powertrain.

Mercedes also backs the car with a four-year, 50,000-mile basic warranty and a four-year, 50,000-mile powertrain warranty. Even so, the car’s complexity means long-term ownership risk can rise if maintenance is neglected.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 82.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper records review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on electronics, suspension behavior, and any signs of expensive wear. Given the car’s complexity and luxury equipment, condition matters more than mileage alone.

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 centers on the infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, and the interior uses Nappa leather upholstery, open-pore wood trim, and available Burmester audio, but piano-black trim can smudge easily and reflect sunlight.
• 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 of torque. Both use a nine-speed automatic and EQ Boost mild-hybrid assistance.
• Safety package: Standard driver-assistance 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, six USB ports, and an updated MBUX system. Augmented-reality head-up display is also available.
• Fuel efficiency: Mercedes does not provide EPA fuel-economy ratings here, but the trip computer showed 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 at the lower entry price. It still gives you the six-cylinder engine, EQ Boost mild-hybrid assistance, all-wheel drive, and the same core luxury and technology foundation as the more expensive version.
• S580 4Matic: Choose this if you want the stronger V8 and the most effortless performance in the lineup. It adds more power and torque, and it suits you best if you care more about acceleration and flagship feel than keeping the purchase price down.

The safety package is strong across the lineup, with standard adaptive cruise control, lane centering, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system.

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

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

• Deal availability: 33.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 736 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.85% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 82.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $57,649, 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 $57,649 sits slightly below last year's $64,666.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy more confidently now. For a future seller, it also means your resale outcome will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment rather than just model-year prestige.

Because the S-Class is a high-end luxury sedan, well-kept examples should continue to attract shoppers who want a flagship badge and advanced features. 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 traffic-sign recognition can detect stop signs and red lights, while lane-keep assist can read road edges and lets you adjust sensitivity.

The expert review also notes that these systems performed better than most, especially the lane-centering and adaptive cruise control. Crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS are not available here.

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:

• 33.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 82.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.85% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The redesigned model brings a more sophisticated infotainment system, new powertrains, and more aerodynamic bodywork.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $61,862, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $57,649 average.
• It adds a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup with updated EPA-rated efficiency and the same two-engine lineup.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter buy because prices have already softened and the car still delivers flagship luxury, strong tech, and broad standard safety equipment. If you’re willing to spend more for the next model year’s updated efficiency details and slightly newer inventory, the 2022 is the cleaner alternative for shoppers who prioritize freshness over savings.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 20, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.