Used 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class for Sale near Illinois

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 $60,142
• 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: $60,142 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 165 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: $125,622 (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 165 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 $60,142 avg market price — below the lineup median of $92,882 — 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 offers the best fuel economy in the lineup with 17/25 MPG/MPGe.

Browse S 580 Sedan 4MATIC listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

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

Prices have softened 10.70% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 740 listings available, which suggests you have a workable amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $59,608.87, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

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

Generally — the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class earns 4/5 from owners and 7.5/10 from experts. The model scores 9/10 across Performance and Technology.

Owners consistently praise its luxurious feel, advanced technology, and strong performance, and many also call out the handling and acceleration as especially enjoyable. The main trade-off is that some owners mention issues with the run-flat tires.

For your use case, the S-Class is aimed at buyers who want a flagship luxury sedan that feels like a showcase for the brand’s latest thinking in comfort and tech. The expert review also notes that the car’s high price is the clearest drawback.

With 30.7% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have 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 and impressive over time, with the kind of advanced engineering and performance that buyers expect from a flagship sedan. The expert review also emphasizes Mercedes’ mild-hybrid setup and the brand’s focus on efficiency-minded electrical assist, which supports the sense that the car is engineered for modern use.

Mercedes includes a four-year, 50,000-mile basic warranty and a four-year, 50,000-mile powertrain warranty, which helps early ownership. Even so, the S-Class is complex enough that used buyers should pay close attention to maintenance history and overall condition.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace documentation. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially on a car with this much technology and complexity. Focus on condition details that matter most in a flagship luxury sedan, including electronics, tires, and signs of deferred maintenance.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S500 4Matic brings a six-cylinder engine, while the S580 4Matic adds a V8 and more power. The higher trim is the better fit if you want the strongest performance, but the base version already delivers the core S-Class experience.
• 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 EQ Boost mild-hybrid assistance and a nine-speed automatic transmission.
• 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. The rear-passenger airbag is also standard.
• 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. The system also supports over-the-air-style modern functionality through the updated MBUX interface, and six USB ports are included.
• Fuel efficiency: 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 without paying for the extra V8 power. It still gives you the 429-horsepower inline-six, EQ Boost mild-hybrid assistance, and the same core luxury and technology features, so it covers the essentials well.
• S580 4Matic: Choose this if you want the strongest performance in the lineup. Its V8 makes 496 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, so it suits you best if effortless acceleration matters more than saving money.

The safety package is strong across the lineup, with standard adaptive cruise control, lane centering, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and the rear-passenger airbag.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find opportunities.

• Deal availability: 30.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 740 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.70% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 81.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $59,608.87, 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 $59,567 sits slightly below last year's $66,706.

That price 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, that also means resale value may depend heavily on condition, mileage, and how well the car has been maintained.

Because this model still carries strong owner satisfaction and flagship appeal, well-kept examples should continue to attract interest. 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?

It earns 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Mercedes equips the S-Class with a broad standard driver-assistance suite that includes 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. The rear-passenger airbag is also standard, which is a notable flagship-level feature.

The expert review also says these systems work better than many rivals’ versions, especially the lane-centering and adaptive cruise control. The main caveat is that crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS aren’t available.

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:

• 30.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.70% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It serves as Mercedes’ redesigned technological showcase, with a more sophisticated infotainment system and new powertrains.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $63,355, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $59,567 average.
• It adds EPA-estimated fuel economy figures and a more clearly defined efficiency picture.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter starting point because prices have eased and inventory is still healthy. If you’re price-sensitive, the 2021 gives you the flagship experience at a lower average cost, while the 2022 makes sense only if you specifically want the newer-year updates and are willing to pay more.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.