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

Prices have softened 9.19% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 712 listings available, which gives you a meaningful amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $60,603.39, 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 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. Many also highlight the thrilling acceleration and enjoyable handling, which fits the car’s role as a flagship luxury sedan. The main trade-off is that the run-flat tires drew some criticism, so not every ownership detail feels equally polished.

For you, that means the S-Class makes the most sense if you want a high-end sedan that leans hard into comfort, speed, and cutting-edge features. The market also shows 32.4% good or great deals, which suggests there are still some attractive opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a car that feels luxurious, advanced, and impressive enough that many buyers see it as a dependable long-term choice. The expert review also emphasizes that Mercedes built this S-Class as a showcase for engineering and technology, which supports the impression that it was designed to be a serious flagship rather than a throwaway luxury car. Mercedes also backs it with a four-year, 50,000-mile basic warranty and a four-year, 50,000-mile powertrain warranty.

That said, the car’s complexity means used buyers should be especially attentive to maintenance history and overall condition, because expensive systems can become costly if they were neglected.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any car you’re considering, even if the listing looks clean. A pre-purchase inspection matters here because this is a complex luxury sedan with a lot of technology and comfort equipment. Focus on how well the interior, electronics, and ride quality have held up, since those are the areas where a flagship like this can show wear.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base car includes 19-inch wheels, while 20-inch and 21-inch wheels are optional. The interior is minimalist and centered around the touchscreen and digital cluster, 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-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. Mercedes also includes an industry-first rear-passenger airbag.
• 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 updates through its updated MBUX setup, and rear-seat tech can add 11.6-inch touchscreens and a 7-inch tablet.
• Fuel efficiency: The trip computer averaged 22.4 mpg over about 300 miles of driving. Mercedes notes that the mild-hybrid setup offers less electrification than some rivals’ hybrid systems, so fuel savings are not the S-Class’s main strength.

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

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

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The S500 4Matic gives you the six-cylinder engine, standard all-wheel drive, and the core luxury and tech experience, but you’ll still be looking at a very expensive sedan with many optional extras.
• Premium/top trim: The S580 4Matic adds the V8, stronger acceleration, and the most effortless performance in the lineup, making it the better pick if you want the flagship feel and can justify the higher price.

The safety package is strong across the lineup, with Mercedes’ full suite of standard driver-assist features included.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can be selective without expecting deep bargain-bin pricing.

• Deal availability: 32.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 712 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.19% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $60,603.39, 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 $60,793 sits slightly below last year's $66,947.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer today but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you buy at a strong price and keep the car well maintained, you can reduce the impact of that depreciation. The S-Class still benefits from strong brand appeal and flagship status, which helps support demand among luxury shoppers.

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 a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

The S-Class comes with a broad standard safety 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. Mercedes also adds an industry-first rear-passenger airbag, which is a notable safety feature for a luxury sedan with chauffeur-friendly ambitions.

The expert review says the system performs better than many rivals, especially the lane-centering and adaptive cruise functions. The main caveat is that crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS aren’t available for this model year, so you’ll be relying more on the standard equipment list and real-world system performance than on published test results.

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:

• 32.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.19% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It brings a redesigned cabin, updated infotainment, and new powertrains to the flagship S-Class.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $63,409, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $60,793 average.
• It adds updated EPA-rated fuel economy and keeps the same core luxury flagship formula.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter path because it combines a lower average price with strong equipment and broad appeal. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model-year alternative, the 2022 is the cleaner comparison, but the 2021 already delivers the core S-Class experience at a more favorable price.

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