For more than 50 years, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has set the standard for large, luxury-oriented four-passenger cars worldwide, and throughout its history, the S-Class has represented the epitome of automotive luxury, innovation, and high performance. Even its nomenclature points to its exclusiveness: The "S" in S-Class stands for Sonderklasse, a German word meaning Special Class. Although this is actually a reference to the fact that S-Class cars require premium fuel, many drivers would agree that these vehicles are a cut above.

Early S-Class luxury cars included the Type 220S, produced from the mid-1950s to 1960. The first Mercedes to carry the S designation and the first to receive a fuel-injected six-cylinder engine, it was available as both a coupe and a cabriolet, and it represented a major step forward in design for Mercedes. The brand has offered the car in various body styles through the years, including an S-Class Coupe.

As time went by, Mercedes continued to equip its S-Class cars with a number of innovations. In addition to fuel injection, S-Class cars were the first in the automaker's lineup to come with airbags, antilock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, a navigational system, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors, among other cutting-edge features.

For many years, especially during the 1970s and '80s, S-Class cars were available in several different trim levels, including SE (standard wheelbase), SEL (long wheelbase), and SEC (coupe) trims, as well as with diesel engines (SD and SDL trims). Starting with the 1994 model year, however, Mercedes revamped and simplified its naming system to more accurately reflect engine size and minimize confusion.

Mercedes is on its way to electrification, and the automaker has already released the EQS electric vehicle (EV), which takes the S-Class Sedan’s attitude and applies it to electric vehicles. Mercedes will eventually add electric alternatives for other models in its catalog, including the C-Class, G-Class, GLB, and GLC SUVs.

Generations: Eight

• Mercedes-Benz S-Class 1st Generation
• Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2nd Generation
• Mercedes-Benz S-Class 3rd Generation
• Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4th Generation
• Mercedes-Benz S-Class 5th Generation
• Mercedes-Benz S-Class 6th Generation
• Mercedes-Benz S-Class 7th Generation
• Mercedes-Benz S-Class 8th Generation

Pros: Advanced technology, opulent interiors, powerful engines, sharp style
Cons: Crazy MSRP, not the most fuel-efficient, large and hard to maneuver

2020-Present Mercedes-Benz S-Class 223 Series

The new S-Class is a legitimate marvel of technology and engineering, and it’s one of the best cars in its class. Mercedes gave the car the second generation of its MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment interface. Buyers can opt for up to five screens on board, and Mercedes says there’s a new 3D driver display system that uses eye tracking to create the illusion of depth.

Mercedes currently sells two versions of its flagship sedan: The S 500 4Matic and the S 580 4Matic variants both come standard with all-wheel drive. The S 500 gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to produce 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. That powertrain is good for a zero-to-60-mph time of 4.9 seconds. The range-topping S 580 comes with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with mild hybrid drive that produces 496 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Those massive specs produce a zero-to-60 time of just 4.4 seconds.

The S-Class has always been Mercedes’ platform to debut and sell new technologies, besting the previous generation’s engineering. The latest versions of the car continue to embody that attitude. Rear-axle steering improves the car’s turning radius with up to ten degrees of motion. A new rear airbag system provides airbags in front of the rear passengers for the first time, and the car features a boatload of advanced safety and driver-assist systems.

The current S-Class competes with a who’s-who of new cars, including the BMW 7 Series, the Audi A8, the Genesis G90, the Lexus LX, and the Porsche Panamera. New Mercedes-Benz S-Class models represent the pinnacle of luxury for the brand and come with features such as LED ambient lighting, a large touchscreen infotainment system, a head-up display, a Burmester sound system, and massaging front seats. There’s also a Mercedes-Maybach S-Class car with even more performance, luxury, and tech. Its exterior is bling all the way, with chrome adorning the grille and other parts of the body.

2013-2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 222 Series

After entering production in mid-2013, the 222 Series S-Class hit the streets for the 2014 model year. The redesign brought a new aluminum hybrid body shell that significantly cut weight and improved rigidity. Mercedes says the car was the first in the world to exclusively feature LEDs over traditional bulbs, with 500 light units throughout the interior and exterior of the car. The S-Class also got adaptive “Magic Body Suspension” that worked with an advance road scanning system to detect potholes and imperfections in advance.

The 222 Series S-Class got a twin-turbocharged V8 engine that made 455 horsepower. The top S600 got a twin-turbocharged V12 engine, and Mercedes released other powertrains in global markets.

The new generation brought now-common features to the S-Class interior for the first time. A new energizing massage function added simulated hot-stone massages and active seat climate controls. Mercedes upgraded the system in 2017 with more vehicle functions and the ability to create individual profiles.

2005-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 221 Series

The early aughts brought a new, more aerodynamic S-Class. Mercedes said the car had a drag coefficient of just 0.26, not far behind its current slipperiest car, the EQE 350+. The car got updated safety tech, as the Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control system gained the ability to brake to a standstill. Later model years added partial automatic emergency braking in 2006 and full autonomous emergency braking in 2009. A new active night view assist system became optional, as did lane-keeping assist.

In North America, Mercedes sold the 221 Series in S400 Hybrid, S350 BlueTEC 4Matic, S550, S600, S63, and S65. The S63 and S65 were AMG models, featuring either a hand-built V8 or hand-built V12 engine. Though built as a full-size executive luxury sedan, even the “standard” S500 could run zero to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds.

1998-2005 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 220 Series

The 220 Series S-Class got a new form with a slick shape and was the first in the line to get an AMG model. Mercedes notes a drag coefficient of 0.27 for the car and offered cylinder deactivation tech in the thirstiest S600 model to improve overall fuel economy.

This S-Class is the generation that started looking and feeling like the modern cars we see today, especially in the safety features and technology departments. Adaptive “Distronic” cruise control became an option for the S-Class with this generation, offering the earliest automatic distance sensing on the market. Mercedes also offered a keyless-go system and an early pre-collision system starting in 2002.

Mercedes has made a variety of trims and engines available for the car through the years, but the big news with the 220 Series is the introduction of AMG-tuned models for the first time. The S55 came with a 360-horsepower V8 and gained a supercharger in 2002 for 500 horsepower. In 2003, the S65 AMG debuted with a turbocharged V12 making 612 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. An electronic automatic transmission became standard in 2004.

1991-1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 140 Series

Stepping back in time, the 140 Series S-Class started Mercedes’ obsession with aerodynamics, as the car had a drag coefficient of 0.13—amazing for a sedan at the time. This generation also carried a different naming convention than later models, with the “S” designation coming after the model number rather than before it.

Mercedes sold a boatload of trim levels for the car, ranging from the S280 to the range-topping 600 SEL model. The 600 SE and 600 SEL became the brand’s first production car with a twelve-cylinder engine and its most powerful car to date. Mercedes installed double-glazed side windows to block noise and offered power closing features for the doors and trunk.

Starting in 1995, Mercedes offered an advanced electronic stability program (ESP) that could brake individual wheels to help maintain control during a skid. The system added a brake-assist function in 1996 that brought shorter stopping distances for the car. Other forward-looking features included an electronic parking-assist system, a navigation system, and voice controls.

1979-1992 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 126 Series

The 126 Series S-Class spanned an astonishing 13 years on the market. The car entered production in 1979 and hit the market as a 1980 model, though it didn’t launch in the US until 1981. The car was the first to get a driver’s-side airbag in 1981 and featured advanced options such as heated seats. An electrically adjustable steering column debuted as an option in 1985, and Mercedes began offering a seatbelt tensioner system in 1981.

1972-1980 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 116 Series

The 116 Series was the first to sport “S-Class” branding from Mercedes. It featured a fuel tank over the rear axle, rather than behind it, for better safety in collisions, and it came with dirt-resistant rear lights and side windows. Cruise control became optional in 1975, and antilock brakes from 1978. The 116 was also the first production car with a turbocharged diesel engine.

1951-1972 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Early Models

Prior to 1972, the S-Class cars wore various model designations that included 250 S, 300 SEL, 220 SE, and others. The cars introduced numerous advances in automotive technology, including a six-cylinder engine with overhead camshaft in 1951, mechanically controlled fuel injection in 1958, a padded steering wheel in 1959, and hydropneumatic springs on the rear axle in 1965.