2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class exterior styling did not deviate significantly from its predecessor, but subtle improvements made a big difference. With a drag coefficient of 0.22, it generated less drag than even a Toyota Prius. The new S-Class was also 1.3 inches longer than its predecessor, featured a 2-inch longer wheelbase, and was slightly taller and wider. The overall size of the vehicle made the biggest impression, and classic Mercedes touches like the hood ornament and grille added a dash of ostentation.

The 2021 S-Class came standard with 19-inch wheels with options to upgrade to 20-inch or 21-inch wheels. The test car’s 20-inch wheels fit beautifully within the wheel wells, making an upgrade to 21-inch wheels seem unnecessary.

Inside, the design seemed focused around the infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. Mercedes decluttered the cabin by eliminating the rotary controller and replacing round air vents with smaller, rectangular ones. The result was a minimalist interior, at least by Mercedes standards. Ambient lighting was taken to another level with around 250 LED elements compared to 40 previously, offering 64 colors linked to the infotainment and driver-assist functions.

Materials inside were what you'd expect from a six-figure luxury car, featuring Nappa leather upholstery, open-pore wood trim, aluminum inlays, and high-quality speaker grilles for the Burmester audio system. A two-panel glass roof ensured plenty of natural light for first- and second-row occupants. However, the piano-black trim disappointed as it smudged easily, reflected sunlight, and seemed below the luxury standard.

Fast forward to 2022, the S-Class largely retained its fantastic look from the previous year’s complete makeover. Observers who thought the sedan was a dying breed might rethink when seeing the S-Class up close. This model continued as Mercedes-Benz’s flagship, with its history tracing back to the 1954 Ponton and the 1972 first official S-Class model.

The exterior of the 2022 S-Class was sleek with an extended, low profile wiping away memories of boxy designs. The distance between the front axle and dashboard contributed to an elegant look. Even if you hid the grille and badges, it could easily slip into the Audi lineup. Yet the S-Class wore its Mercedes-Benz grille and star hood ornament with pride.

Inside, the dashboard was a delight, with a waterfall of open-pore wood trim setting off the 12.8-inch touchscreen in the center stack. A separate 12.3-inch digital instrument panel behind the steering wheel allowed the displays to occupy different planes—befitting their distinct functions. The cabin was richly dressed in high-quality materials, meticulously fitted and assembled.

The base 2021 Mercedes-Benz S500 4Matic was powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine, producing 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The S580 4Matic came with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, producing 496 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission. EQ Boost, a mild-hybrid system added an extra 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque for short bursts.

Mercedes quoted zero to 60 mph times of 4.8 seconds for the S500 and 4.4 seconds for the S580, with top speeds electronically limited to 130 mph. These figures were impressive for a big sedan, although some competitors were slightly quicker. Standard air suspension and optional E-Active Body Control suspension, along with the debut of rear-wheel steering, enhanced driving dynamics. The S580 was fast and comfortable, but had noticeable wind noise at highway speeds. Its Sport and Sport+ driving modes kept body roll in check without compromising comfort, and the steering was precise and well-tuned.

In 2022, the S-Class maintained its excellent performance characteristics. The S500 used a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine paired with EQ Boost. This system contributed an additional 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, supplementing the engine’s 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The S580 continued with its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, benefitting from the same EQ Boost system.

Both the S500 and S580 had nine-speed automatic transmissions with paddle shifters and standard 4Matic AWD. Weighing in at 4,740 pounds (S500) and 4,775 pounds (S580), both were quick off the line. The S500 reached 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and the S580 in 4.4 seconds. Handling was flat and predictable, and braking was powerful and immediate.

The S500 could deliver up to 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/24 mpg combined, while the S580 was rated at 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway/19 mpg combined, featuring a 22.2-gallon fuel tank for fewer stops.

The 2021 S-Class offered more front and rear headroom and more rear legroom than its predecessor, although it had less front legroom compared to competitors. Segment-leading shoulder room added to the spacious feel. Cargo space increased to 12.9 cubic feet, up by 0.7 cubic feet from the previous generation, though it remained less than that of other big luxury sedans.

Front seats featured 19 motors for adjustment, with heating, ventilation, and massage functions—including 10 programmable modes. The head restraints had tiny pillows for extra comfort. The front seats were very comfortable although Mercedes’ automated side bolsters took some getting used to. Storage space had been liberated by the removal of many analog controls, leading to a large center console bin and covered storage with a wireless phone charger and cupholders. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed a spacious console with their own cupholders and some climate controls. The optional Executive Line package offered power-adjustable rear seats and other chauffeur-friendly features.

For 2022, the S-Class retained its executive comfort and spaciousness with a serene cabin. Second-row passengers had powered sun blinds and a Panorama Sunroof opening the cabin to natural light. The trunk had 13.8 cubic feet of cargo space, lushly carpeted for travel necessities. The cabin included six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply in the second row.

Front seats came with standard heating, ventilation, massage, four-position memory, lumbar support, and comfort headrests. The Luxury Line offered additional heating features and the “Energizing Comfort” system. The Executive Line (exclusive to the S580) catered to chauffeur-driven passengers with upgraded rear seats, restraint protection, and a high-end rear-seat entertainment system.

One unexpected issue was that the wide-opening doors made it difficult for even tall occupants to reach and close them. However, the soft-close feature mitigated potential frustration.

The 2021 S-Class was equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with six USB ports. An optional 30-speaker Burmester audio system and rear-seat infotainment with dual 11.6-inch touchscreens were available.

The updated MBUX infotainment system was more reliant on the touchscreen, and computing power had been increased by 50%. Functions like climate control and seat massagers were easily accessible on the new setup, bolstered by hard buttons for vital functions like audio volume and drive modes. The voice-control system worked well, and an augmented-reality head-up display helped with navigation, though it could be overwhelming with other information. Some tech features, like the small steering-wheel touchpads, were less impressive.

In 2022, the S-Class enhanced its tech game further. The centerpiece was a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen, a significant upgrade over LED and LCD screens, offering rich black levels and lower energy consumption. The 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel also delivered crisp, customizable displays. Optional 3D instrument clusters added depth and interest, while the standard augmented video for navigation provided clearer directions and the augmented reality HUD was a cutting-edge driver aid.

The audio experience was elevated with the standard Burmester 3D Surround sound system and the optional Burmester 4D Surround system added headrest speakers. Powertrain and chassis technologies like EQ Boost and rear-axle steering rounded out the technological advancements.

The 2021 S-Class did not yet have crash-test ratings from NHTSA or IIHS. However, it was equipped with a wealth of safety features, including the industry’s first rear-passenger airbag. Standard driver-assist features included adaptive cruise control, automated lane centering, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a driver-attention monitor.

These features performed well, with improvements in traffic-sign recognition and lane-keep assist. Mercedes’ adaptive cruise control and lane-centering outperformed many competitors, managing highway curves effectively and reacting smoothly to changes in traffic.

For 2022, Mercedes-Benz continued to prioritize safety. Notable features included Magic Vision Control for optimized windshield cleaning and a multitude of driver assistance features such as active distance assist, active steering assist, brake assist with cross-traffic function, speed limit assist, and more. Pre-Safe Plus and Pre-Safe Impulse Side systems prepared the vehicle for imminent collisions.

Additionally, the S-Class included car-to-x communication, enhancing overall safety by sharing road condition warnings with other vehicles. Rear-passenger airbags, rear-seat belt bag, and enhanced restraint protection catered to the executive segment.