The 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the grandfather of full-size luxury sedans. Which makes it sound old, but the S-Class is also full of technology while offering coupe, soft-top (cabriolet) and ultra-luxurious limousine versions. There are AMG variants with prodigious power as well. No competitor can match this vast array of choices.
Talking about age is relevant, though, since this current generation of S-Class (the sixth) is coming to a close. An all-new version is anticipated next year. That said, while the previous generation was approaching replacement, it still outsold all its rivals combined. Which is a good illustration of how much the S-Class dominates the flagship sedan scene.
Tradition and heritage play their parts, but the S-Class has much more to offer. There are so many features that it would take a book to cover them all. The seats don’t just offer a massage function, it’s a “hot stone” massage. Fragranced, ionized air wafts through the vents. There’s a suspension feature that makes speed humps virtually disappear.
As we approach the era of autonomous cars, the S-Class already has several functions. Adaptive cruise control, active steering, blind spot monitoring and collision prevention can all work together to help keep occupants, other road users and animals free from harm.
The S-Class is also a complete pleasure to drive and sit in. The ride is unruffled, the hand-crafted cabin is serene and the engines feel effortless.
What’s New for 2020?
Standard equipment now includes Active Parking Assist (automated parking for parallel spaces), keyless entry/ignition and gesture control for the trunk lid. Coupe and cabriolet models also receive multicontour front seats with massaging functions as standard. The S 560e plug-in hybrid sedan is due later in 2020, while the AMG S 65 versions of the coupe and cabriolet have been discontinued. See the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class models for sale near you
What We Like
- Tech features galore
- Amenities we never knew we needed
- Astonishing acceleration
- Confident handling
- Impeccable refinement
- Attention to the finest details
What We Don’t
- If there is anything, it’s too trivial to remember
How Much?
$95,245-$236,595
Fuel Economy
The S 450 has a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 making 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. This connects to a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Environmental Protection Agency puts fuel consumption for this rear-wheel-drive sedan at 19 miles per gallon in the city, 28 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in combined driving. All-wheel drive (called 4Matic) adjusts those figures to 18 mpg city/28 mpg hwy/22 mpg combined.
S 560 variants deploy a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 developing 463 hp and 516 lb-ft. A 9-speed automatic transmission is once again part of the equation. Consumption for the sedan is 17 mpg city/27 mpg hwy/21 mpg combined (RWD or AWD). Highway fuel consumption for the coupe and cabriolet is 26 mpg.
The new-for-2020 S 560e plug-in hybrid sedan deploys a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, which is augmented by an electric motor for a system output of 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. A 9-speed automatic transmission sends this energy to the rear wheels. At the time of compiling this review, there were no EPA consumption figures, nor any estimates of range using just battery power.
The AWD AMG S 63 powertrain features a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 generating 603 hp and 664 lb-ft. It uses a 9-speed automatic transmission and achieves 17 mpg city/26 mpg hwy/20 mpg combined in sedan form. The coupe’s highway figure is 27 mpg. The cabriolet version runs to 15 mpg city/24 mpg hwy/18 mpg combined.
The RWD-only AMG S 65 sedan rumbles with 621 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12, linked to a 7-speed automatic transmission. Fuel use is 13 mpg city/22 mpg hwy/16 mpg combined.
The Maybach S 560 4Matic sedan (with the same drivetrain as the regular S 560 but with AWD) returns 16 mpg city/25 mpg hwy/19 mpg combined. The RWD Maybach S 650 (with the same drivetrain as the S 65) achieves 13 mpg city/21 mpg hwy/16 mpg combined.
Standard Features & Options
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan is offered in S 450, S 560, S 560e, AMG S 63 and AMG S 65 trim levels. Where it’s optional, AWD is $3,000.
The coupe and cabriolet versions are available in the S 560 (AWD/4Matic in the coupe, RWD in the cabriolet) and the AMG S 63 forms.
The ultra-luxurious Mercedes-Maybach stretched sedans come as an S 560 4Matic or an S 650.
The S 450 sedan ($95,245) comes standard with a full LED exterior and interior lighting, 18-in alloy wheels, semiactive air suspension (Airmatic), adaptive dampers, automatic wipers with heated blades, keyless entry/ignition, a wood/leather steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, self-dimming mirrors, leather upholstery, heated 16-way power-adjustable front seats with memory settings, a cabin fragrance system, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-closing doors, blind spot monitoring, self-parking, a hands-free trunk lid, a 115-volt power outlet, a 12.3-in digital instrument panel, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a Burmester surround-sound system with dual USB ports, an HD/satellite radio, 10GB of music storage, Wi-Fi, navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, wireless charging and the Comand infotainment system with a touchpad and its own 12.3-in display.
The S 560 sedan ($105,445) has additional luxuries such as Nappa leather upholstery, quad-zone climate control, multicontour rear seats with power adjustment and massage functions, 19-inch alloy wheels and even heated door panels and armrests. It also has several driving aids, including adaptive cruise control, Magic Body Control (which reads the road surface and adjusts the suspension accordingly), a 360-degree camera system and active front seat bolsters.
The S 560e plug-in hybrid sedan ($110,745) adds its own particular drivetrain and a few specialized instruments.
The S 560 4Matic coupe ($131,145) has massaging multicontour front seats, plus a sport exhaust. The RWD S 560 Cabriolet ($139,595) has the same front seats, plus a power-folding fabric roof and a wind deflector.
The AMG S 63 sedan ($152,595), coupe ($172,395) and cabriolet ($184,495) have their own exterior styling enhancements, 20-in AMG wheels, upgraded brakes, performance suspension, front and rear parking sensors, predictive adaptive dampers (Magic Body Control), multicontour front seats with active side bolsters and six massage programs, and Nappa leather upholstery.
The AMG S 65 sedan ($236,595) ices the cake with a V12 engine and an assortment of AMG styling and performance upgrades.
The Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4Matic ($173,995) and S 650 ($203,545) have almost every luxury and safety feature, along with extra rear passenger space.
Many standard items in the higher models are optional on lower trims. Additional options include carbon-ceramic brake discs and exterior carbon fiber trim (AMG models only), a night vision system, dual-power rear seats with folding tables on the front seatbacks and a refrigerator for the rear cabin (these last two items can’t be ordered with the coupe or cabriolet).
The sedan’s trunk space measures 16 cu ft., average for the class. The coupe’s trunk area is 10.4 cu ft., not particularly roomy. The cabriolet’s cargo space is 12.4 cu ft. with the roof up, or 8.8 cu ft. when it’s folded away.
Safety
Anti-lock disc brakes, an advanced stability control system and 11 airbags (front, front-side, front-pelvis/thorax, driver knee, rear-side, full-length side-curtain airbags) are all standard. Safety technology includes a collision mitigation system, a driver drowsiness monitor, lane-keeping assist, a 360-degree camera system, night vision and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Automatic collision notification and emergency response are also included.
Behind the Wheel
Although the S-Class is perfectly sedate under normal circumstances, every model contains a thrill under the accelerator. Even the “basic” S 450 hits 60 mph from a standing start in five seconds. Naturally, the other models are quicker.
Thanks to the standard air suspension with anti-roll technology, the S-Class stays uncannily flat through corners. The feeling is one of complete composure. The ride is regal, the seats are beyond comfortable and the Burmester audio system would make Mozart weep for joy.
Other Cars to Consider
2020 Audi A8 — Crammed with up-to-the-second tech and down-to-the-finest-detail luxury features. Make a test drive part of the research for that new special sedan.
2020 BMW 7 Series — Phenomenal. Plenty of space and luxury appointments, but will also tempt you to demote the chauffeur to part-time duties.
2020 Lexus LS — Wonderful build quality and many features for the price.
2020 Porsche Panamera — The driver’s choice. But no less luxurious because of that.
Used Rolls-Royce Phantom — Perhaps the only car with more presence than an S-Class, the Phantom can be acquired in lightly used condition for the price of a high-end S-Class.
Autotrader’s Advice
To succeed in life where an S-Class becomes a possibility is something worth celebrating. So we’d be inclined to have a V8-powered S 560 car, whether that might be a sedan, coupe or cabriolet. Find a Mercedes-Benz S-Class for sale
