The all-new 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the flagship of the line, will arrive in US dealerships in the first half of 2021. Boosting greater comfort, safety, and the overall experience for driver and passengers, the S-Class embodies not only the brand’s flagship, but a 12.9 percent increase from the 2020 S 450 4Matic Sedan, to the 2021 S 500 4Matic Sedan’s starting price of $109,800.
To streamline production, the new S-Class Sedan will be offered in three trim levels for the US market: Luxury Line, AMG Line, and the Executive Line, the latter available exclusively on the S 580 Sedan. Each level showcases the usual standard technologies and features and beyond that a raft of customization options and appointments to push the dealer’s gross profit even higher.
What do you get in a base model S-Class Sedan? Tech highlights include a 12.8-inch OLED multimedia touchscreen display, and the potential for up to five screens so that no one has to go without. The second-gen learning-capable Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system is standard, with 50 percent more processing power than the previous system. Individual profiles can be activated at a touch of a finger, by voice, or via facial recognition.
New interior technology includes active ambient lighting with LEDs to support the driver assistance systems or to identify speakers when interacting with MBUX. Enhanced active and passive driver assistance systems are included on the new S-Class, incorporating a 360-degree camera with a 3D view assist feature to help you park or maneuver in tight spaces.
Driver assistance systems, with autonomous speed and distance maintenance, ability to stay in its lane, and vehicle speed reduction dependent upon traffic situations, may mean the S-Class is smarter than the operator. Crash sensor systems that recognize a likely impact ahead in more situations than before ensures the S-Class ranks way up there in safety and sophistication.
Described as sensuous and classic, the exterior of the S 500 isn’t so different than the model it replaces that your neighbors will instantly need to trade in their old S 450s, lest they be seen in something outdated. Say what they will about its stretched hood, flowing C-pillar, dynamic rear window, and seamless door handles, it’s a new Benz and won’t be mistaken for anything else.
Generous space in the S-Class means it’s not akin to squeezing into economy class seating. Interior appointments include rapid-heating, ventilating, multi-contour front seats with massage and comfort headrests, Powered sunshades, wireless smartphone integration and wireless charging, toll gate transponder, soft close doors, and a cabin fragrance system are all a part of the program. What gets weird is when it says that you can choose from 10 massage programs with two levels of intensity and in duration ranging from 8-18 minutes. That’s plenty of time to doze off or lose your concentration, and need every bit of the car’s driver assistance.
The S 500 4MATIC’s six-cylinder in-line engine has an output of 429 horsepower and 384 lb.-ft of torque. An EQ Boost integrated starter-generator adds 21 HP and 184 lb.-ft of torque for short bursts of acceleration and power delivery.
The launch of this new S-Class may represent a milestone for Mercedes-Benz, but it remains to be seen if it differs significantly from the previous edition.
[Images: Mercedes-Benz]
Looks like a pricey snooze fest. There is nothing special about these cars anymore. Bigger screens, snazzier light shows, but nothing that special that can’t be duplicated by Hyundai or Toyota or anyone else for 1/4 of the price while getting 80-90% of the experience.
Except for depreciation, it seems like cars are becoming like watches.
Or a scoop of really good vanilla ice cream. Which is what this car looks like.
Go test drive one and get back to us.
Also:
http://read.gov/aesop/005.html
I’m not in the business of wasting people’s time or my own.
Besides, I’ve been in the most recent S-class. They’re really nice. So are cars that are 1/4 of the price. The delta between the two isn’t anywhere near what the price suggests.
It is already obsolete because it is not a BEV.
“It is already obsolete because it is not a BEV.”
Yeah, here’s the EQS in testing.
youtube.com/watch?v=8N_PuvxSZhY
For the kind of money charged, you would think they’d do a better/more clever job hiding the adaptive cruise control radar in the grill, and design a less droopy looking rear end.
In 5 years you’ll be able to pick one of these up for less then half price. These things depreciation like a rock sinking into a lake. Per CarGurus a 2015 S Class that was worth $155k new is now worth 67k now. That is a 56% drop.
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/price-trends/Mercedes-Benz-S-Class-Coupe-d2276
A 2020 Camry LE is $24,970 and a 2015 is $12,990 or 52%. I’m really not sure what point you’re trying to make.
A 2015 Camry has dropped 43%. The point is these S-Class cars are overpriced to start with and the used market is not kind to them.
Could be worse – a Maserati Quattroporte drops 68%
Nobody who can afford one cares – one of these cars is like couch cushion change to the people who buy them new.
Waves. Nice to see you Krhodes.
A 2015 Model S can be had for half price too, maybe the used market is unkind to expensive luxury cars generally.
Nice, but I suppose Mercedes hasn’t even given a thought to offering a Landau Edition with opera windows and fake spoke wheels.
You need to buy the Maybach version if you want baroque styling features.
Baroque is a European thing. 18 century. Opera is Italian. Talking about America: jazz, rock, country, modern, industrial design, pop art.
Pity, its nothing without opera windows (and opera lights).
Front looks good, an improvement.
Interior is overworked and will age poorly because it’s in bad taste. Look at those headrest pillows.
Rear end looks sad and droopy and has no sense of stateliness.
Today’s S-Class doesn’t have nearly the road presence they did in the past.
When someone pulled up in a 1998 S-Class you knew someone arrived. In 2020 it looks like a longer Sonata……..
Those taillights don’t even belong on a Mercedes-Benz! HyundKia called and wants royalties!
Don’t even get me started on the interior!
I’m sure there will be a cottage industry in restoring the classic S-Klasse.
@istanley my favorite 1998 S-Class is the one that matched my Sister’s ‘granny’s lipstick’ plum Intrepid.
Same shade of doeskin interior. The color of a fresh manila envelope!
Striking colors. Makes the S-Class look playful. Like a giant neon! With pixels as big as a GameBoy. Glorious.
Can’t keep them running, though. That’s why one can be bought for the price of (and on the same financing terms as!) a Room-to-Go.
For the target audience, making the vehicle nicer and bumping the price is absolutely the right thing to do. Don’t skimp on your flagship.
(I have some questions about the styling, but that is personal preference.)
For me, the relevant question is whether I will be interested in this vehicle X years down the road when the depreciation curve crosses my budget line (Magic 8-Ball says “Better not tell you now”).
“when the depreciation curve crosses my budget line”
Yes, but will the maintenance cost cross your line as well.
“Outlook not so good”
Here’s an unpopular opinion:
I’d rather have one of these than the old diesel tractors that everyone makes a fuss over, chiefly because it won’t be outgunned by a Corolla.
Otherwise the stylings uninspired, but the only Mercedes that really looks good to me are their 50+ year old coupes.
Coincidentally, I rented a ’19 Corolla not too long ago, and man, is that thing slow.
Toyota has no goals of making Corolla fun to drive at all, unless you include putting a manual in a hatchback, which is worth something… I guess.
Then again, you can get a Kia Forte GT for a few grand less with more power in what appears to be a genuinely fun, cheap car also with a manual.
Yabbut is that manual a super short first gear, mis-matched second, usable 3 and 4– and two overdrives? On a dampened clutch– with hill-hold, and an electronic parking brake?
Today’s manuals are just awful.
Is there any truth to the rumor that one of the options for the cabin fragrance system is “brand new hundred-dollar bills”?
No, but I think they’re still considering the “bought on ebanned” collection.
In 30 years when it hits hoopty status that option can be added. A vial of Eau d’Hookers and Blow will be complimentary.
More than ever, Janis Joplin’s last song, Mercedes Benz, becomes relevant:
“Oh Lord, won’t you buy me,
A Mercedes Benz…..”