2021 Mercedes-Benz Elevates S-Class Standards and Pricing

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model it replaces that your neighbors will instantly need to trade in their old S 450s, lest they be seen in something outdated.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]