Following our latest check drive of the brand new EQS SUV, we had a concept that Mercedes-Benz was nonetheless reserving its finest efforts for its gasoline automobiles, slightly than striving to make its EVs pretty much as good as they are often. Spending every week in a 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan, a V8-powered S 580 mannequin no much less, has reaffirmed our suspicions. There’s a motive why the EQS will get a very totally different identify and advertising and marketing technique; it is simply not an S-Class.
Mercedes has not too long ago expanded the S-Class lineup with a plug-in hybrid variant, and consumers can now select from that powertrain or inline-six and V8 choices. There are additionally Maybach variants obtainable, plus a Mercedes-AMG S63 E Efficiency mannequin with a whopping 791 horsepower hybrid powertrain. Although our S 580 check automobile was removed from peak S-Class, it nonetheless reminded us why gasoline nonetheless has loads of benefits over electrical.
Exterior: Do You Like Compliments?
We have grown used to receiving compliments in a number of the high-dollar automobiles we overview, however these feedback hardly ever come when driving an S-Class. Regardless of being costly, the S-Class is a automobile that does not shout about its opulence – it makes an attempt to mix in with out attracting an excessive amount of undesirable consideration. Except you get it in China Blue, that’s. This Mercedes Manufaktur colour provides $6,500 to the sticker value however is price each penny for the distinctive aura it offers off. A lot of the S-Class sedans we have seen on the highway are wrapped in boring shades like white and black, so to see one completed in a novel blue like that is jarring in all the appropriate methods. Nonetheless, irrespective of which colour you select, we discover the S-Class to be much more engaging than the aero-obsessed EQS Sedan.
Our tester was outfitted with the $4,300 AMG Line Package deal, which “sportifies” the S-Class with AMG physique styling and 19-inch wheels, which have been additional upgraded to 21-inch items for an extra $1,950. Frankly, we’d have most well-liked the smaller wheels because the bigger ones upset the trip over bigger bumps. An S-Class is all about consolation, so choosing any function that compromises the trip looks like a mistake to us.
Inside: The Wow Issue
It is not simply the outside the place we favor the S-Class to the EQS; that sentiment carries over into the cabin. Although it lacks the huge Hyperscreen discovered within the EQ automobiles, we did not miss it in any respect. The touchscreen within the S-Class is giant sufficient and packs the identical performance. When it comes to materials high quality, the S-Class nonetheless feels a notch above any of the EQS fashions we have pushed, as if Mercedes reserved the best high quality for its gasoline flagship. Every little thing you contact and work together with simply feels costlier right here.
In contrast to the EQS, the S-Class provides an obtainable Burmester Excessive-Finish 4D Audio System. It consists of 31 audio system with 1,750 watts of energy output, together with audio system within the seat backs that therapeutic massage you utilizing the bass out of your music. It is fairly the expertise – and it prices $6,800. Although our tester was lacking the Govt Rear Seat Package deal discovered within the Govt trim, the again seat remains to be much more comfy than the EQS, with extra head and legroom, plus softer seats that sit at a greater angle. For chauffeuring, the S-Class is way superior, regardless that it lacks the wonderful Theater Display screen discovered within the new BMW 7 Sequence.
Efficiency: No Limitations
The S 580 4Matic is probably the most highly effective non-AMG or Maybach S-Class on sale. It packs a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 tuned to ship 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque in a very unnoticeable trend. You possibly can barely even inform when the engine is off, and because of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, it kicks on and off seamlessly throughout stops. Serenity just isn’t reserved only for the eerie silence of electrical automobiles, it appears. The S 500 4Matic is not any slouch, with its 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six producing 429 hp and 384 lb-ft. At 4.9 seconds to 60 mph, it sacrifices simply half a second in comparison with the S 580 for about $10,000 much less. It additionally averages 23 mpg mixed in comparison with 19 mpg with the V8.
Environmentally acutely aware people could wish to take into account the S 580e plug-in hybrid mannequin, which makes use of the identical inline-six because the S 500 with ‘solely’ 362 hp and 369 lb-ft, nevertheless it provides a 148-hp electrical motor for a complete output of 510 hp. It could possibly additionally drive round 46 miles on electrical energy, one of many longest ranges of any PHEV, because of a 21.5-kWh battery. Although we’ve not pushed it but, this looks like the powertrain to get. But regardless of the “thirsty” V8 on our tester, the S 580 confirmed 450 miles of vary on a full tank, which is additional than nearly any EV will take you.
Pricing: Nonetheless The Flagship
The S-Class can’t be instantly in comparison with the EQS for the reason that latter comes with much less energy and efficiency on the low finish of the vary. Should you examine the S 580 to the EQS 580, although, issues turn out to be much more comparable. The V8-powered S-Class begins at $124,000 whereas the dual-motor EQS with a bit extra energy prices $125,950. A totally-loaded S 580 Govt Line is costlier at $140,100 versus $131,350 for an EQS 580 Pinnacle Trim, however the S-Class does get a nicer again seat and choices that are not obtainable on the EQS. We would additionally look lengthy and exhausting on the S 580e, which begins at $122,550.
In our opinion, the S-Class remains to be the clear flagship within the Mercedes lineup, and we tremendously favor it to the EQS Sedan. BMW has are available sizzling with its newest 7 Sequence, which we imagine is finest loved in electrical i7 guise as a result of it seems like a 7 Sequence first and an electrical automotive second, in contrast to the EQS Sedan. The 7 Sequence now provides a extra spectacular again seat than the S-Class, although the Mercedes is the extra engaging automotive on the surface. BMW has lastly given Mercedes one thing to consider, however the S-Class nonetheless shines as a near-perfect luxurious sedan.