The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is so over the top in oh so many ways. It’s a super-duper luxury vehicle with a six-figure price tag, loaded with tech and safety features, the finest materials, countless creature comforts and a choice of powerful engines.
Base Price: $117,700
As Tested: $137,760
Horsepower: 496
Mileage: 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway/19 mpg combined
The S-Class sedan got a makeover for 2021. For 2022, the S-Class gets some updates including the MBUX Interior Assist which recognizes hand gestures in addition to touch and voice commands, and the E-Active Body Control suspension system which gives the S-Class such a smooth ride you feel like you’re gliding on a cloud. The Maybach S 680 trim is added to the line-up, while the coupe and convertible body styles are discontinued.
The 2022 S-Class comes in four trims: S 500, S 580, the Maybach S 580, and Maybach S 680. Starting prices range from $111,100 to upwards of $200,000 for the Maybach S 680. These are high even for the super luxury car class.
The Mercedes-Benz all-wheel-drive 4Matic system is standard on all trims.
Under the hood are three engine choices. The S 500 is powered by a turbocharged and supercharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine that produces 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The S 580 gets a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that makes 496 horses and 516 pound-feet. The S 680 has a mammoth twin-turbo V12 that makes a whopping 621 hp and 664 pound-feet. All engines are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
My tester has the V8. Acceleration feels like a rocket ship—it can go from zero to 60 in just 4.4 seconds, and it feels effortless. Need to quickly sprint for merging and passing at freeway speeds? The S 580 easily glides up to speed with the nine-speed shifting quickly and accurately. The S 580 is a large vehicle but it handles like a smaller car. It’s easy to drive, whether you’re cruising on the highway or navigating stop-and-go city traffic. Steering and brakes are responsive, and the S 580 stays planted when cornering. The ride is quiet and super smooth—there’s almost no engine and wind noise and you won’t notice bumps and rough roads.
The super luxury car class isn’t known for good fuel efficiency. The S 580 does better than many rivals. EPA ratings for my tester are 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway with a combined rating of 19. I got 21 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The cabin is absolutely gorgeous with every creature comfort you could want. Materials are beautiful and are of the very best quality. Fit and finish are exemplary with every stitch and detail perfectly aligned. The standard configuration has room for five passengers and there’s also a four-seat configuration. Seats are extremely comfortable and supportive. Passengers in both rows have generous leg- and headroom, and even six-foot passengers will have plenty of room in the second row.
Standard features include proximity keyless entry, push-button start, remote start, surround-view camera system, power soft-close doors, dual-zone automatic climate control, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, massaging front seats (I turned on the massage function every time I was behind the wheel!), infotainment system with 12.8-inch touchscreen, gesture and voice recognition, navigation, 15-speaker audio system, HD Radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth, six USB ports, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless device charging, ambient lighting, a cabin air fragrance system, adaptive headlights with automatic high beams, power rear sunshades and a panoramic sunroof.
Available features include a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, heated steering wheel, 30-speaker audio system, 3D gauge cluster, heated and cooled cup holders, refrigerator, heated armrests, heated and ventilated rear seats with massage functions, power-extendable leg and footrests, folding tray tables, and a rear-seat entertainment system with two 11.6-inch touch screens and a handheld tablet.
Standard driver assistance technologies include front and rear collision warning with pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring with front and rear cross traffic alert, hands-free park assist, driver drowsiness monitoring, built-in dashcam, and Car-to-X communication that lets your Mercedes communicate with other equipped vehicles.
The S-Class gets the latest version of the MBUX infotainment system. The ginormous touchscreen dominates the center console. Graphics look great and menus are logically laid out. The system responds quickly to commands, through the touchscreen, voice commands and steering wheel controls. You can say “Hey Mercedes” and the system listens for your command. The drawback, though, is that there aren’t physical controls, so it can be challenging to change the radio station or adjust climate settings while you’re driving.
Trunk space is below average for the class. The S 500 and S 580 trims have 13.8 cubic feet, while the Maybach models have even less at 12.5 cubes. A hands-free power trunk lid is standard.
The good:
Powerful engines
Dynamic performance
Super smooth ride
Beautiful cabin loaded with features and amenities
Latest technology
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
High price tag
Below average trunk space
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $117,700. Carmine Red and Black Exclusive Nappa Leather upholstery is $3,110. Stainless Steel-metal blended fabric in black and silver is $850. 21-inch AMG V-multi-spoke wheels with black inlays are $1,950. Rear-axle steering 4.5 degree is $1,300. Center console in Metallic mixed look is $300. The Warmth and Comfort Package is $3,800 and includes a heated steering wheel, power outboard rear seats with memory, heated and active ventilated outboard rear seats, heated front and rear center armrests and heated door armrests. The Night Package is $400 and includes front splitter and fins in the air intakes in high-gloss black, side sill panels with inserts in high-gloss black, and trim on the rear apron in high-gloss black. The 3D Technology Package is $3,000 and includes the MBUX augmented reality head-up display and 3D instrument cluster. The AMG Line is $4,300 and includes AMG wheels and sport body styling on the front and rear bumpers and side skirts, stainless steel sport pedals with rubber studs, and AMG floor mats. Destination fee is $1,050 bringing the grand total to $137,760.
Bottom line:
The 2022 Mercedes S-Class is the cream of the crop when it comes to super luxury vehicles. It’s got everything you could expect and want: plenty of power and effortless performance, a sumptuous cabin loaded with amenities, and the latest technology and safety features. If you can afford a car with a six-figure price tag, it’s worth checking out.
