By clicking a retailer link you consent to third party cookies that track your onward journey. If you make a purchase, Which? will receive an affiliate commission which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion.

Mercedes-BenzS-Class (2021-)

Available new
Large
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid

£93,920Typical price

Test score

where to buy or sell

The version of this car that we've reviewed might not be available to buy through all listed retailer links. For more options, see our guides on where to buy a car and how to sell a car.

Sign up to unlock the full expert review

Few cars can stake a claim to be the ‘best in the world’ but the Mercedes-Benz S-class has traditionally been one of them. It entered its seventh generation in 2020, claiming peerless passenger comfort and with a wide range of power options: petrol, diesel and hybrid. Does the S-class beat luxury saloon rivals like the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS and Porsche Panamera? Find out in our full Mercedes-Benz S-class review.

pros

Content has been blurred out, please log in to view.

cons

What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What's it like to drive?
How reliable are Mercedes-Benz cars?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

Full Access first month £5, then £10.99 per month, cancel at any time

KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Jan 2023Last checked by Which?
Feb 2022First reviewed by Which?
Sept 2020Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

19 Oct 2023

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (large cars, SUVs and MPVs)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Which? safety

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Large
Luxury	Yes
Convertible	No
Availability	Available new
New price	£93,920 - £120,820
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	32.5mpg
Length	5,179mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,954mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,110mm
Height	1,503mm
Driver max height
Second row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	No
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	10.6 m
On sale date	24 September 2020
Lowest pence per mile cost	£20.14

Latest tested engine
Engine name	S 500 4MATIC 9G-TRONIC
Fuel type	Mild-Petrol-Hybrid
Capacity and power	3-litre (457hp)
Transmission	9-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Four-wheel-drive (4WD)
Fuel tank capacity	65 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	20.14p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£94
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	206
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	238
Official fuel economy: WLTP	32.5 to 34.5
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d
Braked tow load (KG)	2100kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	04 November 2021
Test programme	2017

Suggested Alternatives

BMW

i7 (2022-)

Available new
Large
Electric

£95,866Typical price

Test score

Renault

Espace (2003-2012)

Used only
MPV
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid

£750Typical price

Test score

Seat

Altea (2004-2015)

Used only
MPV
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid

£1,011Typical price

Test score

How to find cheap car insurance
Find out ways to get cheaper car insurance quotes from price comparison sites and how to haggle with car insurance companies to save money
Best electric cars for 2024
Our independent lab tests reveal the best electric cars with enough range to go the distance.
How we test cars
Every car we review is subjected to hundreds of tests in our lab and on the road. Find out how our tests help you choose the best car, and avoid the worst.

All new and used car advice

Mercedes-BenzS-Class (2021-)

where to buy or sell

Sign up to unlock the full expert review

pros

cons

What's included?

How we test cars

Ease of driving

Performance

Comfort and practicality

Which? safety

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Brand reliability 10-15 years

How this product's score compares with other new and used cars we've tested

Suggested Alternatives

BMW

Renault

Seat

Related articles

Mercedes-BenzS-Class (2021-)

where to buy or sell

pros

cons

What's included?

Test results

Specifications

Best Buys & Don't Buys

Suggested Alternatives

BMW

Renault

Seat

Related articles