2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

　　

2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is coming off a successful redesign introduced last year. It improved on the old model in just about every area, from in-car technology features to on-road performance. Given that this is basically still an all-new model, we don't expect any significant changes for 2022, though Mercedes' E-Active Body Control adaptive suspension should be available as an option. This is a special suspension that proactively leans the car into a turn, creating extraordinary body stability.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 500 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$189/mo  for S-Class S 500 4MATIC

　　S-Class S 500 4MATIC

　　S 500 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) - $111,100 MSRPS 580 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) (Most Popular) - $117,700 MSRP

　　vs

　　$198/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　We think the S-Class is one of the best cars on the road today. But there are a few rival sedans worth looking at, especially given the Mercedes' sizable price tag. The BMW 7 Series has long gone head-to-head with the S-Class. Other rivals include the Audi A8, Genesis G90, Lexus LS and Porsche Panamera. All start significantly less than the S-Class, though options quickly add up, especially on the Audi, BMW and Porsche. Still, Mercedes captures something with the S-Class that can't quite be replicated elsewhere. Check out our test team's full Expert Rating to learn more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.5

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the S-Class drive? Outside of AMG-tuned models, the S-Class has never been all that sporty. Comfortable and quick, sure, but not that engaging. That's changed with the new model. The V8 engine makes more power than before, thanks in part to a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Besides improving fuel economy, the 48-volt system fills in the power gap before the turbos build boost and further smooth the shifts from the nine-speed automatic. The generous low-end torque means you don't ever have to work all that hard to pass a car on the highway.

　　But engines have never been the S-Class' issue. Mercedes' engineers have worked to make it feel more athletic without sacrificing comfort. The air suspension keeps the car smooth and composed around turns, and it can lower up to 0.7 inch in the Sport+ driving mode to improve overall handling. The optional rear-axle steering improves high-speed stability and makes it easier to park, another win-win for performance and convenience.

　　

Comfort

9.0/10

　　How comfortable is the S-Class? The outgoing S-Class was already one of the most comfortable vehicles on the road, so the fact that the new model doesn't feel wholly different while cruising isn't a bad thing. The standard heated and massaging front seats are supremely comfortable, with supportive but soft cushions and tons of adjustability. Our test vehicle had a combination of packages that included power-adjustable, heated, ventilated and massaging rear seats with a footrest. It also had heated armrests and four-zone climate control, making the rear seats just as comfortable as the front.

　　It's quiet and refined, too. It's not quite as quiet at idle as some other sedans, but it's still relatively isolating. It's the way that the S-Class maintains that same level of isolation no matter what speed you're going. While there's a small amount of wind and road noise, the S-Class is whisper quiet, even at highway speeds.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below