2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid

　　

2023 Mercedes-Benz S 580e hybrid Review

byAlex NishimotoCorrespondent

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　, rating written byAlex NishimotoDirector, Vehicle Testing

　　Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at zzdcar, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.

　　For decades, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has set the standard for the flagship luxury sedan class. The current model, introduced in 2021, is no exception. With its high levels of luxury, cutting-edge tech and near perfect balance of performance and comfort, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sets a high bar for its competitors.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

Mercedes-Benz S-Class PHEV Insights

Trim:S-Class S 580e 4MATIC

　　S 580e 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 9A) (Most Popular) - $120,500 MSRP

　　

All Electric Range

　　46 miles

　　EPA Estimated Electric Range

　　The S-Class will automatically switch to gas when the electric battery is low.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

Hybrid Parts Warranty

　　6 yrs or 62,000 milesHybrid batteries are federally mandated to carry at least 8 years or 100,000 miles of warranty coverage from the manufacturer. Batteries that lose capacity more rapidly than expected should be eligible for replacement under warranty. Coverage of additional hybrid components beyond the battery itself will vary by automaker.

　　

Charging at Home

　　2.5 hours

　　Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　See All PHEV incentives

　　

Cost to Drive

　　$163/mo

　　S-Class

　　vs

　　$198/mo

　　Car Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　See All PHEV Insights

　　The S-Class is just two years into its redesign, so changes for 2023 are relatively minor. The biggest change is the introduction of the plug-in hybrid S 580e model. The six-cylinder hybrid variant makes an impressive 510 horsepower and can cover short distances on battery power alone . The S 580e is available with DC fast-charging capability, which can restore 80% of the battery in as little as 20 minutes.

　　The S-Class was the zzdcar Top Rated Luxury Sedan in 2022, and even though we think the Mercedes is the best offering in the class, there are a few other full-size luxury sedans worth considering. The BMW 7 Series, Genesis G90 and Lexus LS are all competent flagships in their own right. Check out our Expert Rating below to see how they hold up to the mighty S-Class. 

　　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

　　8.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the S 580e hybrid drive? If you're someone that likes to have your cake and eat it too, well, you've come to the right bakery. The S 580e combines Mercedes-Benz's super smooth turbocharged inline-six with an electric motor. The result eclipses both the power and torque of the V8-power S 580. We confirmed the S 580e's superior speed at our track, recording a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds, a few tenths quicker than the V8-powered car, and it maintained that lead through the quarter mile. And even though the hybrid outweighs the V8 model by about 600 pounds, it managed to outstop and outcorner its higher-cylinder sibling as well. What are they putting in those electrons these days?

　　The S 580e's generous and instant low-end torque means easy driving in every scenario and quiet passing power whenever you need it. The automatic transmission works quickly and near seamlessly to place you in the right gear at all times, as the transition between electric and gas power is almost imperceptible. We wouldn't expect such a large sedan to handle as well as this S-Class does, but the standard air suspension performs some real magic. It keeps the car composed around turns when you need it and lets it move and breathe freely when the road isn't perfect. Add the optional rear-axle steering to the mix and the improvements in high-speed stability and low-speed maneuverability almost feel like cheating.

　　

Comfort

9.0/10

　　How comfortable is the S 580e hybrid? The S-Class has built a reputation for being one of most comfortable vehicles on the road, and the S 580e plug-in hybrid is no different. 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 radiant heated armrests and four-zone climate control, making the rear seats just as comfortable as the front, if not more so.

　　The S-Class' typically vault-like cabin achieves a new level of quiet when it's running on electric power alone. And even when you've run out of battery juice and the engine kicks on, you'd be hard-pressed to notice that transition even with the sound system off. And it's not just the lack of noise from the hybrid powertrain; it's also how the S-Class is able to insulate you from the outside world as well. All manner of wind and road noise is hushed to the degree that you can have a whisper-quiet conversation even at highway speeds.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below