Highs As high-tech as a Silicon Valley startup, as lavish as a room at a royal palace, as nimble as much smaller sedans.
Lows Doesn't appear as grand as it is, digital gauges sacrifice craftsmanship, adaptive cruise doesn't work as well as it should.
Verdict The S-class sedan remains the gold standard of large luxury cars with its cutting-edge tech and countless comforts.

Overview

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-class is as much a personal limo for the ultra-wealthy as it is a rolling showcase of the company's latest tech. Not only does Mercedes' iconic sedan have an interior that's lined with the finest materials, but it also features huge OLED screens on the dashboard as well as a 3D-capable display and navigation with augmented reality. Along with standard all-wheel drive, the S-class's effortless acceleration comes from a 429-hp straight-six (S500) or a 496-hp V-8 (S580). Driving either model isn't about excitement, it's about isolation and relaxation, which is why the best seats are in the back. Still, this huge barge is surprisingly nimble around curves and in traffic, especially with the optional rear-axle steering. Regardless of the occasion, the 2022 S-class rises to it, which is why we named it to our Editors' Choice list.

What's New for 2022?

The 2022 S-class lineup receives a handful of new additions. Most notably, the company's E-Active Body Control is now available. This fully active suspension system automatically adjusts damping and level control for each individual wheel to maximize ride quality and vehicle stability. Also newly available is the MBUX Interior Assist, which essentially recognizes gestures as well as hand movements towards the touchscreen or touchpad and highlights or activates the desired content. The system can also tell the difference between the driver and front-seat passenger and store individual preferences. The S-class comes in new colors, too: Nautical Blue metallic, Kalahari Gold, Manufaktur Cashmere White Mango, and Manufaktur Selenite Grey Mango. The center console is now offered in metallic black and silver or with black dotted lines.

Although its starting price is significantly higher than the 2020 model, the new S-class boasts a host of modernizations and improvements to justify it's six-figure price tag. We think the ultimate luxury item is a powerful engine, so we'd pay extra to have the 496-hp V-8 and the more prestigious S580 trunklid badge.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Mercedes offers the sedan with either a 429-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine on the S500 or a 496-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 on the S580. Both powertrains are supplemented by a 48-volt hybrid system (called EQ Boost) and pair with a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive. There will also be a plug-in-hybrid model that's said to have about 60 miles of all-electric range...