Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan review 2022: uncompromising style and unparalleled precision
As the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz sedan range, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a truly luxury vehicle. Thanks to its turbocharged inline-six engine, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S- is remarkably fast. Inside, the luxury sedan is luxurious and spacious, and comes loaded with comfort features and a host of advanced driver assistance technologies.
But is this enough to continue to outperform fast and luxurious German rivals such as the BMW 7 Series or the Audi A8? With annual updates sharpening the competition, how difficult is it for Mercedes-Benz to maintain its position at the top of the full-size luxury sedan segment? Read on to find out the answer in more detail.
New Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2022
After a massive update last year, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class only got cosmetic changes. Including a center console in two versions. Addition of new exterior paint colors. The new standard feature is the MBUX interior assistance system, and a new electronic active body control suspension system. E-Active Body Control. and Road Surface Scan technology.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2022 exterior design
Subtlety is not a word that should apply to any luxury car. These cars are meant to exude elegance and sophistication. This is what the old Mercedes-Benz cars did well, but the newer design language is quieter. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2022 lines are clean but nice. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s boring or ugly, but the Mercedes-Benz S-Class looks like any other Mercedes. With a large but simple grille view, all exterior lighting is high-tech LED headlights. A simple rear spoiler is available, in body color or in black.
Other standard features include 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic roof, power folding side mirrors, an automatic boot lid, and easy-closing doors. Larger wheels are available, however. Both the S500 and S580 are available with AMG Line features, which make them equipped with twin AMG five-spoke wheels, combined with the AMG body design.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2022 dimensions
The only thing that really stands out in the S-Class is its sheer size. It measures 208.2 inches in length and has a large wheelbase of 126.6 inches. But its 76.9-inch width can make this sedan difficult to park, and its 59.2-inch height doesn’t give it a more impressive roadside view. It weighs 4,775 pounds.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class engine 2022
Mercedes-Benz doesn’t know how to make an idle car, and it starts the powertrain in the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class with a 2.9-liter S350d diesel engine. It produces 282 horsepower, enough to go from 0-62 mph in 6.4 seconds, and it felt a bit more powerful despite its size.
And if you’re looking for something a little more compelling, you’ve got the S500’s 429-horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine that cuts acceleration time from 0 to 62 mph to just 4.9 seconds. Mild Hybrid Electric Assist sharpens the automatic gearbox’s response. But the Audi S8 and BMW 750i are still faster than them.
The S580e Plus Hybrid Model (PHEV) is our preferred choice. It combines the S500 engine with an electric motor and battery with a capacity of 28.6 kWh, producing 503 horsepower. Sprinting from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.2 seconds, it’s fast, but the acceleration isn’t quite as lively, and its electric range is impressive, at 63 miles. Whichever model you choose, top speed is limited to 130 mph.
Suspension and driving comfort in the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class exemplifies the exemplary quality of highway ride , the air suspension enters downhill slopes and climbs very well. It is one of the few cars in the world in which passengers can lie with their heads on the headrest without being pushed forward over bumps. In other words, it is ideal for business leaders who want to take a nap while the driver is driving them across the country.
However, the broken edges of the potholes cause a little more jolt than you’d feel in the Audi A8, especially at city speeds. This is even more evident in the S580e PHEV series because the weight of its batteries doesn’t give the suspension much more to handle. However, it is still more comfortable than the BMW 7 Series.
Driving impressions and performance of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a massive luxury liner, so don’t expect to handle it like a CLA. However, it is a very confident car as long as you respect its limits. So as not to lose control of five tons of steel. There are Sport driving modes, and Sport Plus that stiffen the suspension and tighten the steering a bit, but that’s not really what the car was made for, so don’t expect much from it in those modes. And made just for luxury and total comfort. Besides being able to reach top speed in a matter of seconds,
What’s really impressive is how the suspension totally facilitates the ride no matter the vehicle’s speed, the 21-inch wheels are usually annoying for a comfort-focused car, but they work well here. The standard 19-inch wheels are silky smooth, possibly due to the rear axle steering and E-Active body control system for improved maneuverability and handling.
The cabin of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a world of its own. Not only does it prevent inappropriate vibrations or bumps from disturbing its occupants, but it also ensures that no unwanted noise gets in. Like road and wind noise, the steering wheel has a lot of reassuring weight and precision.
The handling and stability of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
There’s a fair amount of body tilt in, even with the suspension stiffer, but the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class gives you plenty of grip and reassuring stability—it’s sturdier than a Land Rover Range Rover. And if you want to treat this luxury limousine like a sports car, we’ll direct you to the BMW 7 Series. Although the S400d and S500 are equipped with the standard 4Matic all-wheel drive system, which provides better traction in slippery conditions.
Noise and vibration in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2022
The S580e plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is even better. When this hybrid electric vehicle accelerates to highway speeds using battery power alone, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class handles passengers beautifully quietly without engine noise or choppy gear changes. And when the engine starts, the transition from electric power to gasoline is almost undetectable. But diesel engines sometimes send slight vibrations through the steering column and the floor. You will also notice a small vibration when you move and stop during a traffic jam.
There’s some road roar and wind noise at 70 mph, but the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a far cry from the highway hustle and bustle. We wish the brake pedal on the S580e was a bit firmer. The pedal resistance tends to change as the speed slows down, and it affects the smoothness of braking. The PHEV Audi A8 is better in this respect, and it is quieter.
The fuel consumption of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2022
Even light hybrid assistance won’t save this large and heavy vehicle from a hefty fuel bill. The S500 delivers 21/30/24 mpg city/highway/combined cycles, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class with the larger and more powerful V8 engine, the S580 is the least impressive and only gets 16/25/19 mpg.
Of course, when you spend an extra $100,000 on a car, the extra $5,000 on annual gasoline bills doesn’t matter, to fill both models’ 22.2 gallon tanks, enough to travel a 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 533 miles or 422 miles.
Interior design of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2022
If you were entrusted with finding a Mercedes-Benz with an unattractive and low-quality interior, you will undoubtedly return empty-handed. Especially the brand’s flagship sedan 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is luxury and elegance embodied. Yes, the exterior design may pale in comparison to competing sports sedans, but the interior of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is another word.
From the seats to the dashboard and door panels, every surface is covered in premium, high-quality materials, and when it comes to technology the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is awash in screens, but the lack of any kind of analog interaction might disappoint old-school design purists. . Aside from all the different woods and metals, the center console is now available in two different designs.
Interior quality of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The interior quality of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is impressive (and improved over the outgoing model), with rich materials, including supple Nappa leather, real wood veneer, metal inserts and foam plastic. And there’s no doubt that the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class shines a lot with those attractive 64-color ambient lighting, which runs across the tops of the doors and dashboard.
Yes, only the best materials were used in the construction of the Mercedes cabin, and the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class got the highest quality, in a selection of colours, and in general both models share the same cabin options, including standard slate poplar wood, or a choice of walnut. Brown at an additional cost, or choose black alloyed stainless steel for the AMG Line sub-models.
Driving mode and dashboard of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class gets a power-adjustable driver’s seat as standard (including 4-way lumbar adjustment), a 4-way steering wheel, and both the seat and wheel have memory functions. The seat is also nicely padded and very supportive, I feel comfortable while driving.
The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel is clear, easy to read and able to show a variety of information. But when you select 3D mode, the screen and any other features can be difficult to use, because the controls are touch-sensitive. And it’s very easy to accidentally trigger something while turning the wheel. The BMW 7 Series, with its physical controls, is even more user-friendly.
Vision and sensors in the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
There’s enough overall vision to make driving the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class easier than you might expect. The AMG Line model features front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera as standard, as is the semi-autonomous parking and a 360-degree camera, which are standard on all ‘other models’.
This giant car is less challenging than you might expect. The AMG Line model features front and rear parking sensors as well as a rearview camera as standard. A semi-autonomous park and 360-degree camera are standard on all other “models” models.
The lighting systems provide good night vision via the ultra-bright adaptive LED headlights, with main beams that prevent other drivers from blinding. They can be replaced with Ultra Range LED lights with a maximum range of 650 metres.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2022 seats and interior space
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class guarantees plenty of comfort, as the rear seat is more spacious than the front seat. But height is different. Up front, there’s 42.1 inches of headroom and 41.7 inches of legroom. Comfort is heightened by the inclusion of advanced features such as electrically adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, and finding a comfortable driving position is a simple task, despite its large size. Any small blind spots are covered with comprehensive driver assistance features.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2022 Navigation, Information and Entertainment Systems
All 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles are equipped with a giant vertical touchscreen, which tilts upwards for easy viewing and use. Equipped with satellite-enhanced infotainment and navigation systems, wireless mobile phone charging with eight USB-C ports, and a removable 7.0-inch tablet in the rear armrest.
The graphics of the screen are sharp, the system is generally responsive to your commands, and the menus are easy enough to get used to after a bit of practice. The “Hey Mercedes” natural voice recognition system performs many, but not all, functions. The audio system includes a nine-speaker stereo, increasing to 15 speakers with a power of 710 watts.
Safety and security specifications for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2022
Mercedes-Benz usually does not offer its more expensive cars for a comprehensive crash test review. So, you won’t find any official NHTSA rating for them, and they haven’t been Euro NCAP tested for safety, but you do get plenty of safety gear as standard. Including Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Monitoring. In some models, the front seats can push you toward the center of the car in the event of a side impact.
The standard safety specs on the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class are great, too. This includes a surround-view camera system, forward collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, attention assist, evasive steering assist, and parking sensors. Crosswind assist is also included, as well as stop-and-go assistance. And the display on the windshield is available.
Mercedes-Benz reliability
Mercedes ranked 22nd out of 30 manufacturers in reliability surveys. BMW ranks 13th behind it, followed by Audi in the 18th position, followed by the Range Rover Land Rover manufacturer in 29th.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2022 car problems
There aren’t enough consumer reviews about the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class at J.D. Power to standardize the reliability rating. But there were some problems that led to the recall of this luxury sedan. The 2022 model has already been recalled twice to malfunction the emergency call system, the infotainment system because it is distracting the driver. The 2021 model was even worse, with 7 recalls for various reasons.
Warranty and maintenance costs for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2022
Every 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranty, plus 24-hour roadside assistance. There is a three-year/unlimited mileage warranty and a malfunction cover.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2022 Prices
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars are more affordable, and the cheapest S500 model with a six-cylinder engine costs $100,000. The Luxury Line model sells for $111,100. The price may reach $129,100.
Comparison of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the BMW 7 Series
A direct competitor to the S-Class is perhaps one of its compatriots, the BMW 7 Series. These two cars have been competing for decades. And since Mercedes usually releases a new model before BMW, the S-Class has a few years of dominance until the new BMW version is ready, so the 7 Series doesn’t easily outpace its competition. We don’t know if the 7 Series will steal the lead until BMW releases the latest version.
The only sure answer is that BMW is the ultimate sports car, but its interior design is no match for what Mercedes has to offer. Then again, the BMW 7 Series starts at a much more affordable price, with the 740i RWD selling for $86,800. Both are usually on par in terms of technology, however, if you’re a BMW enthusiast you won’t be impressed by whatever Mercedes-Benz makes, and vice versa.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2022 features
- The eight-cylinder V8 engine is the most powerful of the brand
- Offers unparalleled comfort and interior quality
- The ride quality is smooth and quiet
- It carries a lot of standard features
- Offers many customization options
- The hybrid version is great ingredients
- Plenty of room especially at the rear of the long wheelbase models
Disadvantages of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
- The exterior design is unimpressive and does not match the interior design
- Excess technology can be overwhelming or distressing for some
- BMW and Audi have strong offers especially in terms of price
- Excessive reliance on touch-sensitive controls
- Diesel engine is not as smooth as it should be
- Mercedes’ reliability record is not the best
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