Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe 2021 Review

The S-Class has long been Mercedes-Benz's flagship vehicle platform to showcase the company's capabilities in luxury, comfort and technology. For 2021, Mercedes-Benz has comprehensively redesigned the S-Class and looks to continue the tradition of innovation and elegance that has long defined this iconic sedan and keep it ahead of rivals such as the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Porsche Panamera.

The most recognizable changes can be seen inside the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It flaunts a larger touchscreen and fewer physical buttons, proof that Mercedes has delved further into using technology to enhance the comfort and driving experience. Even with a tech-heavy appearance, there's still the opulence and attention to detail S-Class buyers expect. Of course there are many, if not more, changes beneath the subtle metal restyling. A retuned suspension, more sophisticated advanced driver aids and an impressive rear-wheel steering system are among them. 

With its full redesign, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class leaves no doubt that it offers one of the most technologically advanced and refined driving experiences on the market. Bristling with technology that provides not only comfort but also intense personalization as well as safety, the S-Class again sets a new standard for a luxury sedan. It might take some buyers a bit of time to adjust to the radically new interior, but our time in the new S-Class has left us deeply impressed.

Which S-Class does MatoCar recommend?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a large luxury vehicle sold in sedan, coupe and convertible body styles. The sedan is completely redesigned for 2021, while the coupe and convertible are essentially carried over from the previous generation. Since little has changed for the coupe and convertible for 2021, be sure to check out last year's review for a full list of standard and optional features for these models.

The 2021 S-Class sedan is available with your choice of two powertrains. The S 500 is driven by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six (429 horsepower, 384 lb-ft of torque) paired to a mild hybrid system. The hybrid component can provide an extra boost of 21 hp and 184 lb-ft under certain conditions. The S 580 also uses this mild hybrid system, but this time it's paired with a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (496 hp, 516 lb-ft). Both models feature all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission.

New for this year are three trim levels. The Luxury Line and AMG Line are available with either engine, while the range-topping Executive Line can only be optioned on the S 580.

Luxury Line Regardless of engine choice, the base S-Class trim is known as the Luxury Line. It has a vast set of standard features that include:

• 19-inch wheels
• Power trunklid
• Panoramic sunroof
• Air suspension (can raise or lower the ride height of the vehicle)
• Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut)
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Dual-zone automatic climate control with fragrance atomizer
• Ambient interior lighting
• Heated, ventilated and massaging front seats
• Leather upholstery (S 500 only)
• Premium leather upholstery (S 580 only)
• Power front and rear sunshades
• Navigation system with augmented reality driving directions
• 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality
• Wireless charging pad
• 15-speaker Burmester audio system
• Eight USB-C ports

The S 500 also comes with a comprehensive list of advanced driving aids, such as:

• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Mercedes and the car in front)
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
• Automated lane-change assist (guides the vehicle into the next lane when the turn signal is used)
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
• Safe exit assist (alerts passengers when opening a door into traffic approaching from behind)
• Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
• Rear and cross-traffic automatic braking (applies the brakes automatically to avoid an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle, or a vehicle or pedestrian crossing in front of the vehicle)
• Front-mounted dashcam (records an image of the road ahead, which can be reviewed at a later time)
• Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
• 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Mercedes-Benz and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

AMG Line The AMG Line is a sporty appearance package that starts with Luxury Line equipment and adds:

• Sporty front and rear bumpers
• Choice of 19-, 20- or 21-inch wheels

Executive Line Available only with the S 580 engine, the Executive Line adds:

• Rear-wheel steering with 10 degrees of turning ability
• Four-zone climate control
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated front and rear armrests
• Rear neck heaters
• Heated, ventilated, massaging and power-adjustable outboard rear seats
• Rear seat memory settings
• Rear entertainment system
• Rear wireless charging pad
• Rear control panel
• Rear airbags

The S-Class is available with a number of packages and stand-alone options. These include:

• Warmth and Comfort package (Luxury and AMG Line only)
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated front and rear armrests
• Heated, ventilated and power-adjustable outboard rear seats
• Rear seat memory settings
• 3D Technology package
• 3D instrument panel
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
• Night package (AMG Line only)
• Black-painted exterior accents
• Rear-wheel steering with 4.5 degrees of turning ability (AMG Line only)
• Heated steering wheel
• 30-speaker Burmester premium audio system
• Wood and leather steering wheel
• Upgraded premium leather upholstery
• Wood, metal or piano black veneers