It wasn’t that long ago that the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series and Audi A8 were in constant battle, either for the U.S. sales crown for luxury flagship sedans or for bragging rights with the most innovative technology.
But when the Tesla Model S came out in 2012, it became the shiny new conveyance for deep-pocketed shoppers (or collectors), and there were certain years when the all-electric Model S outsold all its internal-combustion rivals, combined. It had sucked the life out of Germany’s prized four-door offerings.
Heavily Updated 2027 S-Class
But in 2026, a lot has changed. The Model S has languished, and a fundamentally weaker market for battery-electrics has generated a spark for uber ICE sedans. BMW claims to be No.1 in the segment with 7-Series sales climbing 6 percent to 11,393 units in 2025, despite its polarizing saber tooth tiger grille.
This sector is not as robust as it was 20 years ago, when Mercedes sold 30,000 S-Class sedans in the U.S. But Mercedes-Benz is ready to renew its battle with Bavaria as it plans to deliver a heavily updated 2027 S-Class that arrives in American showrooms in the second half of 2026.
Previous S-Class Needed More Flair?
The seventh-generation Mercedes S-Class (pictured below) arrived in 2021 (codename W223) and was generally well received for its unmatched comfort and refinement, smooth powertrains and intelligent driver-assistance tech, even if some critics found the exterior a bit dull and the screen-heavy cabin to be overwhelming.
The 2027 updates for the S-Class are intended to address some of the recent shortcomings while amping up the ride quality and integrating the latest gadgetry. As for screens, well, they aren’t being dialed back.
More Than Modest Refresh
Mercedes says that in its long history, the S-Class has never had such an extensive mid-cycle refresh, claiming more than 50 percent of the car – approximately 2,700 components – is newly developed, updated and refined. We’re not just talking about a new front end, although that gets tweaked as well (pictured below).
What’s the most important feature to an S-Class shopper? It’s hard to say, but powertrain must rank near the top, and shoppers have three options, all of them turbocharged with 4Matic all-wheel drive and limited to 130 mph on the autobahn. Each engine also uses a 23-horsepower integrated starter generator for more boost at low engine speeds and to allow coasting to save fuel. The 48-volt mild-hybrid system is designed for smooth start/stop functionality.
442 HP, To Start
The entry powertrain in the 2027 S 500 is the improved 442-horsepower 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder (M 256 Evo) with 443 pound-feet of torque. Mercedes says it can sprint to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds — not bad for a luxury car weighing 4,861 pounds. That same engine in the 2026 S-Class (pictured below) was rated at 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet, with a 4.8-second time to 60 mph.
Stepping up means adding two cylinders in the 2027 S 580, with the 4.0-liter V8 (M 177 Evo) rated at a stout 530 horsepower and 553 pound-feet, good for a 3.9-second dash to 60. Before it was most recently tweaked, this engine (billed as the “Biturbo with EQ Boost”) was slower, with 496 horsepower and 516 pound-feet.
PHEV With A Smaller Battery
And like the previous S-Class, the 2027 version has the S580e plug-in hybrid that pairs the 3.0-liter inline-6 with an electric motor for a combined 576 horsepower (gaining 73 horsepower over the previous PHEV) and 553 pound-feet, same as with the V8.
This one is a hair slower than the V8, at 4.4 seconds to 60 mph, although EPA fuel economy is likely to be better. We won’t know how much better until closer to launch, when we’ll also find out how many miles of all-electric range will be expected with its 21.9-kWh battery. The previous S-Class PHEV used a larger 28.6-kWh battery that enabled 46 miles of EV range.
10-Degree Rear Steering
Count on an exceedingly smooth driving experience from the standard AirMatic air suspension or optional E-Active Body Control – both with intelligent damping – while the standard 4.5-degrees of optional rear-axle steering should improve maneuverability. You can also pick the 10-degree rear steering option, which isn’t exactly like a crab-walking Hummer but could make your S-Class feel like a Smart car.
But there’s so much more to the 2027 S-Class than world-class powertrains, handling and driver assistance. Mercedes promises unapologetic passenger pampering and a “welcome home” feeling each time the door opens for the next drive.
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Ready To Video Conference
That means a “boardroom on wheels” for rear-seat passengers who only fly in business class, like to put their feet up and enjoy a comfy pillow for sleeping. But these C-suite riders also need to be connected, so they will need the dual 13.1-inch displays, two detachable MBUX remote controls, and integrated video conferencing while on the road.
Whoever is behind the wheel will have access to a state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Operating System supercomputer that powers “every domain” and integrates “all vehicle systems into one intelligent ecosystem,” connected to Stuttgart via the cloud for over-the-air updates, whenever necessary.
Too Much Screen Time?
This is the back-end technology, and hopefully the product planners have read the research very carefully finding many consumers growing tired of big screens and yearning for a simpler user experience that is less prone to glitches.
Maybe S-Class customers are different, but they will see a new standard MBUX Superscreen that debuted two years ago on the E-Class and now dominates the instrument panel, unlike the previous vertical tablet (pictured below) that floated in front of it. Take the infotainment tech for a spin, or use the MBUX Virtual Assistant with generative AI, or navigation provided by Google Maps. Mercedes promises it will all be intuitive.
Make It Truly Yours
Some of this stuff might be over the top — or perfect for the target audience — like the available heated seat belts, digital vent control, a powerful air filter with “Energizing Air Control,” illuminated standing Mercedes star on the hood, illuminated grille that is 20 percent larger and high-resolution micro-LED digital headlamps.
Now, if you can afford a 2027 Mercedes S-Class (pictured below), there’s a good chance you can spend a little more to make it truly yours and truly unique with the help of Stuttgart’s customization arm, MANUFAKTUR Made to Measure, which came into being in 2021 as the seventh-gen S-Class was launching.
Choose From 400 Interior Colors
You can consult with an expert to help you choose from more than 150 exterior paints and 400 interior colors — not to mention the interior materials options, illuminated door sills and wheel accents — to make your S-Class one of a kind. Kinda like how you might spec out your Bentley Bentayga or Rolls-Royce Spectre.
The Plug-In Hybrid Sedan With The Highest Electric Range In 2025
This plug-in hybrid may be underrated and expensive, but it offers the highest electric driving range for a plug-in hybrid sedan.
Does price really matter at this part of the market? For now, we only know how much the previous S-Class 4Matic cost, without all the new technology. The 2026 S500 started at $119,550, while the plug-in hybrid S 580e started at $130,400. Stepping up to the V8 in the S580 would set you back $130,700, to start. Don’t forget to tack on the $1,250 destination charge.
Source: Mercedes-Benz