Mercedes-Benz S-Class review: Plug-in hybrid S-Class

Long a benchmark for luxury car indulgence, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class cannot escape the move towards electrification. This latest generation, introduced in 2020, is offered in two plug-in hybrid versions, the S 450e and S 580e 4Matic. Both have a smooth 3.0-litre petrol engine combined with a 150hp electric motor and a fairly large 22kWh battery. outcome? Up to 67 miles of pure electric running, and no range worries when the battery is low.

This adds to the stock of this amazing car even further. It helps businesses transport their executives around the city in a more sustainable way, getting them to the door of the next megabucks business deal with the possibility of zero city tailpipe emissions.

The rest of the S-Class is as good as ever. It handles beautifully with air suspension, and the S 580e 4Matic’s all-wheel drive means it won’t be bothered by irritants like winter weather. It has plenty of power and some of the more comfortable places to drive.

The interior is a luxury masterclass, with abundant Nappa leather, tactile trims and a customization program that lets you tailor the space to your dreams, both inside and out. While neon green leather may seem like a nightmare to some, it is just one of the countless options available to customers.

All that said, the S-Class Plug-in Hybrid does have its flaws. Needless to say, it’s extremely expensive, with prices starting at £111,000. The boot is also surprisingly compromised, with the high-voltage battery draining the overall capacity. This can lead to some embarrassing moments when picking people up at the airport when their luggage is being loaded. This version is also becoming slightly more popular now compared to younger, newer rivals.

But, overall, it’s still a high-class machine that’s made even better with its plug-in hybrid technology, providing celebrities and CEOs around the world with a richer sound than ever before.

How we tested

My introduction to the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class came during a filming day in Milton Keynes. It was fresh from winning the 2021 World Luxury Car Awards and, while I loved driving it, I wished I also had a driver…

Independent Rating: 8/10

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Specifications

Battery, range, charging, performance and drive

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class plug-in hybrid drivetrain is naturally on the niche end of things. The petrol engine is a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo, producing 299hp or 367hp. A 150hp electric motor and 22kWh battery has been added to it.

In the S 450e, this combines an electric range of 67 miles with a 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds. The more powerful S 580e 4Matic, which has all-wheel drive as standard and a more powerful engine, accelerates to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds, yet has an electric range of 63 miles.

In practice, it’s wonderful to experience either one. Refinement in pure electric mode is exceptional, and the petrol engine is hardly louder than when it’s on. Not only does this keep engine noise in check, but quiet wind and road noise also helps enhance the drive – or, as is often the case with the S-Class, the passenger ride.

The standard air suspension confidently clears potholes, and helps maintain a consistent speed even during more spirited drives. It also automatically reduces speed, increasing efficiency on motorways.

When it’s time to charge the battery, the powerful 60kW DC rapid-charge capability can charge it from 10-80 percent in just 20 minutes. It’s perfect for drivers who want to expand the electric potential of the S-Class Plug-in Hybrid. It also has an 11kW AC onboard charger, and will take about three and a half hours to charge at home via a 7.4kW wall box.

The accelerator pedal has a clever ‘haptic’ feature to help the driver stay in EV mode. There is a ‘pressure point’ in travel before the petrol engine kicks in, making it easier to maintain electric mode and utilize the full performance available in EV guise without having to fire up the engine. It’s a little weird at first, but works really well.

Interior, practicality and boot space

The interior of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a gorgeous place. The quality is superb, everything feels luxurious and luxurious – the ultra-soft Nappa leather fitted as standard really adds to the feeling of indulgence (special mention also to the pillow-soft headrest cushions). I also like the ambient lighting, which spreads around the cabin and makes it come alive at night.

These days, the S-Class is digital-first, with a portrait-oriented center screen replacing most of the physical buttons of older models. However, it’s quite intuitive to use, more so than some other setups. There are buttons on the steering wheel – dual rows on each side – but, sadly, they’re painfully touch-sensitive controls, which I couldn’t really work with.

Things are better behind. The S-Class now comes in ‘Long’ avatar as standard, with a longer wheelbase allowing even more legroom in the rear. It’s palatial back, and made even more comfortable by the standard-fit power-adjusted seats that are also heated and ventilated. With four-zone climate control, each passenger can create their own microclimate – or enjoy the refreshing outdoors through the sliding panoramic sunroof. Soft-close technology means they don’t even have to make effort to close the door – unless, of course, the driver fails to do so for them.

Step up to the AMG Line Premium Plus, and there’s the added luxury of front and rear heated arm rests, while the AMG Line Premium Plus Executive includes foot rests and passenger tables, rear sun blinds, a handheld tablet for rear passengers to control various functions, and even electric seatbelt feeders that keep belts in easy reach when you’re seated. A high-end rear seat entertainment package is available for £3,000, featuring dual 11.6-inch displays with TV, streaming services and a web browser, as well as wireless headphones.

Technology, Stereo and Infotainment

The 12.8-inch center infotainment screen is an OLED display with stunning clarity. It runs the MBUX software system, which is a pleasure to use. It’s both feature-packed yet not too intimidating to use, and it looks amazing. A 12.3-inch 3D driver display completes it, while the AMG Line Premium Plus also adds an augmented reality head-up display.

All S-Class models come with wireless smartphone charging at the front, with top-spec models extending it to the rear. There are no less than eight USB sockets throughout the cabin.

There’s clever tech galore, as you’d expect from a luxury range-topper. For example, all models have a standard fingerprint scanner. It provides quick access to personal data and payment options – facilitated by infotainment technology – and two fingerprints can be stored. It has geofencing, which sends a notification to the phone when the car enters or leaves a designated area, and it can also send speed limit warnings, letting you know when and where a pre-set speed was exceeded. You can imagine HR loves this.

All except the entry-level S-Class have ‘Digital Light’ headlights. Each lamp has over a million pixels, which can project the main beam up to 650 meters ahead. Cleverly, they can also display messages on the road, such as warning about tight turns, and even cautioning pedestrians.

As standard, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid features a stunning 15-speaker, 710W Burmester 3D sound system. It also uses an algorithm to help tailor the sound to your preferences, then stores it with your personal profile.

Prices and operating costs

It will come as no surprise that the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a very expensive car. Pricing for the S 450e Long AMG Line Premium starts at £111,685, while the S 580e 4Matic option costs more than £119,000. And if you want to dress it up as Mercedes-Benz allows, you can easily add another five-figure sum on top.

Where the S-Class plug-in hybrid will pay dividends is by cutting fuel costs. Instead of being a gas guzzling luxury limo, it is capable of traveling great distances in pure electric mode. If the day is spent mainly ferrying officers around town, the petrol engine may rarely fire up – and electric assistance will help make it more efficient, even for long haul runs to the airport.

Mind, there is no way to avoid Group 50 insurance. Servicing and maintenance costs will also be commensurate with the condition of the car – and I don’t know of any particularly cheap way to buy tires for those 20-inch wheels either.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Rivals

questions to ask

How long does it take to charge?

The fast 60kW DC rapid charging means the Mercedes-Benz S-Class can go from 10-80 percent in 20 minutes.

How much does it cost – is it worth it?

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is very expensive, especially in plug-in hybrid form. But then again, this is the S-Class of PHEVs…

Does Mercedes-Benz replace batteries for free?

All Mercedes-Benz S-Class PHEVs have a high-voltage battery certification that provides warranty cover of up to six years or 62,000 miles.

Why trust us?

Our team of motoring experts has decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are tailored with every type of driver in mind. We thoroughly test every car we recommend, so you can be sure our judgments are honest, fair and authentic.

Decision

I’m always impressed by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and it’s especially brilliant in plug-in hybrid form. The big battery gives a generous EV range and the creamy six-cylinder petrol engine means it remains great even when the battery dies. The interior is also excellent, and especially so for the rear passengers as all models now have long wheelbases as standard.