2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

2019 is a carry-over year of the facelifted W222 generation (2014 start, facelift for MY2018). The volume S 450 4MATIC uses the 3.0L biturbo V6, with the V8 S 560 and the AMG and Maybach models above it.

The S 450's biturbo V6 makes 369 lb-ft from low rpm, which is ample for a flagship but well short of the V8 S 560.

The S 450 4MATIC reaches 60 mph in about 4.8 s, which is brisk for a 4,685 lb full-size luxury sedan. Sources disagree by a few tenths, so confidence is MEDIUM.

The biturbo V6 is smooth, quiet and has little lag, but reviewers find it less effortless than the S 560 V8. It also lacks the mild-hybrid smoothing of the later W223 inline-six, so it sits a step below the class benchmark.

The 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic shifts smoothly and almost imperceptibly in Comfort mode. It occasionally pauses before a kickdown but rarely hunts.

4MATIC all-wheel drive is available on the S 450 and S 560 and standard on the AMG S 63 and Maybach S 560. Rear-wheel drive versions (S 450, S 560, S 560e, AMG S 65, Maybach S 650) remain, so AWD is widely available rather than universal.

The 2019 US sedan range spans a V6 (S 450), a twin-turbo V8 (S 560, AMG S 63, Maybach S 560), a V12 (AMG S 65, Maybach S 650) and the S 560e plug-in hybrid, which was new for 2019. That is one of the broadest lineups in the class.

The EPA rates the volume 2019 S 450 4MATIC (3.0L biturbo V6, 9-speed) at 22 MPG combined.

The EPA city rating is 18 MPG for the 4MATIC car. The heavy platform and lack of hybrid assist weigh on stop-and-go efficiency.

The EPA highway rating is 28 MPG, which is respectable for a full-size flagship.

The EPA publishes no range figure for gas cars, so range is the tank size times 22 MPG combined. US-spec sources list a 21.1 gal (80 L) tank, but some overseas listings give 70 L, so confidence is MEDIUM.

fueleconomy.gov estimates $3,650 a year on premium gasoline at 15,000 miles per year, beyond the expensive end of the sedan band.

Every 2019 S-Class gas trim requires premium unleaded. The S 560e plug-in also runs on premium and has only 19 miles of electric range, so no trim avoids premium fuel.

NHTSA never crash-tested the 2019 S-Class sedan in either RWD or 4MATIC form, and no W222 year carries a rating to carry over, so the value is 0 (never rated) rather than an invented star count.

IIHS never published a crashworthiness battery for the W222 S-Class, and it earned no 2019 Top Safety Pick or TSP+ award. That is common for low-volume flagships, but with no independent crash data it cannot reach the award band, and the 2014-era structure predates the updated side and passenger small-overlap tests.

On the 2019 S 560 and S 450, Active Brake Assist (AEB with pedestrian detection), Blind Spot Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST and PRE-SAFE are standard. DISTRONIC adaptive cruise, Active Steering Assist and Active Lane Change Assist sit in the optional $2,250 Driver Assistance Package.

Standard Active Brake Assist uses radar plus a stereo camera to brake for vehicles and pedestrians. IIHS never tested the S-Class's system, so the score leans on Superior front-crash-prevention results for other Mercedes models of the same era that share this ADAS hardware generation.

Blind Spot Assist is standard, alert-only, and includes an exit warning. Active Blind Spot Assist, with braking intervention, and the cross-traffic functions come only with the optional Driver Assistance Package.

Lane Keeping Assist works by braking individual wheels. With the optional Driver Assistance Package, Active Steering Assist adds smooth, map-aware lane centering that reviewers rated among the better hands-on systems of 2018–2019.

With the Driver Assistance Package, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC gives full-range stop-and-go with extended restart, plus route-based speed adaptation for curves, junctions and speed limits. It is one of the most refined systems of its era, but it is optional rather than standard.

The 2019 US S-Class offered no hands-free mode: Active Steering Assist requires hands on the wheel, and DRIVE PILOT reached the US only on the MY2024 W223. Cadillac's Super Cruise was already on sale in the CT6.

The 2018 facelift (carried over for 2019) brought MULTIBEAM LED headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, giving strong adaptive lighting. IIHS never rated the W222's headlights, so the score rests on the hardware rather than a measured rating.

The long hood and thick C-pillars are typical of flagship sedans, but the large glasshouse gives decent forward and side views. A rearview camera and Parktronic are standard, while the surround-view camera comes in an option package.

The US S-Class sedan is sold only on the long wheelbase (V222). Its large rear doors and roughly 43 in of rear legroom make even rear-facing seats easy to fit. The outboard lower anchors sit behind covers in plush cushions, and the optional executive rear seats limit three-across use.

The 2019 S 450 sedan, a carry-over year of the facelifted long-wheelbase W222/V222, seats five as standard. The optional executive rear-seat packages reduce it to four.

Front headroom is generous for a sedan, even with the standard sunroof.

Front legroom is about average for a large sedan. The long wheelbase goes to the rear compartment.

The US market gets only the long-wheelbase body, which gives the rear seat generous headroom.

Rear legroom is limousine-grade, which is the point of the 124.6-in long wheelbase sold in the US.

The trunk is a usable size for a full-size sedan, with a power closer standard but only a ski pass-through in the rear seat. Sources disagree on the figure, so the KBB number is used, consistent with the 2020 scorecard.

A covered console bin, a rear armrest compartment and adequate door pockets cover everyday needs. Wireless charging and a rear-seat refrigerator are optional extras, and there is nothing inventive here.

Heated 16-way power front seats are standard, and the optional ventilated, massaging multi-contour fronts and executive rear seats are class benchmarks for long-distance comfort.

Standard AIRMATIC air suspension with adaptive damping gives a plush, controlled ride, and Magic Body Control is available on V8 models. This was the segment benchmark for ride.

Acoustic glazing and heavy insulation make the W222 one of the quietest sedans of its era, with little wind or tire noise at highway speed.

Heated front seats, dual-zone climate and soft-close doors are standard. Ventilated and massaging seats, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats and armrests, and power rear sunshades sit in the Premium and Warmth & Comfort packages, which holds back an otherwise rich set.

MY2019 is a carry-over year of the facelifted W222 (generation began 2014, facelift for MY2018). The US range opens with the rear-drive S 450 at $91,250 plus $995 destination, far above the $55K sedan band ceiling.

The S 450 4MATIC is the volume configuration, at $94,250 plus $995 destination. It was typically ordered with the Premium, Driver Assistance and Warmth & Comfort packages, which put it at about $103K–$108K.

This flagship German sedan sits at the top of the sedan maintenance range. Dealer Service A/B intervals, AIRMATIC air suspension and the biturbo engines make the years after the 4-year warranty expensive.

CarMax offers on 2019 S450s had a median of about $34,000 in 2024, when the car was five years old. That is roughly 33–36% of a $95K–$105K delivered price. The S-Class remains among the steepest-depreciating vehicles sold in the US.

The Mercedes-Benz New Vehicle Limited Warranty runs 4 years / 50,000 miles. That matches BMW and Audi and trails Genesis (5 yr / 60k).

Mercedes offers no separate, longer powertrain warranty. Coverage ends with the basic 4 yr / 50k term, below the 5-year band floor.

No scheduled maintenance is included at purchase. Owners get 24/7 Roadside Assistance for the warranty term and a Mercedes me connect trial. That falls short of the Genesis G90's included maintenance and BMW's 3-yr/36k Ultimate Care.

$105,000 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (35% retained, or about $36,750) leaves about $68,250 in depreciation. Add the projected $9,500 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $77,750 in total.

2019 is a carry-over year of the W222 generation, which launched in 2014 and was facelifted for MY2018. The volume S 450 4MATIC uses the 3.0L biturbo V6 and the 9G-TRONIC. As a sixth-year design it has shed its early bugs, but Consumer Reports still rated the W222 S-Class below average on predicted reliability, citing in-car electronics, AIRMATIC air suspension and power equipment, and J.D. Power put it around average. That is mixed-to-below-average and under the peer median (71.6). It sits a point below the run-out 2020 because the second post-facelift year carried more open campaigns.

In the 2018-2020 dependability studies, Mercedes-Benz sat below the industry average in J.D. Power's VDS and in the lower half of Consumer Reports' brand rankings, well behind Lexus and Porsche. It was consistently below average without being at the very bottom.

MY2019 carries more campaigns than the 2020 run-out year, several of them on safety systems. The volume S 450 4MATIC is covered by the driveshaft universal-joint recall (sudden loss of drive), seat-belt buckles that could stop the pretensioners firing, Active Brake Assist radar software, a hands-off-detection steering-assist fault, the roof-panel bonding fix, and three eCall/communication-module software campaigns. The V8 S 560 adds an oil-plug leak campaign (9,791 units) and a camshaft idler-gear defect. Each was fixed by software or a part swap and none is systemic, but the volume is at the low end of the typical band.

The S 450's M276 3.0L biturbo V6 is a mature engine family shared across the C-, E-, GLE- and S-Class with no systemic failure pattern, and the 9G-TRONIC is proven. Counting against it are the 4MATIC driveshaft universal-joint recall and, on the V8 S 560, the oil-plug and idler-gear campaigns, plus the complexity and costly upkeep of a twin-turbo engine. That keeps it mid-band, level with the 2020.

The facelifted W222 cabin was the class benchmark: Nappa leather, open-pore wood, metal switchgear, twin 12.3-inch widescreen displays and optional Burmester 3D audio. Reviewers called it the most luxurious interior in the segment.

Built at Sindelfingen in the generation's sixth year, the W222 had tight panel gaps and a hushed, rattle-free cabin by reviewer consensus. Owner complaints center on electronics and suspension rather than assembly. The roof-panel bonding campaign and a one-vehicle pillar-cover recall are the only body or trim campaigns.

With roughly 380 US dealers, Mercedes-Benz has one of the densest luxury networks, ahead of BMW and Audi, and flagship owners get loaners and concierge service at most stores. Service satisfaction is mid-pack among luxury brands, behind Lexus.

Out of warranty, the S-Class is among the costliest sedans to repair: AIRMATIC or Magic Body Control struts, the twin-turbo engines and the dense electronics are expensive and largely dealer-sourced. The W222's long production run does give it reasonable used and aftermarket parts supply, and a 2019 car is well past its 4-year/50,000-mile warranty.

The 2019 W222 has a large standard 12.3-inch central display, but it is not touch-sensitive and is operated by a console touchpad and rotary controller. Touch arrived with the W223's MBUX, consistent with the 2020 scorecard.

The COMAND graphics on the twin widescreens are sharp, but deep menus driven by a touchpad, rotary knob and steering-wheel pads feel dated and fiddly next to touchscreen rivals. Physical climate controls help.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the S 450 but wired only. Wireless projection came with the W223.

COMAND navigation is standard and well integrated with the 12.3-in display. LINGUATRONIC voice control is command-based, not natural-language like MBUX's 'Hey Mercedes'.

A Burmester surround system is standard, and the optional Burmester High-End 3D system is among the best factory audio systems on sale.

A configurable 12.3-inch digital driver display with selectable styles has been standard since the 2018 facelift. It is crisp but lacks the W223's 3D option.

The COMAND-era car gets online map data through Mercedes me connect, but vehicle and infotainment software updates require a dealer visit.

The Mercedes me app offers remote lock/unlock, locate, vehicle status and remote start or pre-entry climate, with a complimentary trial and a subscription afterward. There is no phone-as-key, and in-car Wi-Fi is an extra-cost option.

Ports are older USB-A plus 12V sockets, with no household AC outlet. Inductive wireless charging is fitted to many cars but appears to be package equipment for 2019 rather than standard.

Push-button start and a power trunk closer are standard, and app-based remote start is available. KEYLESS-GO proximity entry and Hands-Free Access to the trunk are optional for 2019; both became standard only for 2020, and there is no phone-as-key.

A rearview camera and PARKTRONIC are standard. The 360-degree camera and Active Parking Assist require the Premium Package; Active Parking Assist did not become standard until 2020.

A color head-up display is a factory option on the S 450. It is good but conventional, without the W223's augmented-reality projection.

The long-wheelbase body's 43 in of rear legroom and large rear doors make rear-facing car seats easy to fit, and outboard LATCH is provided. The 16.3 cu ft trunk takes a stroller, but there is only a pass-through, with no folding seat.

Standard automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist and drowsiness monitoring are a solid base. Neither NHTSA nor IIHS crash-tested the W222, and the full DISTRONIC/steering-assist suite costs extra.

Limousine rear legroom, a plush air-suspension ride, a very quiet cabin and Burmester audio make long trips easy. Rear heated seats, power rear sunshades, rear entertainment and reclining rear seats are optional, and the trunk is adequate for a family of four's luggage.

The smooth biturbo V6 and 9G-TRONIC and the AIRMATIC ride make traffic effortless, with optional DISTRONIC stop-and-go and steering assist. KBB notes the steering assist wanders on narrow roads.

At 22 MPG combined on premium fuel and about $3,650 a year in fuel, plus expensive tires and service, it is a costly commuter, though typical for a V6 flagship.

At 206.9 in long, with a 40.4 ft turning circle and no rear-axle steering, it is large for city streets. Sensors and a rear camera are standard, but the 360-degree camera and Active Parking Assist cost extra for 2019.

There is no US tow rating, and the sedan trunk with only a pass-through makes it unfit for real work duty.

Leather, wood trim and complex air suspension are built for luxury and are expensive to repair under hard use. Livery fleets use the S-Class only as chauffeur cars.

There is no factory hitch, no roof rails, no household outlet and no upfit ecosystem.

It is an outstanding mile-eater, with a quiet cabin, plush ride, superb seats and about 460 miles of range. The best adaptive cruise and steering assist cost extra and are not hands-free.

Available 4MATIC and AIRMATIC's raise function handle snow and gravel roads, but low ground clearance and the lack of a hitch or rack provisions keep it on pavement.

The 16.3 cu ft trunk fits normal luggage, but with only a ski pass-through and no roof rails or hitch, bulky gear does not fit.

It is planted and composed, with impressive body control for a car of about 4,550 lb, but tuned for comfort rather than agility. Rear-axle steering was not offered on the W222.

The steering is accurate and well weighted at speed but isolated and numb, as is typical for a comfort-tuned flagship.

The brakes are strong and progressive, with a smooth, easily modulated pedal suited to chauffeur-style stops. Stopping distances are reasonable for a heavy luxury sedan.

The 362 hp biturbo V6 has little lag and pairs smoothly with the 9G-TRONIC. Without the W223's integrated starter-generator, engine stop/start is slightly more noticeable.

The engine is near-silent at cruise and well isolated under load, though the V6 is less silken than the S 560's V8.

The 124.6-in long wheelbase gives a wide turning circle, and the W222 offered no rear-axle steering to offset it.

The 16-way power seat and power steering column give a superb adjustment range, and physical climate and switchgear controls are welcome. The COMAND touchpad/rotary input and column-mounted shifter take learning.

It is a satisfying, effortless cruiser but deliberately unemotional compared with the AMG versions, and it is not built for back roads.

The S 450 comes standard with dual 12.3-inch displays, Burmester audio, AIRMATIC suspension, LED headlamps and leather. Much of what defines the S-Class (the Driver Assistance Package, massaging seats, Magic Body Control, executive rear seating) sits in costly packages. The Genesis G90 and Lexus LS include more as standard.

Refinement and content lead the class, but at $92K–$105K-plus as equipped it costs more than a comparably specified 7 Series or LS. The ~$70K Genesis G90 offers most of the luxury for far less.

The sedan range is unusually broad: S 450 RWD/4MATIC, S 560 RWD/4MATIC, the S 560e plug-in hybrid (new for 2019), AMG S 63 and S 65 V12, and the Maybach S 560/S 650 above them. Coupe and cabriolet siblings and deep option lists add to it.

The S-Class remained the best-selling full-size luxury sedan in the US in 2019, ahead of the 7 Series, A8 and LS. Volume was declining, though, as the segment shrank and buyers moved to luxury SUVs such as the GLS.

The S-Class is the global benchmark luxury sedan and the flagship of one of the most aspirational brands. Its image stays strong even though resale value does not.

Flagship sedans in a shrinking segment typically sold several thousand below MSRP, with Mercedes lease support and loyalty offers. The deeper run-out discounting came with MY2020, the final W222 year.

MY2019 is the sixth year of the W222 generation (launched for 2014) and a carry-over from the MY2018 facelift, which brought the new engines and updated driver assistance. The all-new W223 followed for MY2021, so 2019 is late-cycle but not yet the run-out year.

Reviewers still ranked the facelifted W222 as the class benchmark for ride, refinement and cabin, usually ahead of the 7 Series, A8 and LS. Its COMAND infotainment was starting to feel dated against the new A8's MMI touch.