2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

384 lb-ft (S 500 4MATIC); 516 lb-ft S 580

2021 is the launch US model year of the W223 generation, and the volume S 500 4MATIC uses the 3.0L turbo inline-six with a 48V integrated starter-generator. The twin-turbo V8 S 580 and Maybach S 580 sit above it.

Torque

80/100

4.8 s est. (S 500 4MATIC, manufacturer); ~4.4 s S 580

The S 500's inline-six makes 384 lb-ft over a broad plateau, with additional short-term assist from the integrated starter-generator.

0–60 mph time

72/100

Mercedes quotes an estimated 4.8 s 0–60 mph for the 2021 S 500 4MATIC, which is quick for a full-size flagship weighing roughly 4,900 lb.

Powertrain refinement91

The mild-hybrid inline-six is a segment benchmark for smoothness. The integrated starter-generator hides engine stop/start and fills low-rev torque gaps, so power delivery is seamless and on a par with or ahead of the 7 Series and LS.

Transmission behavior86

The 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic shifts almost imperceptibly in Comfort and kicks down decisively. It is tuned for smoothness rather than sporting crispness and rarely hunts.

AWD/4WD availability92

Powertrain lineup breadth62

4MATIC all-wheel drive is standard on every 2021 US S-Class sedan, and rear-axle steering of up to 10 degrees is available.

24 MPG combined (S 500 4MATIC); ~20 MPG S 580 V8

The 2021 launch-year US range offers two engines: the mild-hybrid I6 S 500 and the twin-turbo V8 S 580, which also powers the Maybach S 580. The Maybach S 680 V12, the S 580e plug-in hybrid and the AMG S 63 E Performance had not yet arrived.

2Efficiency & RangeOne of the S-Class's weakest categories.0.00F

Combined fuel economy

25/100

20 MPG city (S 500 4MATIC)

The EPA rates the volume 2021 S 500 4MATIC (3.0L turbo I6 with a 48V mild hybrid) at 24 MPG combined, which is typical for a full-size luxury sedan.

City fuel economy

18/100

29 MPG highway (S 500 4MATIC)

The EPA city rating is 20 MPG, one below the 2022 rating. Mild-hybrid assist helps, but the heavy AWD platform limits stop-and-go efficiency.

Highway fuel economy

24/100

~480 mi (20.0 gal × 24 MPG combined, S 500 4MATIC)

The EPA highway rating is 29 MPG, which is solid for a flagship sedan of roughly 4,900 lb.

Driving range

51/100

Estimated annual fuel cost

The EPA publishes no range figure for gas cars, so range is the tank size times 24 MPG combined. Mercedes-Benz USA lists a 20.0 gal tank, while metric-market pages list 65 L and some US dealer listings claim 22.2 gal, so confidence is MEDIUM.

$3,350/yr (S 500 4MATIC, premium, EPA 15k mi/yr)

fueleconomy.gov estimates $3,350 a year on premium gasoline at 15,000 miles per year, which is at the expensive end for a sedan.

Fuel requirements35

5 stars (inferred — NHTSA lists the 2021 S-Class sedan as Not Rated)

Every 2021 S-Class trim requires premium unleaded, and there is no regular-fuel, diesel or plug-in option this model year.

3SafetyThe S-Class's best-graded category.3.69A-

NHTSA overall rating

IIHS awards & crashworthiness70

NHTSA never crash-tested the W223 S-Class, which launched in the US for the 2021 model year (S 500 4MATIC, S 580 4MATIC). The 5-star figure is inferred from the flagship's structure and standard restraint tech (PRE-SAFE Impulse Side, available rear airbags), matching how the 2022–2026 cards treat the same generation.

Standard ADAS suite breadth90

IIHS has not published a crashworthiness battery for the W223 S-Class, and the car does not appear on the 2021 Top Safety Pick or TSP+ lists — typical for low-volume flagships. Tested Mercedes sedans of the period earned Good results, but with no published slate the S-Class cannot reach the award band.

Automatic emergency braking performance85

The 2021 US S-Class (S 500 4MATIC, S 580 4MATIC) comes with the Driver Assistance Package standard: DISTRONIC adaptive cruise, Active Steering Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic and turning functions, and PRE-SAFE PLUS.

Blind-spot & cross-traffic coverage90

Standard Active Brake Assist uses a stereo camera and multiple radars to detect vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, with cross-traffic and turning functions. IIHS has not tested the W223, so the score leans on strong front-crash-prevention results from Mercedes models sharing the sensor suite.

Lane keeping & centering90

Active Blind Spot Assist with braking intervention, a rear cross-traffic function and an occupant exit warning are part of the standard Driver Assistance Package, so coverage is active rather than alert-only on every trim.

Adaptive cruise & highway assist92

Standard Active Steering Assist uses map data to anticipate curves and was praised by W223 launch reviewers as smooth with no ping-ponging; Active Lane Change Assist completes signaled lane changes on its own.

Hands-free driving availability25

Standard DISTRONIC is a full-speed adaptive cruise with stop-and-go and route-based speed adaptation for limits, curves and junctions; paired with Active Steering Assist it is one of the most refined highway-assist combinations in the luxury class.

No hands-free or eyes-off option was offered on the 2021 US S-Class: DRIVE PILOT (Level 3) launched in Germany only and reached the US with the 2024 model year, and Active Steering Assist requires hands on the wheel. Cadillac's Super Cruise was already available to rivals.

Headlight performance92

Multibeam LED headlights with Adaptive Highbeam Assist are standard, with DIGITAL LIGHT (about 1.3 million micromirrors per lamp) available. IIHS has not rated the W223's headlights, but the hardware leads the class.

Outward visibility80

Child-seat (LATCH) usability78

The long hood, high beltline and thick rear pillars limit natural sightlines, as on most flagship sedans, but standard surround-view cameras, front and rear parking sensors and available rear-axle steering compensate well.

5 seats (optional Executive Rear Seat packages reduce to 4)

The US S-Class is sold only as the long-wheelbase sedan, whose large rear doors and generous legroom make rear-facing seats easy to fit. Outboard lower anchors sit behind covers, and the optional executive rear seats make three-across harder.

4Space & ComfortOne of the S-Class's strongest categories.3.63A-

Seating capacity

The 2021 S 500 4MATIC is a five-passenger sedan as standard. The optional executive rear-seat packages make it a four-seater.

Front headroom

42.1 in

Front headroom is very generous for a sedan. 2021 is the launch year of the W223 generation.

Front legroom

41.7 in

43/100

Front legroom is about average for a large sedan.

Rear headroom

39.4 in

43.8 in (126.6 in long wheelbase)

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

Rear legroom

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Rear legroom is limousine-grade, which is the point of the US-market long wheelbase.

Cargo/trunk volume

12.9 cu ft (SAE)

29/100

The trunk is small for a full-size sedan, and the rear seatback has only a pass-through. A power trunk lid is fitted.

In-cabin storage & clever solutions72

The car has a covered console, front and rear wireless charging pads and decent door bins, plus optional rear console and folding-table packages, but no standout storage innovation.

Seat comfort92

Heated, ventilated and massaging front seats and the optional reclining executive rear seats are class benchmarks.

Ride quality95

Standard AIRMATIC air suspension with adaptive damping gives a plush, controlled ride that leads the segment.

Cabin quietness92

Climate & comfort features84

Acoustic glazing and heavy insulation make the 2021 W223 one of the quietest cars on sale.

$110,850 (S 500 4MATIC, $109,800 + $1,050 destination)

Heated, ventilated and massaging front seats and four-zone climate are standard or available. The heated steering wheel and heated rear seats need the optional Warmth & Comfort Package for 2021.

5Cost of OwnershipThe S-Class's lowest-graded category.0.00F

Base MSRP

~$124,000 (S 580 4MATIC as typically equipped; $117,350 delivered base)

The new W223 S-Class went on sale in the US for MY2021 starting with the S 500 4MATIC (mild-hybrid turbo inline-six, AWD only) at $109,800 plus $1,050 destination. That is far above the $55K sedan band ceiling.

Volume-Trim Price

5-Year Maintenance & Repair Cost

The S 580 4MATIC (twin-turbo V8 with EQ Boost) was the volume launch trim at $116,300 plus $1,050 destination, typically ordered with Warmth & Comfort, Driver Assistance and rear-seat packages to roughly $122K–$127K. No PHEV or AMG S-Class was sold in the US for 2021.

~$9,500 over 5 years

5-Year Resale Value Retention

Flagship German sedans sit at the top of the sedan maintenance range. Dealer Service A/B visits, AIRMATIC air suspension, rear-axle steering and dense first-year-of-generation electronics make years 4–5, after the 4-year warranty ends, expensive.

~42% of MSRP retained after 5 years (estimates range ~38–53%)

23/100

4 yr / 50,000 mi bumper-to-bumper

A 2021 S 580 4MATIC, now about five years old, values around $51K–$55K private party, roughly 42–46% of its delivered price as typically optioned. The S-Class remains one of the steepest-depreciating vehicles in the US.

Basic warranty

50/100

4 yr / 50,000 mi (no separate powertrain term)

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

Powertrain warranty

Complimentary maintenance & perks55

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

Effective 5-Year Ownership Cost

There is no complimentary scheduled maintenance at purchase. Owners get roadside assistance for the warranty term and a Mercedes me connect trial, short of the included-maintenance programs from Genesis (G90) and Lexus.

$81,420 (≈$71,920 depreciation + $9,500 maintenance)

$124,000 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (42% retained, or about $52,080) leaves about $71,920 in depreciation. Add the projected $9,500 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $81,420 in total.

6Reliability & QualityMid-pack among this car's ten categories.2.18C

Predicted reliability54

Brand reliability track record58

2021 is the launch model year of the W223 generation in the US (S 500 4MATIC and S 580 4MATIC). First-year cars of an all-new, electronics-dense flagship carry the most risk, and early W223 owner complaints focus on MBUX software, 48V mild-hybrid electrics and body electronics. The 2021 recall count is the highest of any W223 year. Neither Consumer Reports nor J.D. Power publishes a public model-specific figure, so this score is below the 2022 car (60) and well under the peer median (71.6).

Mercedes-Benz consistently ranks below the industry average in J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study and sits in the lower half of Consumer Reports' brand rankings, far behind Lexus. It is consistently below average without being at the very bottom.

Recall & TSB history42

Powertrain durability reputation73

MY2021 carries 15 W223-specific NHTSA campaigns, more than any later W223 year, and several touch safety systems. They include two passenger-airbag campaigns (control-unit software that can deactivate the airbag, and an improperly secured control unit), engine-stall campaigns on the S 580 (ECU software and a fuel-tank suction jet pump), the broad fuel-pump campaign, front brake hose rupture, and Camtronic ECU failure. Many are small or software-only, but the volume and safety relevance put this year at the bottom of the typical band.

Interior material quality95

The volume S 500 4MATIC uses the M256 3.0L turbo inline-six with 48V EQ Boost and the proven 9G-Tronic transmission. That engine has been in production since 2018 with no widespread failure pattern, and the S 580's M177 V8 is mature. First-year fuel-delivery and engine-software campaigns (fuel pump, suction jet pump, ECU stall, Camtronic) and the complexity of the 48V ISG keep this year slightly below later W223 cars.

The W223 launched with the benchmark full-size luxury cabin: Nappa leather, open-pore wood, metal trim, active ambient lighting, a 12.8-inch OLED center screen and Burmester audio. Reviewers placed it at or near the top of its class.

Fit & finish82

Dealer & service network80

Factory 56 in Sindelfingen delivers tight panel gaps and a solid, premium feel, and W223 complaints center on software rather than physical assembly. A few launch-year assembly slips keep it just below later years: an improperly secured airbag control unit, a fixed glass panel, an engine-bay bulkhead and a steering-column connector, each limited to a handful of cars.

Parts availability & repair cost40

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

12.8 in OLED portrait center display

Out of warranty, the S-Class is among the costliest sedans to repair. AIRMATIC air suspension, rear-axle steering, 48V ISG electronics, OLED displays and many ECUs are largely dealer-only parts at flagship prices, and aftermarket support for the W223 is thin. A 2021 car is now past its 4-year/50,000-mile factory warranty.

7Technology & InfotainmentOne of the S-Class's strongest categories.3.69A-

Touchscreen size

68/100

Infotainment UX & responsiveness82

A 12.8-inch OLED portrait touchscreen is standard on the 2021 S 500 and S 580.

Wireless CarPlay / Android Auto90

The launch-year second-generation MBUX is fast, graphically rich and very comprehensive. Climate controls buried in the touchscreen and the haptic steering-wheel pads draw criticism.

Voice control & native navigation88

Second-generation MBUX on the W223 offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration as standard from the 2021 launch.

"Hey Mercedes" handles natural-language commands well, and standard MBUX navigation includes augmented-reality video guidance.

Audio system quality93

Digital instrument cluster90

Burmester 3D surround is standard, and the optional Burmester 4D High-End system is among the best in any car.

A 12.3-inch digital driver display is standard, and a 3D cluster with eye tracking is available.

OTA update capability78

Companion app & remote functions75

MBUX receives over-the-air updates to software, maps and some ECUs, and features can be bought through the Mercedes me Store. 2021 cars use the LTE module.

Charging ports & device power84

The Mercedes me app offers remote start, lock, locate and climate. There is no smartphone digital key for 2021, and services need a subscription after the trial.

Keyless & remote access82

USB-C ports in both rows and wireless charging pads front and rear, but no household AC outlet.

KEYLESS-GO, remote start via the app, push-button start and a power trunk are standard or widely fitted. Phone-as-key was not offered for 2021.

Camera & parking aids88

Head-up display availability84

A 360-degree camera is standard, and PARKTRONIC and Active Parking Assist with good image quality are offered.

Kid & car-seat practicality74

The augmented-reality HUD is class-leading but optional on the S 500.

8Use-Case FitOne of the S-Class's weakest categories.1.77C-

Huge rear legroom, wide rear doors and outboard LATCH make car seats easy to fit, but the 12.9 cu ft trunk is small for strollers.

Family safety package82

Family road-trip comfort85

A full driver-assistance suite and rear-seat airbags are fitted, but there are no NHTSA or IIHS crash results for the 2021 S-Class.

Superb rear seats, ride and quiet make long trips easy. Rear-seat heating, the heated wheel and rear entertainment cost extra, and the trunk is modest for family luggage.

Daily driving ease86

Commuting cost efficiency49

A smooth mild-hybrid powertrain, AIRMATIC and DISTRONIC with Active Steering Assist make traffic effortless. No hands-free system was offered for 2021.

Parking & maneuverability64

24 MPG combined on premium fuel and costly consumables make this an expensive commuter, though about average for a flagship sedan.

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At 208.2 in long with a roughly 42 ft turning circle without the optional rear-axle steering, it is large in town. The standard surround-view cameras and the optional 10° rear steer help.

Work capability13

There is no US tow rating, and the small trunk and fixed seatback make it unfit for work duty.

Durability for work duty20

Jobsite & upfit practicality12

Delicate leather, wood trim and complex air suspension are built for luxury and costly under hard use.

Long-distance comfort & range88

There is no factory hitch, no roof rails, no AC outlets and no upfit provisions.

Outdoor & adventure capability44

An outstanding mile-eater: quiet cabin, plush ride, top seats, strong standard ADAS and about 480 miles of range.

Gear & luggage flexibility38

Standard 4MATIC and AIRMATIC lift handle snow and gravel roads, but the low ground clearance and the lack of a tow rating or roof rails keep it on pavement.

The 12.9 cu ft trunk has only a pass-through, with no folding rear seats and no rails.

9Driving ExperienceGrades above the middle of the scale.2.76B-

Handling & agility72

Composed and planted, with good body control, but tuned for comfort over agility. Optional rear-axle steering of up to 10 degrees sharpens it.

Steering feel63

Precise but numb and isolated, as is typical for flagships.

Braking confidence78

Powertrain smoothness & response88

Strong, linear brakes with short stops for a car weighing about 4,600 lb.

Drivetrain noise & vibration90

The 429 hp turbo inline-six with the EQ Boost integrated starter-generator delivers seamless stop/start, and the 9G-TRONIC shifts smoothly.

41.9 ft (S 500 4MATIC without rear-axle steering; optional 4.5°/10° rear steer cuts it substantially)

The powertrain is near-silent at cruise and refined under load.

Turning circle

Driving position & ergonomics81

The long US-spec wheelbase gives a wide turning circle unless the optional rear-axle steering is fitted.

Superb seat adjustability and sightlines, marred by touchscreen-only climate controls and haptic steering-wheel pads.

Fun-to-drive factor62

Standard equipment generosity72

A brilliant cruiser, but deliberately unemotional behind the wheel.

10Value & Market PositionGrades above the middle of the scale.3.17B

Feature value per dollar64

The 2021 S 500 4MATIC includes 4MATIC AWD, AIRMATIC air suspension, the 12.8-in OLED MBUX center screen, a 12.3-in digital cluster, leather, Burmester 3D audio, a panoramic roof and the core ADAS suite. The Driver Assistance package, rear-seat comfort upgrades, AR head-up display and rear-axle steering cost extra, which is competitive with the A8 and 7 Series but short of a loaded-base Genesis G90.

Trim & configuration breadth72

At $110,850 (S 500) to $117,350 (S 580) delivered before options, the 2021 S-Class delivers benchmark refinement and tech but not bargain content. The Lexus LS and Genesis G90 offer much of the experience for far less, so this is fair value for the class leader rather than a deal.

Sales popularity & market acceptance76

The 2021 US W223 launch lineup was the S 500 4MATIC (mild-hybrid I6) and S 580 4MATIC (mild-hybrid V8), with the Mercedes-Maybach S 580 above them. There was no PHEV, no AMG S 63 and no V12 yet, and every US car is long-wheelbase AWD, so the range is narrower than later years despite deep option packages.

Brand desirability & image95

The W223 reached US showrooms in spring 2021 and quickly reclaimed its place as the best-selling traditional full-size luxury sedan, ahead of the 7 Series, A8, LS and G90. A short launch year, overlap with W222 run-out stock and chip-shortage supply capped volume, and the segment keeps shrinking toward luxury SUVs.

Deals & incentive availability52

'S-Class' is shorthand for the pinnacle of luxury sedans, and the three-pointed-star flagship carries unmatched executive prestige. Only Rolls-Royce and Bentley outrank it on image.

The all-new 2021 W223 launched into the semiconductor-shortage market with thin inventory, so early cars commonly sold at or near MSRP. Discounts were mostly limited to Mercedes-Benz Financial lease and loyalty offers, while outgoing W222 run-out stock carried the real deals.

Model freshness90

Critical reception & awards90

MY2021 is the first US model year of the all-new seventh-generation W223 (unveiled September 2020), with the newest MBUX OLED interface, AR head-up display, EQ Boost mild hybrids, rear-axle steering and novel rear-seat airbags. A buyer gets the freshest platform in the segment, with no redesign in prospect.