Mercedes-Benz S-Class Model Years and History

Although multiple online sources appear to list the 2026 S-class as a refresh, the official order guide documents suggest a carryover as it lists subtle enhancements to the packages and current design such as new leather colour availability, new wheel options like the 19-inch twin spoke wheels with black accents, and new exterior paint colors including China Blue Solid and MANUFAKTUR Kalahari Gold Magno. The redesign takes place for the European market in 2026.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class receives several updates to its feature lineup and packaging structure. Upgrades include a standard center airbag, pre-installation of digital vehicle key, and new Verde silver and Sonoran brown paint colors. New package options are plentiful and include the introduction of the pinnacle trim, AMG line, and four-zone climate control.

The Mercedes Benz S-Class carries over with minimal changes for 2024.

The Mercedes Benz S-Class adds a new S 580e hybrid model for 2023 but otherwise carries over with minimal changes.

After a redesign in 2021 the Mercedes Benz S-Class rolls into 2022 with minimal changes.

The Mercedes Benz S-Class is fully redesigned for 2021.

The Mercedes Benz have essentially left the S-Class alone for 2020.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class sees no major changes for the 2019 model year.

Mercedes-Benz seems intent on perfecting the S-Class lineup expanding and modernizing it without changing its overall appeal and status. Offered as the flagship sedan in Mercedes-Benz' lineup, the S-Class adds the S450 and S450 4MATIC this year for a more cost-effective option into the platform. The latest offerings are powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 available in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive for the 4Matic. The S560 previously equipped with a naturally aspirated 4.7L V8 now gets a twin-turbo 4.0L V8. The S-class also benefits from updated exterior fascias and grille packages, exterior lighting elements, an updated COMAND infotainment system, and more advanced driver-assist safety features bringing Level 2 autonomous-driving capabilities. If that weren't enough Mercedes is introducing a world-first feature called Energizing Comfort Control. The system promotes driver comfort and wellness by networking the vehicle's climate control, music, seat heating, massage programs, ambient lighting and air fragrances to aid the driver's overall wellness.

Mercedes-Benz seems intent on expanding the S-Class lineup as far as it will reach. Originally offered as the flagship sedan in Mercedes-Benz' lineup, the S-Class now comes in no fewer than four different body styles. The latest offering is an S-Class Cabriolet, with a soft top that can fold away in less than 20 seconds. The new S-Class Cabriolet is the marquee's first open-top flagship 4-seater since 1971. The car utilizes about 60 percent of the coupe's body components while benefitting from an aluminum rear floor. Pyrotechnically activated roll bars extend to protect occupants in the event of a rollover.

Following last year's introduction of the S-Class coupe, the 2016 S-Class adds a new model to the lineup in the form of a cabriolet -- the marquee's first open-top flagship 4-seater since 1971. The S550 Cabriolet is powered by a 449-horsepower V8 and is fitted with AIRMATIC semi-active air suspension. The car utilizes about 60 percent of the coupe's body components while benefitting from an aluminum rear floor. Pyrotechnically activated roll bars extend to protect occupants in the event of a rollover.

Mercedes is looking the bolster their S-class lineup for 2015 with several notable additions. The most exciting piece of news is the addition of a 2-door coupe to the lineup. The S-Class coupe features gorgeous styling and is available in S550 and S63 AMG guises. Also new for 2015 is the S600 version of the S-Class sedan. Featuring a twin-turbocharged V12 engine, the S600 caters to those who want pure luxury, but with V12 power.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is all-new for 2014--with a completely new look inside and out--although it's only slightly longer and wider than the previous generation. This new sixth generation of the S-Class introduces a number of new technologies, such as improved active-safety systems, and even a Magic Body Control feature that will 'read' the road ahead and smooth out the ride accordingly.

The Mercedes Benz S-Class is mostly unchanged; however for 2013 the Premium 2 option package is now standard across the board, meaning that optional items such as parking assist, a backup camera and massaging front seats are now standard.

The big news for 2012 is that a S350 BlueTEC diesel model becomes available. The S550 gets a 4.6L twin-turbo V8 engine that makes 429 horsepower and 516 lb-feet of torque. A rear-seat entertainment system is newly optional on the S400 hybrid and on the S63.

The big news in the S-Class is the addition of the S350 BlueTEC for 2011, which has standard all-wheel drive and 3.0L V6 turbo diesel engine that's certified in all 50 states. This is in addition to the S400 mild hybrid that was introduced last year. While the flagship S600 and S550 continue with few changes, the high-performance S63 AMG gets a larger 5.5-liter engine and the S65 AMG gets a horsepower boost. New technology for 2011 includes Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist, and one new paint color has been added to the palette: Magnetite Black.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has undergone some minor but highly anticipated design changes for 2010. For starters, the body-colored light strips that ran through the tail lamps have been replaced with LED lighting. Daytime LED running lights are now fitted into edges of the exterior front lamps, and the rear lights now have 52 distinctively arranged LEDs in the two taillights. LED lights last longer than HID headlamps and can project up to 1,000 feet without blinding oncoming traffic. There is also standard interior ambient LED lighting for 2010, with a choice of amber, neutral white and polar ice-blue color. On the outside, the grille is more pronounced and arrow-shaped, accented by and a new front contoured bumper and a chrome strip below the intakes. Exhaust tailpipes on all S-Class trims are now integrated into the rear bumper. Inside, the steering wheel has improved aesthetics and feel, while the rims and airbag modules throughout the dash are lined with soft premium leather as standard. The LCD center-console display can now act as a split screen, allowing, for example, the driver to view a GPS map while the passenger watches a video. Also new for 2010 is the introduction of the S400 Blue Hybrid. Using a compact and innovative 140-volt lithium battery, the S400 gets an estimated 19 miles per gallon in the city and 26 on the highway.

Steering-wheel shift paddles are now standard across the S-Class line, as are redesigned push-pull power-window controls. All models also get a new Brake Hold feature that makes uphill starts a little easier. V8 S550 models get increased standard equipment, including active ventilated-heated front seats, a wood-and-leather-trimmed steering wheel and a power trunk lid. Distronic Plus, the optional radar-based cruise-control system that maintains a set distance to vehicles ahead, now includes Blind Spot Assist, a feature that warns if a vehicle is in the blind spot if the turn signal is activated.

Following a complete redesign in 2007, the 2008 S-Class adds a second AMG version--the 6.3L V8-powered S63. Sirius satellite radio is now standard on the S550s. On the S65 AMG, the panorama sunroof moves from options list to the standards list, as do the multicontour massaging rear seats and Distronic adaptive cruise control. As usual, Mercedes-Benz' big flagship luxury sedan features leading-edge technology such as "smart" massaging seats, a night-vision system, and an advanced cruise control system.

Mercedes-Benz' S-Class has been completely redesigned for 2007. The big flagship luxury sedan grows slightly in all outward dimensions, and gets more power across the line. Leading-edge technology features include "smart" massaging seats, a night-vision system, and an advanced cruise control system. Late in the model year, an all-wheel-drive S550 4MATIC model joined the lineup, as did the S65 AMG. Gone are 2006 models the S350, S430 and S500.