Launched in 2013, the current Mercedes-Benz S-Class has brought many innovations to the market. It also arrived in dealerships as a sportier, yet more comfortable proposition to the previous-gen S-Class, being praised for its fantastic ride, effortless acceleration, and the enormous amount of luxury and tech. In 2013, it had no rival, but BMW launched a new 7 Series in 2016, while Cadillac joined the full-size segment with the CT6. As a result, Mercedes-Benz updated the S-Class for the 2018 model year.

Although it's safe to say that the outgoing S-Class was still competitive against its newer rivals, an update was necessary, especially in the tech department. That's not to say that the S-Class was outdated, it's just that Merc launched a range of new features with the latest E-Class, including semi-autonomous driving, that had to be offered in the top-of-the-line sedan too. Alongside the new tech, Mercedes also introduced a couple of new engines for the U.S. market and a new diesel for Europe. The facelift is rounded off by mild design upgrades and a revised model lineup.

Updated 10/06/2017: Mercedes announced prices for the new, 2018 S-Class. Check the "Prices" section for the full details.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2018 Mercedes S-Class.

Exterior

As with most facelifts, the revised S-Class is pretty much identical to the outgoing model. Changes are few and noticeable upon closer inspection only. Highlights include a redesigned grille, with six- and eight-cylinder models sporting three twin louvers and vertical strips in a high-gloss black finish.

There’s also a revised front bumper with larger intakes. Around back, there are new LED taillight clusters with crystal jewel-like appearance and a revised lower bumper with integrated tailpipe trim. The refresh is rounded off by two new 20-inch alloy wheel designs.

But despite the new S-Class being almost the old car from 2013, the German sedan is by no means dated when compared to the brand-new BMW 7 Series.

Exterior comparison previous and updates S-Class.

COMPETING DESIGNS

Launched for the 2017 model year, the latest-generation BMW 7 Series (left) is a significantly newer proposition. However, this doesn’t make the Bimmer much more appealing in terms of design. Due to its evolutionary styling, the 7 Series feels like a more comprehensive facelift to the previous generation model with an extra touch of sportiness. Somewhat aggressive for a full-size sedan, but also elegant thanks to its wide stance and mild creases, the 7 Series is a solid competitor for the S-Class, but doesn’t really stand out. Bottom line, it’s a matter of taste whether you go with the Bimmer or the Merc as both offer everything you’d expect from a large, premium sedan.

Then there’s the Cadillac CT6 (right), which in my opinion showcases a more unique design. Although not as sporty as its German rivals, it boasts that classic Cadillac flair with a high and simple beltline running from front to rear and massive front grille. All this is combined with styling cues first seen on the CTS and a long wheelbase that speaks volumes of its roomy interior. If you want a modern De Ville without with cheesy rear fender wings, the CT6 is the way to go.

Exterior Dimensions

Interior

This is where the S-Class received a bit more attention, as Mercedes-Benz updated the interior to include all the new tech it introduced with the recently unveiled E-Class. Visually, it remained unchanged save for the two new natural grain ash wood trim options, new brown tones, and three new upholstery color combinations: Silk Beige/Deep-Sea Blue, Magma Grey/Espresso Brown and Mahogany/Silk Beige.

A more important update is the addition of a new steering wheel with touch-sensitive buttons. The feature was launched with the E-Class as a world-first in the automotive industry and detects horizontal and vertical swipes just like the screen of a smartphone or tablet. This innovation allows the driver to control features of the infotainment system using only their thumbs, which improves safety behind the wheel.

The S-Class received the upgraded infotainment system with redesigned menus and functions, which also debuted on the E-Class. Alongside the 12.3-inch screen of the infotainment system, the full-size now includes an equally large display as an instrument cluster. In addition, the S-Class’ energy-saving LED interior is now be offered in 64 colors, yet another feature introduced with the smaller E-Class.

Finally, the sedan comes with the optional Drive Pilot, which can enable the S-Class to follow the car in front at speeds of up to 130 mph. The system uses automatic braking and accelerating, as well as the Steering Pilot to handle moderate bends. This feature makes make the S-Class a semi-autonomous vehicle, bringing it up to date compared to the BMW 7 Series.

Interior comparison previous and updates S-Class.

THE COMPETITION

While exterior looks are important, it’s inside the cabin where authentic luxury sedans are separated from the rest. And the new 7 Series (left) is definitely part of the elite. As you’d expect from a range-topping Bimmer, it’s available with the finest materials and trim ranging from genuine wood to aluminum. The panoramic roof is standard, while the intense Panoramic Sky Lounge LED roof is optional. Also optional is the Rear Executive Lounge Seating Package, which gives the right-side passenger the added comfort of a pop-out footrest and a seatback that reclines up to 42.5 degrees. Tech includes the iDrive 5.0 with touch display and Gesture Control, a removable seven-inch tablet for rear-seat occupants, and a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond sound system. It also comes with several driving assist features that turn it into a semi-autonomous car.

Although not as flamboyant as the S-Class, the CT6 (right) has everything it needs to give the competition a run for its money. Finished in typical Cadillac fashion, the cabin feels modern and clean and wrapped in all sorts of high-quality materials, including leather and Alcantara. Color choices vary from sober black to livelier brown and cream hues, and there’s a wide choice of trims to pick from. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen is fairly big but not as spectacular as the S-Class’ unit. On the other hand, Cadillac claims the CT6 has best-in-class storage room, and the 2.2-liter center console is a nice feature to have. The American sedan also comes with a quad-zone climate control system, a Bose audio system with no fewer than 34 speakers. The car’s ability to stream programs from sites like Hulu, Netflix and YouTube makes traveling in the rear seat a lot more entertaining.

Interior Dimensions

Drivetrain

The drivetrain department boasts more changes than any other area. Specifically, Mercedes-Benz just introduced two brand-new engines. The U.S. lineup will now include the S450, which uses a biturbo, 3.0-liter V-6 that cranks out 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Given that the outgoing lineup begins with the S550, the S450 will become the new entry-level model in North America. A 4Matic version with all-wheel drive will also be offered.

Speaking of the S550, it was replaced with the S560. Along with the name change comes with a new drivetrain, as Mercedes dropped the 4.7-liter V-8 in favor of the smaller, twin-turbo, 4.0-liter unit. Rated at 463 horses and 516 pound-feet, it's 14 horsepower more potent than the outgoing powerplant, but at the same time, it consumes about 10 percent less fuel than its predecessor.

To lower the fuel consumption, four cylinders of the new V-8 are deactivated simultaneously under partial load with the help of the CAMTRONIC valve-lift adjustment system. This reduces gas-cycle losses and enhances the overall efficiency of the four firing cylinders by shifting the operating point towards higher loads.

In Europe, the existing V-6 diesel was replaced by the company's new 3.0-liter inline-six. This new mill cranks out 282 horsepower and 443 pound-feet in the S350d (a 27-horsepower increase and 14-pound-foot decrease) and 335 horses and 516 pound-feet in the S400d. The latter is the most powerful diesel Mercedes-Benz ever.

COMPETING PERFORMANCE

7 Series engine.

Just like the S-Class, the 7 Series is powered by six- and eight-cylinder engines here in the U.S. The base 740i model uses a 3.0-liter inline-six that’s good for 320 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, while the 4.4-liter V-8 in the 750i generates 445 horses and 480 pound-feet. Needless to say, both of BMW’s units lag behind Merc’s when it comes to output.

CT6 engine.

Unlike the big German sedans, the Cadillac CT6 doesn’t have a V-8 yet. The range begins with an ultra efficient 2.0-liter four-cylinder, but to benefit from the extra mileage, you’ll have to settle for just 265 horsepower. More oomph comes from the larger, 3.6-liter V-6, which sends 335 horses to the wheels. Finally, the range-topping CT6 gets its juice from a twin-turbo, 3.0-liter V-6 rated at 400 horsepower. All three units seem underpowered, but the CT6’s architecture is significantly lighter, so the power-to-weight ratio is actually similar.

Prices

Pricing for the revised S-Class starts from $90,895, which makes the nameplate almost $5,000 more affordable than the outgoing model. But that's because there is a new base model with a V-6 engine. Add 4Matic all-wheel-drive and the sticker for the S450 version jumps to $93,895. Then there's the S560 4Matic, which costs $103,895 before options, which converts to a $5,245 premium over the S550 4Matic it replaces.

Opt for AMG Line and you need to pay an extra $5,900. The Premium Package costs $5,000, while the Magic Sky Control retails at $4,950. If you want the the Burmester high-end sound system, be prepared to pay an extra $6,400. There's also an Executive Rear Seat Package at $3,500, a rear-seat entertainment system at $2,650, and the Driver Assistance Package at $2,250.

Note: Prices include $995 delivery cost.

Options

COMPETING PRICES

Pricing for the 7 Series starts from $83,100, for which you get the 740i. Opt for the 740e iPerformance hybrid model and the sticker jumps to $90,700. The range-topping 750i goes for $99,400 before options. Adding xDrive all-wheel drive on any of the above will set you back a further $3,000. The Cadillac CT6, on the other hand, comes with a significantly more affordable sticker, retailing from only $54,790 in base trim and with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The Luxury retails from $59,690, while the Premium Luxury starts from $64,890. The range-topping Platinum model is the only version that comes close to Mercedes-Benz and BMW pricing at $84,790 before options.

Other Options

Audi A8

Redesigned for the 2018 model year, the Audi A8 is much newer than the S-Class. The comprehensive update brought the German flagship model in line with the rest of the Audi lineup, gaining more angular lines, a bigger grille, and an overall sportier stance, feature that debuted a couple of years ago on the latest-generation Q7. Much like the 7 Series, it’s an evolution of the outgoing model, but the design improvements are obvious all over the place. The cabin remained clean and subtle, but it feels classy and the tech package is impressive. Just like its rivals, it now features semi-autonomous technology. Various engine options are available globally, starting with a 3.0-liter V-6 rated at 340 horsepower. The bigger 4.0-liter V-8 cranks out an impressive 460 horsepower, but you also have two diesels to choose from. The 3.0 V-6 TDI comes with 286 horsepower, while the 4.0 V-8 TDI generates 435 horses. U.S. pricing is not yet available, but expect the new A8 to cost in excess of $80,000 in base trim.

Read our full review of the latest Audi A8.

Conclusion

A massive improvement over its predecessor, the current S-Class is arguably one of the best full-size luxury rigs on the market. It has an unparalleled blend of luxury and technology, incredible ride comfort, and an endless list of safety and entertainment features, which makes it pretty difficult to improve. Fortunately, Merc launched plenty of new tech with the new E-Class, and all of it went into this facelift. In addition to the new tech, the mild visual updates should keep S-Class fresh for three or four years.

References

Mercedes S-Class

Read our full review on the fifth generation Mercedes S-Class.

Read our full review on the fourth generation Mercedes S-Class.

Read our full review on the third generation Mercedes S-Class.

Read our full review on the second generation Mercedes S-Class.

Read our full review on the first generation Mercedes S-Class.