Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2021 Review – Australia

Pricing for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 450 4MATIC model that’s the only powertrain variant available for the local launch has jumped to $240,700 plus on-road costs for the standard-wheelbase model, and $264,900 for the long-wheelbase version.

Will buyers stump up nearly $26,000 more for a long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz S-Class powered by a turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol engine?

That’s the price increase for the Mercedes S 450 L 4MATIC in the new W223 generation, versus the superseded rear-wheel drive model also powered by a turbocharged inline six.

Unlike sports cars, the S-Class sales rate typically remains steady right across the car’s entire model life, we’re told. Buyers reportedly trade their older models for a brand-new car from the same generation, even in the last year of its model life.

A full and exhaustive list of standard features would fill a book, but some of the key features include advanced satellite navigation, a head-up display with ‘augmented reality’, Nappa leather-bound multifunction steering wheel, powered panoramic sunroof, Mercedes me Connect app, a 15-speaker Burmester surround-sound audio system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, heated/cooled front seats, fingerprint scanner, automatic soft-closing doors and air suspension.

Nothing exceeds like excess for the stretched S 450 L, which also comes with electrically-adjustable rear seats and memory function, plus four-zone climate control.

A new feature developed for the W223 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the rear seat airbags, which deploy from the rear of the front seats.

According to Mercedes-Benz Australia, the company’s seatbelt airbags were not as effective as originally anticipated, because some passengers in the rear were not bothering to fasten their belts.

Although the rear airbags are not as effective for passengers not wearing seatbelts, they will deploy in a crash and offer some protection. They’re standard for the long-wheelbase S-Class.

Also new to the S-Class is the centre airbag up front, which deploys from the side of the driver’s seat to reduce the prospect of the driver and front passenger knocking heads in a smash.

Other standard safety features across the range include a driving assistance package, traffic sign assist and multi-beam LED headlights with auto high-beam assist.

The driving assistance package comprises distance assist Distronic, route-based speed adaptation, evasive steering assist, active stop-and-go assist and active lane-change assist.

Not a safety feature, per se, but an additional element of the package is extended automatic restart in traffic.

Many Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts fondly recall the 2.8-litre DOHC inline six-cylinder from the dim recesses of the company’s past.

The turbocharged six in the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a modern-day successor, but it doesn’t deliver the same charisma as BMW’s ‘TwinPower’ six.

However, the Mercedes engine is quite muscular, and it willingly revs to the 6500rpm redline, also providing an appropriate balance of performance and fuel efficiency.

That’s a consequence of coupling the engine to the nine-speed automatic transmission as well. This is as smooth as any modern automatic transmission can be, but also adapts very quickly to driver input, particularly in Sport or Sport+ modes. It does keep the engine on the boil.

The car-maker claims a 0-100km/h time of 5.1 seconds for the Mercedes-Benz S 450. That time essentially places the S 450 in the V8 league, but the large sedan does struggle with its weight, despite the factory’s engineers paring back the weight of the new model’s body.

On paper the S 450 may be a V8 surrogate, but behind the wheel it feels more like what it is: a large vehicle powered by a 3.0-litre engine, turbocharged or not. Performance fans will need to wait for the V8-engined S 580 arriving later this year.

Over the course of the drive for the local launch, the S 450 posted fuel consumption figures above 11.0L/100km after some exuberant driving, but finished the day at 9.5L/100km. That’s a reasonable figure for such a large car, which also had to negotiate heavy traffic congestion over the last half hour of the test program.

The engine is very docile in gentler driving, as one would expect from anything under the bonnet of an S-Class Mercedes. Its torque peak is all across the mid-range, for a relaxing drive, whether its touring at open-road speeds or hauling away from traffic lights around town.

Complementing the masterful noise suppression, the idle-stop system reacts at lightning speed to the driver lifting the foot off the brake, yet the engine also restarts with an almost supernatural smoothness.

But this is an engine that won’t send shivers up your spine. There’s nothing wrong with the Benz six, it’s just that it won’t thrill enthusiast drivers to the same extent a turbocharged BMW six will – or even the turbo V6 in the Lexus LS 500.

Limousines have come a long way, dynamically. Once upon a time, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class had the field all to itself for cornering ability and braking, but these days it faces competition from every quarter, including Japan.

Nevertheless, the S 450 L – yes, the long-wheelbase model even – can be flung around with some abandon if the driver is a closet hoon.

In Sport mode the Mercedes turns in with surprising precision and really feels planted at the apex. Lift off the accelerator and the chassis lets you know it’s ready for some fun.

But even in Sport mode, the S 450 rides like a big limousine. The suspension setting in Comfort mode is tuned for soft damping, yet the S-Class still feels settled when it’s being punted along winding country roads.

The S 450 is very quiet inside at all times. Rumbling from the Bridgestone tyres meeting the road surface penetrate the cabin through the sunroof, but it’s definitely not the level of noise to have you shouting at family or customers riding in the back.

Seating is naturally very cushy wherever you’re sitting in the car, but the driver’s seat also holds you in place securely and is an outstanding complement to the car’s passive dynamics.

But it’s the audio and visual assault on the senses that will overwhelm the driver the first time they take a seat behind the wheel.

The ‘3D’ effect for the instrument cluster is mind-blowing. It literally has to be seen to be believed. Not only does it look spectacular, but the presentation changes on the fly if you tilt your head to left or right.

And the augmented reality facility is a great enhancement for the satellite navigation display in the head-up display (HUD). Even if you’re having a bad day and the voice prompts go over your head, this system will absolutely keep you on track.

There are so many high-tech functions to mention at this point, including the camera that stares at your face to check for signs of fatigue, but also decides which mirror you want to adjust, simply by your eyes observing that mirror.

The whole user interface experience in the S-Class may be just a tad over-reactive or over-sensitive to the driver’s ‘needs’, with the reviewer’s chauffeur for the trip home accidentally enabling the speed limiter in heavy traffic – and consequently thinking the car had gone into ‘limp-home’ mode when it wouldn’t accelerate above 24km/h on the freeway.

But that’s a problem for first-time users. Spend a while in the S 450 and it will all become second nature in next to no time.

Dare we bother discussing accommodation? There’s so much headroom and legroom in the rear, even an NBA basketballer will be able to stretch out.

Back in 2000, the then-current W220 series of Mercedes-Benz S-Class posted 660 sales in Australia.

Last year, in the midst of a global pandemic admittedly, sales of the now-superseded W222 series sold 163 units – nearly 500 units fewer.

That’s a reflection of the impact large luxury SUVs have had in the local market.

But it’s no reflection on the quality of the car itself. The W222 series was a well-respected car, and its successor has raised the bar again.

It’s no SUV, but the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a paragon of design and engineering virtue – provided you have the disposable income for admission to this exclusive club.

How much does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 450 4MATIC cost?
Price: $240,700 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 270kW/500Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 187g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested