2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Review

Besides the expected array of features you'd expect to find in a luxury sedan of this caliber, the S-Class comes standard with 19-inch wheels, an adaptive air suspension, adaptive LED headlights and running lights, a panoramic sunroof, a power trunklid, 12-way power-adjustable and heated front seats with four-way power lumbar adjustment and memory functions, leather upholstery, MBTex simulated-leather interior trim, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a cabin air-purification and fragrance system, a power rear sunshade, two 12.3-inch display screens (for the instrument cluster and the COMAND electronics interface), a navigation system, two USB ports, HD and satellite radio, and a 13-speaker Burmester sound system. The S550e plug-in hybrid is equipped identically.

Key standard feature differences for the four-passenger S550 coupe are its 19-inch AMG sport wheels, sport exhaust, sport steering wheel and upgraded leather upholstery. The S550 convertible differs with its fully powered soft top, different 19-inch wheels, the Aircap pop-up wind deflector, keyless ignition and entry, a hands-free power trunklid, and heated and ventilated front seats.

Besides its V12 engine, the S600 adds the Magic Body Control adaptive and anticipatory suspension, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and intervention, a night-vision camera display, an automatic parking system, a surround-view parking camera system, upgraded leather interior trim throughout the cabin, heated and ventilated multicontour front seats (with adjustable and active side bolsters and six massage programs), heated armrests, the Executive Rear Seat package (heated four-way power outboard rear seats with memory functions, massage and a power right rear footrest), four-zone automatic climate control, power rear side sunshades, a dual-screen rear entertainment system (each has its own COMAND remote), and a 24-speaker Burmester surround-sound audio system.

All of the above extra features on the S600 are optional on the S550 sedan models within packages or as stand-alone items, and all but the extra backseat functions are available on the two-door body styles.

Additional options include Magic Sky Control (a panoramic sunroof with dimming glass tint), a refrigerator box for the rear, in-car Wi-Fi, and the Splitview COMAND screen that allows the driver and passenger to see different things.

The AMG S 63 has an exclusive performance V8 engine, plus special AMG tuning for the all-wheel-drive system, transmission, suspension, brakes and exhaust. To the S550's standard equipment, it comes standard with the heated and ventilated multicontour seats, upgraded leather, the automatic parking system and a special IWC analog clock in the dash.

The AMG S 65 is essentially fully loaded apart from the optional Executive Rear Seating package, Magic Sky Control and the Wi-Fi hot spot. Carbon-ceramic brakes are optional on both AMG trim levels.

The 2017 Mercedes S550 is powered by a turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 that produces 449 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard on every S550. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the S550 sedan and Cabriolet, while 4Matic all-wheel drive is standard on the coupe and optional on the sedan. In Edmunds testing, this base engine rocketed a S550 sedan from zero to 60 mph in a scant 4.9 seconds, while a coupe did it in 4.7 seconds. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 21 mpg combined (18 city/26 highway) for the S550 sedan, while opting for 4Matic or another body style results in a drop of 1 mpg in combined driving.

The S600 has a turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 that pumps out 523 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque. It has a seven-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. Mercedes estimates that it'll hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 16 mpg combined (13 city/22 highway).

The AMG S 63 has a turbo 5.5-liter V8 good for 577 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. Every version of it has a special AMG seven-speed automatic and 4Matic all-wheel drive standard. Mercedes estimates that the various AMG S 63 body styles should hit 60 mph in just under 4 seconds. EPA estimates for the sedan and coupe are 18 mpg combined (15 city/23 highway) and 17 mpg combined (14 city/22 highway) for the convertible.

The AMG S 65 has Mercedes' classic turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 good for 621 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. It also has AMG's seven-speed automatic, but because it is rear-wheel-drive only, its limited traction results in a slightly slower 0-60 time than the AMG S 63. Don't let that fool you; it will never feel slower. Its EPA fuel economy is 16 mpg combined (13 city/22 highway).

On the other end of the spectrum is the S550e plug-in hybrid that uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, an electric motor, a seven-speed automatic and lithium-ion battery pack to produce a total of 436 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. When its estimated all-electric range of 12 miles is depleted, it returns an estimated 26 mpg combined.