2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid

How does the S-Class drive? If you're someone that likes to have your cake and eat it too, well, you've come to the right bakery. The S 580e combines Mercedes-Benz's super smooth turbocharged inline-six with an electric motor. The result eclipses both the power and torque of the V8-power S 580. We confirmed the S 580e's superior speed at our track, recording a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds, a few tenths quicker than the V8-powered car, and it maintained that lead through the quarter mile. And even though the hybrid outweighs the V8 model by about 600 pounds, it managed to outstop and outcorner its higher-cylinder sibling as well. What are they putting in those electrons these days?

The S 580e's generous and instant low-end torque means easy driving in every scenario and quiet passing power whenever you need it. The automatic transmission works quickly and near seamlessly to place you in the right gear at all times, as the transition between electric and gas power is almost imperceptible. We wouldn't expect such a large sedan to handle as well as this S-Class does, but the standard air suspension performs some real magic. It keeps the car composed around turns when you need it and lets it move and breathe freely when the road isn't perfect. Add the optional rear-axle steering to the mix and the improvements in high-speed stability and low-speed maneuverability almost feel like cheating.

How comfortable is the S-Class? The S-Class has built a reputation for being one of most comfortable vehicles on the road, and the S 580e plug-in hybrid is no different. The standard heated and massaging front seats are supremely comfortable, with supportive but soft cushions and tons of adjustability. Our test vehicle had a combination of packages that included power-adjustable, heated, ventilated and massaging rear seats with a footrest. It also had radiant heated armrests and four-zone climate control, making the rear seats just as comfortable as the front, if not more so.

The S-Class' typically vault-like cabin achieves a new level of quiet when it's running on electric power alone. And even when you've run out of battery juice and the engine kicks on, you'd be hard-pressed to notice that transition even with the sound system off. And it's not just the lack of noise from the hybrid powertrain; it's also how the S-Class is able to insulate you from the outside world as well. All manner of wind and road noise is hushed to the degree that you can have a whisper-quiet conversation even at highway speeds.

How’s the interior? The interior is stunning to look at, but using and operating all of the S-Class' vast number of features and tech can require a bit of a learning curve. Mercedes' MBUX infotainment system uses a large screen that houses controls for many of the car's features and reduces dedicated controls to things like volume adjustment. The menu system is deep, but it's intuitive and easy to use.

That large screen is well placed and easy to reach thanks to the S-Class' excellent driving position. It's relaxed and comfortable, but surprisingly good outward visibility means you always have a good sense of the car's sizable dimensions. And big it is. The large doors open to a massive cabin with acres of legroom, headroom and shoulder room.

How’s the storage? The S 580e plug-in hybrid is a big sedan but it ranks near the bottom in terms of cargo space. There's about half a cubic foot of trunk space less than in the standard S-Class, and that car is already stingy with space. Compared to the Porsche Panamera hybrid and its useful liftback trunk, the S-Class luggage accommodations are almost laughable. Thankfully storage in the cabin is far better. There are plenty of places up front for personal effects like phones, wallets, sunglasses or water bottles.

If you need to accommodate young kids, installing a car seat is relatively easy. The rear door openings provide a wide berth for maneuvering seats in and out, and moving the front seats forward allows plenty of space to access the middle seat if needed. The lower anchors are easy to access behind a leather flap, though we've seen more clever execution, and top tethers aren't any harder or easier to hook into than in other sedans.

Is the S-Class a good value? Few cars on the road today can offer the level of luxury and premium appointments as the S-Class. And now that the S 580e exists, it might just be the best version of the S-Class you can get. Just like other S-Classes, everything you touch or see in the S 580e feels like it's been carefully thought out and designed. The leather is soft, and the buttons have heft. It all feels rock-solid. But here's the kicker: The S 580e is actually cheaper than the S 580 by a few thousand dollars. So you not only get a more powerful and more efficient S-Class in the 580e, you pay a little less for it as well. There are few direct competitors to the S 580e, and putting aside the plug-in hybrid component, it still costs more than a non-hybrid equivalent from Audi, BMW or Lexus, but none offer the same polish or the do-it-all powertrain as this Benz.

The usual Mercedes warranty coverage applies, including a four-year/50,000-mile basic, powertrain and rust warranty, which is average for the class. The hybrid battery is covered for six years/62,000 miles (which is lower coverage than most). However, in some states (California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) this warranty is extended to 10 years/150,000 miles, which is better than average. Roadside assistance is offered for four years/50,000 miles but Mercedes-Benz doesn't provide any free maintenance.

The best luxury cruiser has been made even better as a part-time EV. Crank the sound system, soften the suspension and just fly around town. It's not sporty per se, but the hybrid turbo inline-six can and will leave a lot of V8s for dead if you ask it to. And the fact that it can also turn a corner without tripping over itself simply rounds out a very solid luxury package.

Mercedes-Benz's decision to go more familial across its vehicle line, however, means it looks no more special than a stretched-out C-Class (and maybe even then, not as good). It's far more conservatively styled than all of its rivals, and if you're spending this kind of coin, you probably want it to look a little less entry-level. Once you climb aboard, though, there's a lot more charm and flair (ooooh ambient lighting!) alongside that unrivaled tri-point-star luxury. Makes you feel like you're someone important, and who wouldn't like that?