2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

To paraphrase a comical oligarch with a tiny giraffe in an old TV commercial, "Opulence, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has it." (Google "opulence, I has it" if you must know.) This grand sedan is a showcase for nearly every luxury, technology and performance innovation that Mercedes-Benz has concocted. Everything you touch inside is likely covered in leather, heated or bathed in disco-worthy ambient light. The screens are large and beautiful; the Burmester sound systems fit for a maestro. The plug-in hybrid powertrains either wow with their range or absurd power output. No matter which S-Class models you look at, opulence will be included. And we're not even mentioning the uber-opulent Mercedes-Maybach S 680 that we review separately.

The 2025 S-Class offers two very different plug-in hybrid powertrains. The first, the S 580e, is more of the traditional variety in terms of system layout but greatly exceeds the traditional expectations for power (it'll hit 60 mph quicker than the V8-powered S 580) and range (we managed to go 51 miles on a single charge). That it costs less than the S 580 really seals the deal. Then there's the AMG S 63 E Performance, which has a smaller battery pack and therefore less range. Its goal is absurd performance, however, with a total system output of 791 horsepower and, gulp, 1,055 lb-ft of torque. These two versions represent the 2025 S-Class at its most competitive and distinctive.

There are a decent number of flagship luxury sedans to pick from these days thanks to introductions of all-electric models, including the BMW i7, Lucid Air and Mercedes' own EQS. The BMW 7 Series is the closest to the S-Class in terms of model/powertrain lineup and overall concept — it's become less sporty over the years and a lot more like the S-Class in terms of comfort and luxury. If you are seeking that sporty bent, there's the Porsche Panamera. If you're less interested in electrified powertrains, there's the Audi A8 and Genesis G90.

The 2025 S-Class is a full-size luxury sedan broken up into four models based on powertrain. The S 500 has a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 442 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. The S 580 has a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 good for 496 hp and 516 lb-ft. The S 580e is a plug-in hybrid that combines the S 500's engine with an electric motor to produce a combined 503 hp and 553 lb-ft. It can also go an Mercedes-estimated 47 miles on a full charge, though it achieved 51 miles on the Edmunds EV Range Test. All of these standard versions have a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.