2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan

The price of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class range starts at $109,800 for the S500. That price applies to the S500 Luxury Line. If you want the sportier S500 AMG Line, the MSRP rises to $114,100. The more powerful S580 starts at $116,300 for the Luxury Line, increasing to $120,600 for the AMG Line and $131,450 for the Executive Line.

These prices exclude a destination charge of $1,050.

This is an S-Class, so as we expected, it's very coddling. But we want to note here that Mercedes did a great job keeping it that way with the huge 21-inch wheels. We've said before that even when a company can mute a jolt to the cabin, it doesn't always mute the sound, especially with low-profile tires. Mercedes may have taken our comments to heart, as this S-Class seems old-school cushy and quiet.

With all that being said, not even Mercedes can hide all of that weight. The S580 comes in at 4,775 pounds, which is less than we would have guessed. Still, in the steering and braking, you can feel the mass of the vehicle, even in the sportier modes that stiffen up the adaptive suspension and tighten up the steering. It feels sportier in S and S+ modes, but we wouldn't call it "sporty."

It does feel confident, though. This model has the optional 4.5 degrees of rear-wheel steering, which makes it quicker to change lanes and much quicker to creep out of a crowded parking lot.

And taking a high-speed sweeping expressway cloverleaf shows off how much grip this heavyweight has.

If you're looking for a car in this size, layout, and price range, you're probably looking for luxury. And if that's the case, you have to go with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The BMW 7-Series is a little more sporty, while the Audi A8 rides the line between luxury and sport. Like a Cadillac used to, driving an S-Class now says to the world, "I've made it."

再加上一个真正的豪华骑和足够的力量blow by triple digits, and we have a winner here. It'll take a bit to get used to that tech, but damn if it doesn't make both short and long drives easier and more entertaining. And if you have a big family, in size, not number, the S-Class will fit the more ample examples of your gene pool, as well as their luggage.

Finally, we have the curb appeal. Does one really need a Maybach when the standard S-Class is so good? We think not, especially as the price difference between the two is about the cost of a well-equipped Corvette. We like the S580, but the S500 is a perfect concession prize.

Like we said above, we love the I6/48-volt combo, but this is a big car, so we'd start with the S580 with the big V8 and nine-speed automatic for $116,300 (we wouldn't, but we're talking hypotheticals here). The AMG Line upgrade is only $4,300, so we'd add that immediately. The colors are on the boring side, so we'd pick the Rubellite Red, which is like a cranberry.

We'll keep the smaller 19-inch wheels to keep the ride nice, but we will take the Carmine Red leather to match the exterior for $3,110. This automatically adds the Warmth & Comfort Package. The rear-axle steering is a nice feature, but we'd skip that $1,300 charge. That brings us to $128,560 plus destination, for executive-level transportation that will both impress the neighbors and delight the family.

This automotive battle has been raging since BMW introduced the first 7 Series in 1977 and it always plays out in the same way. Mercedes-Benz launches the new S-Class, and the 7 Series follows around two years later. The S-Class is the dominant car for those two years, and then the new 7 Series is launched and the battle becomes less one-sided. For the moment, the S-Class is in the lead. The current 7 has been around since 2015, and its age is starting to show. Traditionally speaking, the 7 Series has always been more of a driver's car. It's always slightly more responsive and agile than the Benz. Then again, the S-Class's ride quality and refinement are class-leading. It now also has a far more extravagant cabin design if you prefer that sort of thing. The BMW is excellent but the Merc has regained a comfortable lead.

The recently revised E-Class is better than ever before. For the first time, you can refer to it as a downsized S-Class. Ride quality and overall refinement are sublime. You also get the latest MBUX infotainment system and a generous standard specification list. With the money you save, you can always add more. We'd stay away from the less powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine option and go for the E450. It uses the same inline-six engine with mild-hybrid assistance, albeit detuned to 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Buying an E-Class over an S-Class doesn't feel like a significant downgrade, and the E is nearly half the price.