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All the Mercedes-Benz S-Class generations have brought some sort of market-leading tech to the car industry, starting with the ’70s W116 – the first to be called the S-Class – with its four-channel ABS brakes in 1978. In 1980, the W126 succeeded it with much-improved aerodynamics and new features such as airbags, while the significantly larger and heavier 1992 W140 introduced refinements such as soft-closing doors and double glazing. Production runs of eight to 11 model years for early Mercedes-Benz S-Class generations were nothing unusual, but later years didn’t run quite as long. The tech-heavy W221 redesign of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class for model years 2007-2013 featured distinctive blistered wheel arches and bigger dashboard displays, while the 2014 W222 introduced the new Mercedes family look and was the first car with full-LED interior and exterior lights, doing away with all incandescent bulbs. The seventh-gen W223 has been around since MY2021 and also forms the basis of the super-luxury Mercedes-Maybach S sedans.

2021-Now Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan W223 (7th Gen)

The new W223 dropped the V12 engines. The base engine was now a turbocharged mild-hybrid 3.0L inline six-cylinder with 429 hp, while the 4.0L twin-turbo V8 returned with 496 hp in the S580, also with mild-hybrid assistance. For MY2023, an S580e plug-in hybrid with the base six-pot and 510 hp was launched.

W223 Generation S-Class Sedan Production Years:

2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2018-2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan W222 (6th Gen) Facelift

By the time the W222 came in for its 2018 refresh, Merc’s new 4.0L twin-turbo V8 had replaced the older V8s, producing 463 hp in the S560 and 603 hp in the S63 AMG. There was a new turbocharged 3.0 V6 engine with 362 hp in the base S450. The twin-turbo 6.0L V12 S65 AMG upped the ante to 621 hp.

W222 Generation S-Class Sedan Production Years:

2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2014-2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan W222 (6th Gen)

A redesigned W222 landed for MY2014 with two engines – a 449-hp twin-turbo 4.6L V8 in the S550 and a 577-hp 5.5L twin-turbo V8 in the S63 AMG, both with a seven-speed automatic transmission.

W222 Generation S-Class Sedan Production Years:

2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2010-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan W221 (5th Gen) Facelift

For the mid-cycle refresh for the 2010 model year, changes to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class included a mild restyle and a 295-hp S400 Hybrid with a 3.5L V6.

W221 Generation S-Class Sedan Production Years:

2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2007-2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan W221 (5th Gen)

The 2007 W221 launched with a 382-hp 5.5L V8 S550 (RWD or 4Matic AWD), a 518-hp 6.2L V8 S63 AMG, a 510-hp 5.5L twin-turbo V12 S600, and a 604-hp 6.0L twin-turbo V12 S65 AMG, all with a seven-speed automatic transmission.

W221 Generation S-Class Sedan Production Years:

2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan Review

2003-2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan W220 (4th Gen) Facelift

2000-2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan W220 (4th Gen)

1995-1999 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan W140 (3rd Gen) Facelift

1992-1994 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan W140 (3rd Gen)

1986-1991 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan W126 (2nd Gen) Facelift

1980-1985 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan W126 (2nd Gen)

1977-1979 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan W116 (1st Gen)