Appearances can be deceiving, because this is not an ordinary S-Class facelift. Mercedes has changed more than half of its flagship model by updating or replacing around 2,700 parts. This is by far the most comprehensive mid-cycle update the full-size luxury sedan has ever received. You don’t necessarily notice that at first glance, because the starry design is the most noticeable external change.
Mercedes has embedded its famous three-pointed star into the headlights and taillights. To drive the point home, the hood ornament now lights up and the illuminated grille is filled with hot-stamped stars. It’s a little too flashy for our tastes, but this level of opulence has become known in newer models. We appreciate the new 20-inch wheels with their elaborate 50-cross-spoke design. However, they definitely look like they would be an absolute pain to clean.
Compared to the S-Class before the facelift, the radiator grille is now 20% larger, giving the top model an even more impressive appearance. Mercedes offers more than 150 paint colors, but none of them are particularly noticeable in the official images. On the other hand, sedans in this segment are rarely ordered in bold paint finishes.
Screens galore
The changes become much more apparent once you step inside, where Mercedes doubles its presence on the screens. The 2026 S-Class is based on the electric EQS by enlarging its displays. The central display measures 14.4 inches and is now flanked by two 12.3-inch screens: a digital instrument cluster for the driver and a separate display for the front passenger. We hear the BMW 7 Series facelift is also cramming a third screen into the dashboard for the person driving shotgun.
In the rear, the revised entertainment system has larger 13.1-inch displays with integrated HD cameras for video conferences. You could say that there is both party and business in the background. In addition, removable remote controls allow rear passengers to access many seat functions, including adjustment, heating, ventilation and massage. The remote controls also allow passengers to control the volume, climate settings and electric sunshades.
Like every S-Class before it, the updated W223 is a technological tour de force. It can be ordered with up to 10 external cameras, 5 radar sensors and a whopping 12 ultrasonic sensors. All of this hardware allows the crown jewel of the Mercedes range to drive even in busy urban environments. At launch, MB.Drive Assist Pro will be offered exclusively in China before coming to the US, while the Euro model will have to wait until regulations catch up.
Standard rear wheel steering and ultra-bright headlights
In the future, the S-Class will be equipped with 4.5-degree rear wheel steering as standard, but Mercedes will still charge a surcharge for the full 10-degree setting. Elsewhere, the starlights use micro-LED technology to reduce energy consumption by half, while switching to a single control unit reduces weight by 25 percent. An ultra-range high beam illuminates the road for up to 600 meters. Oh, and let’s not forget the heated seatbelt, which reaches a temperature of 44°C (111.2°F).
Improved gas and diesel engines
The extensive facelift also brings changes under the hood. The six-cylinder petrol engine receives a torque increase to 600 Nm, and even to 640 Nm when the temporary overtorque function is activated. The M256 Evo is also quieter than before thanks to reduced NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) following insulation improvements.
The six-cylinder diesel features an industry-first electrically heated catalytic converter that heats the exhaust gas more quickly, allowing it to reach optimal operating temperature sooner, improving efficiency. The OM656 Evo has also been further optimized to meet the increasingly strict emissions regulations with the upcoming Euro 7 standard.
For those who want more cylinders, the M177 Evo V8 features a flat-plane crank and a revised firing order. It produces 537 hp and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) while lowering NVH levels for smoother and quieter operation. Like the six-cylinder engines, it is a mild hybrid that is equipped with a 17 kW integrated starter generator.
Mercedes will also offer the new S-Class as a plug-in hybrid, which combines a six-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor and achieves a total output of up to 577 hp. That’s a massive increase of 74 hp, accompanied by a whopping 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque.
The V12 is alive
Until the Maybach S-Class goes on sale later this year, the only way to get a V12 is to opt for the armored Guard version, which features the venerable 6.0-liter twin-turbo powerhouse.
Now that the 2026 S-Class is officially available, attention turns to BMW’s answer: the 7 Series LCI. Expect the facelifted G70 to launch in the coming months, with production set to begin in July.
