The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been the brand’s flagship since 1972, but one trophy kept slipping away. That changed this fall. MotorTrend named the 2027 S-Class its Car of the Year, and it’s the big sedan’s first win in 46 years.
- The updated S-Class beat a field of 16 nameplates and 22 variants, from muscle cars to a minivan.
- A new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 in the S580 makes 530 horsepower, up from 496.
- Smart suspension, rear-axle steering, and a lavish cabin won over the judges.
A Long Road Back to the Top
The last time this nameplate took MotorTrend’s top prize, the winner was the 1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD, named Import Car of the Year. The S-Class came close a few times after that. It was a finalist for 2014 and again for 2022. Mercedes-Benz USA announced the new win from Atlanta on October 20, 2026.
This year’s field was a real mixed bag. Out in California’s Mojave Desert, the S-Class went up against an electric Chevrolet Bolt and a Tesla Model 3.
Each car is judged on its own against six criteria: engineering excellence, advancement in design, value, safety, efficiency, and performance of intended function. That last one asks a simple question. Does the car do what its maker set out to build? For a luxury flagship, the S-Class answered with a confident yes.
What Changed for 2027
This seventh-generation S-Class got a hefty update with about 2,700 new or revised parts. The biggest changes are a new V-8, a new infotainment operating system called MB.OS, and Mercedes’ latest driver assistance tech, including hands-free driving.
The styling stays familiar, though you’ll notice the stars. The grille is 20 percent larger, has an illuminated frame, and carries more than 50 star logos. You’ll find more stars on the electrochromic sunroof. The headlights and taillights use star-shaped daytime running lights. Blue lights in the headlights switch on when the car is driving itself hands-free.
Power and Poise on the Road
The S580 gets a new 4.0-liter twin-turbo mild hybrid V-8 with a flat-plane crankshaft. It’s called the M177 Evo, and engines from this new family will replace every eight-cylinder in Mercedes and AMG models going forward. It makes 530 horsepower and 533 lb-ft of torque, up from 496 hp and 516 lb-ft. Judges found it smooth and quiet, with no vibration at idle.
You can also get the S-Class with a 3.0-liter inline-six. In the S500 4Matic mild hybrid, it makes 442 hp and 443 lb-ft. The S580e plug-in hybrid is due to join the lineup by the end of the year. It pushes output to 576 hp and 553 lb-ft and adds 45 miles of all-electric range. Every U.S. model gets a nine-speed automatic and 4Matic all-wheel drive.
The ride impressed the judges just as much. Air suspension is standard, and the test car added E-Active Body Control, a $6,500 option. It uses road data from other MB.OS vehicles to flag potholes and big bumps ahead of time, then adjusts the suspension to soak them up. Standard rear-axle steering gives this big sedan a much tighter turning circle.
A Cabin Built for Long Days
The test car was an S580 4Matic. It starts at $136,050 and was optioned up to $180,500. Much of that money went into the cabin. The Manufaktur package adds dark chocolate brown leather, quilted seats with headrest pillows, an Alcantara headliner, and wood trim. The seats heat, cool, and massage. You can even order heated seat belts.
The back seat may be the best spot of all. With the Executive package, one button slides the front passenger seat forward, reclines the rear seat, and pops out a footrest. Each rear passenger also gets a 13.1-inch touchscreen and wireless headphones.
It isn’t perfect. Judges found sharp wood trim edges near the cupholders and a few plasticky buttons. The transmission can also be slow to kick down in Comfort mode. But the overall feel won them over.
Test Drive the S-Class on a Rough Road
The 2027 S-Class pairs a stronger engine, smarter chassis tech, and a cabin that pampers everyone aboard. If you’re shopping for a full-size luxury sedan, drive it on a broken stretch of pavement and spend a few minutes in the rear seat. That’s where this car makes its case. Look for it at U.S. dealers in the fourth quarter of 2026.
