The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the flagship sedan of Mercedes-Benz and, for more than half a century, the car that other luxury sedans have been measured against. The name officially arrived in 1972 with the W116, but the idea — a Sonderklasse, or “special class”, of Mercedes — goes back to the 1950s. Seven official generations later, the current W223 (launched in 2020) is still the default choice of heads of state, executives and professional chauffeurs worldwide.

This guide walks through every generation, what each one introduced, and why the S-Class became the car it is.

S-Class at a glance
Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz (Sindelfingen plant, Germany)
First car officially named S-Class W116, 1972
Current generation W223, from 2020
Body styles today Standard and long-wheelbase sedan; Mercedes-Maybach S-Class
Known for Debuting safety and comfort technology years before the rest of the industry

Before the name: Ponton, Fintail and W108

Mercedes built large, top-of-the-range sedans long before it called them S-Class. The “Ponton” 220 S of the mid-1950s and the W111 “Fintail” of 1959 were the first steps. The Fintail is famous for the safety body developed by engineer Béla Barényi, with a rigid passenger cell and crumple zones front and rear — a principle every modern car now follows.

The elegant W108/W109 (1965–1972) came next, and the 300 SEL 6.3 of 1968 — which borrowed the big V8 from the Mercedes 600 limousine — proved that a formal four-door could also be astonishingly fast.

W116 (1972–1980): the first official S-Class

The W116 was the first model to carry the S-Class name. It brought a stronger safety cell, a fuel tank moved above the rear axle for crash protection, and a padded interior. Two landmarks stand out:

  • 1978: anti-lock brakes (ABS). Developed with Bosch, ABS was offered on the W116 as one of the first production applications in the world.
  • 450 SEL 6.9. A 6.9-litre V8 and self-levelling hydropneumatic suspension made it the ultimate executive express of the 1970s.

For American buyers, the 300 SD turbodiesel (1978) became one of the first turbocharged diesel passenger cars sold in volume.

W126 (1979–1991): the long-runner

Designed under Bruno Sacco, the W126 was sleeker, lighter and more aerodynamic than its predecessor. In 1981 it introduced the driver’s airbag and seat-belt pretensioner — technology now required in cars around the world. The W126 stayed in production for twelve years and became one of the most successful S-Class generations ever, with the 560 SEL as its American flagship.

W140 (1991–1998): engineered without compromise

The W140 was enormous, heavy and famously over-built. It introduced double-pane side glass for a near-silent cabin, soft-close doors, and the first V12 in a Mercedes passenger sedan (the 600 SEL, later renamed S 600). In 1995 the related S-Class Coupé became the first Mercedes with Electronic Stability Program (ESP). Many engineers still call the W140 the last “cost-no-object” Mercedes.

W220 (1998–2005): lighter and smarter

After the bulk of the W140, the W220 was smaller outside, lighter and more efficient. It made Airmatic air suspension standard and debuted Distronic, one of the first radar-based adaptive cruise control systems. In 2002 it introduced Pre-Safe, which senses an imminent collision and prepares the cabin — tightening belts, adjusting seats and closing windows.

W221 (2005–2013): the digital S-Class

The W221 added Night View Assist (an infrared camera that shows pedestrians beyond the headlights), radar-based brake assistance and a new generation of the COMAND infotainment system. The S 400 Hybrid of 2009 was among the first production cars to use a lithium-ion hybrid battery.

W222 (2013–2020): the car that reads the road

The W222 introduced Magic Body Control, which uses a stereo camera to scan the road surface ahead and adjust the suspension before the wheels reach a bump. It was also one of the first cars lit entirely by LEDs, inside and out. In 2015, Mercedes revived the Maybach name as the ultra-luxury Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, stretched for even more rear legroom.

W223 (2020–today): the current generation

Today’s S-Class centers on the MBUX interface with a large OLED central screen, available rear-axle steering (up to 10 degrees, which makes the long sedan surprisingly easy to maneuver on narrow Manhattan streets), and the world’s first rear-seat airbags built into the front seat backs. It also offers Drive Pilot, a conditionally automated (SAE Level 3) system approved for use in limited conditions in Germany and in some U.S. states. The S 580 uses a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with mild-hybrid assistance, while plug-in hybrid and Maybach V12 versions sit alongside it.

Why chauffeurs choose the S-Class

Every generation has been designed with the rear seat in mind — the long-wheelbase version is the standard in North America — and that is exactly why it dominates executive transportation. For a passenger the benefits are practical: a quiet cabin for calls, a ride smooth enough to read or work, and a rear seat that reclines with its own climate control.

It is the car we use for executive airport transfers and corporate travel. See our Mercedes-Benz S-Class page, or read about what the rear seat offers.