The rear seat is the reason the Mercedes-Benz S-Class exists in the form it does. In North America the S-Class is sold almost exclusively in long-wheelbase form, and in the current W223 generation Mercedes designed much of the car around the passenger sitting behind the front passenger seat. If you have booked a chauffeured S-Class, this guide explains what the back seat can do and how to get the most out of it.

What the S-Class rear seat offers

Equipment varies with the options a car was ordered with, but a well-specified current S-Class commonly includes:

  • Power-adjustable rear seats with heating and ventilation, and on the Executive Rear Seat package, a reclining backrest and an extendable calf rest.
  • Massage programs in the seat backrest, often combined with seat heating for a “hot stone” effect.
  • Separate climate zones for the rear, with their own controls.
  • Power sunshades for the rear window and rear side windows — useful for privacy and for keeping a phone screen readable in bright sun.
  • Rear entertainment screens mounted on the front seat backs, plus a removable rear tablet on some cars to control seat, climate, lighting and audio.
  • Ambient lighting in dozens of colors, and a Burmester sound system.
  • USB-C charging and, on many cars, a rear wireless charging pad.

The “chauffeur position”

On cars with the Executive Rear Seat package, the front passenger seat can be moved forward and its headrest folded down. This opens up space for the right-rear passenger to recline and extend the calf rest — effectively turning the seat into a lounger. It is one reason the right rear seat is often called the “boss seat”.

Which seat is best in a chauffeured car?

For a single passenger, the right rear seat — behind the empty front passenger seat — is the traditional choice, for three reasons:

  1. The most legroom, because the front passenger seat can be moved forward.
  2. Curbside exits. In the United States the right side faces the curb, so you step straight onto the sidewalk rather than into traffic.
  3. A clear view of the road ahead and easy conversation with the chauffeur if you want it.

Two passengers usually take both rear seats; a third sits up front. That is why chauffeured S-Class bookings are typically capped at three passengers, even though the car has five seat belts.

Safety in the back seat

The S-Class has long led on rear-seat safety. The W222 generation offered an inflatable Beltbag for outer rear passengers, and the W223 added the world’s first rear-seat front airbag, deployed from the back of the front seat. The Pre-Safe system can tighten belts and adjust the seat before an expected collision.

None of that helps if you are not buckled in. New York requires all rear-seat passengers aged 16 and older to wear seat belts (the rule took effect in November 2020), and New Jersey has required rear-seat belts for adults since 2010. Professional chauffeurs will ask you to buckle up — it is the law, and it is the single most effective safety feature in the car.

Tips for a comfortable ride

  • Tell the chauffeur your preferences at the start: temperature, music or silence, and whether you plan to take calls.
  • Use the sunshades instead of asking for the privacy partition you might expect in a stretch limousine — sedans do not have one.
  • Keep bags in the trunk. A clear floor makes it easier to recline and to get in and out.
  • Ask for the seat to be set before pickup if you need extra legroom — a good chauffeur will already have done it.

Is the S-Class right for your trip?

The S-Class is ideal for one to three passengers with standard luggage, executive airport transfers, and client meetings where a quiet cabin matters. For more luggage or larger groups, an SUV such as the Cadillac Escalade or Chevrolet Suburban is more practical. You can see our sedan on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class page, and read how the car evolved in our S-Class history.