S-Class W223 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W223) Facelift 2024


The Mercedes-Benz W223 is the seventh generation of the S‑Class full-size luxury sedan, produced by Mercedes-Benz since 2020. It replaces the W222 S‑Class which had been produced since 2013.
While on the subject - I saw this today and was amazed. The C217/W222 was peak MB interior design imo, but the C216 holds its own quite well almost 20 years on:
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WOW!
 
Haven't been keeping up, but that facelift interior is a triple A disaster.
Wish I hadn't seen it yet.

S class ruined for the rest of the gen. Hope they make a powerful comeback in like 3-4-5 years (if they intend to extend this generation, which I hope they won't). Truly the most forgettable S class in history.

S63 probably still is the best Autobahn cruiser ever made, but alas. They uglified the iconic grille with that God awful long in the tooth and overused sports grille or however they call it.
 
The W221 was, and always will be, superior in quality to the W222.
In the W221 nothing squeaks or rattles, whereas in the W222 (especially the facelift) unfortunately, it often does.

Even just the buttons for the electric seats: in the W221 they’re cold aluminum, in the W222 they’re plastic with a fake silver edge and black piano lacquer plastic in the middle. That’s what you call a serious downgrade. In my V12 model, which has the extended wood trim package, the wooden elements even extend to the lower part of the doors, with a long chrome strip—a level of craftsmanship you now only find in a Rolls-Royce. Now just take a look at the sad state of materials in the W222 door panel.

The lower part of the doors in the W222 is made from harder plastic, as are the interior sills, while in the W221 they’re still made from extremely thick and soft plush.
The W221 had not yet been affected by Daimler’s cost-cutting program, whereas it sadly already began with the W222, and with the W223 it hit rock bottom—resulting in the W223 being disastrously assembled and built.


For me, the absolute current design masterpiece is the Genesis G90.
The car has barely any lines, an extremely organic shape, insanely wide rear haunches, a rear end that’s a modernized version of the C219’s, and a front end that—given it was penned by Bentley’s former head of design—looks like some ultra-futuristic Bentley… narrow low lights, a low front, short overhangs, and even the hood was made in a clamshell shape to avoid additional panel gaps—the car is pure perfection.


If there were a V8 with around 500 horsepower, I’d have already ordered it. As it stands, I’m still thinking about it, but I believe that—if I get a good leasing offer—I’ll replace my S600 W221 with a brand-new G90. The interior is just as impressive: every button has a cold, solid feel, every stitch is perfectly sewn, the seat quilting is immaculate, the combination of woods… even the cabin quality evokes that of Bentley. The W223 doesn’t even come close.

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And that’s without even mentioning the concept coupe, which in my opinion is the pinnacle of the current automotive scene.
This is what the interior of a luxury car should look like—top-quality metal buttons, the finest leather, and just look at the headliner or the ambient lighting shining through the wooden inlays… absolutely insane!


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I am really looking forward to see the genesis convertible at the dealership.

This might become a real masterpiece.
 
Gotta love the woulda shoulda coulda. Genesis is impressive if you think leather and wood alone make luxury. Their mechanicals and drivetrains aren’t nothing on the Germans. Not even close.

M
I agree, that V6 Bi-Turbo is nothing special.

It does the job, that’s all.
 
Mick how would you describe the driving dynamics of the W223 compared to the W222?
Altough the airsuspension of W222 was very good, the one on the W223 is noticable better, I’d even say much better. In the NVH departement MB managed to make a remarkable quiet car even quieter. At the same time, both feel rather nimble, as far as the concept allows.

The steering on the W223 feels different, when manoeuvring at low speed. As If it has less steering wheel rotations. The turning circle feels/is larger. In parking garages, the W222 was easier manoeuvrable, handling better at low speed. And that’s not, because the wheelbase of W223 is a bit longer than that of the W222.

The brakes are different. I trend to brake in a gentle, foreseeable way, so that passengers don’t notice it (I hardly ever have passengers on board, but that’s another story). It was very easy to achieve in the old one, hard to achieve in the new one. Can’t put my finger on it, what it is.

As a whole, the driving dynamics of the W223 are better than those of the W222 and in this regard I would take a W223 over a W222 without even thinking.

My spot on remark to the post of @sl123 was regarding the differences in operating system, controling the car. The new touch heavy system is inferior to the system of the W222, with it’s push buttons and idrive knob. Imo voice control isn’t good enough to level it out.
 
The steering on the W223 feels different, when manoeuvring at low speed. As If it has less steering wheel rotations. The turning circle feels/is larger. In parking garages, the W222 was easier manoeuvrable, handling better at low speed. And that’s not, because the wheelbase of W223 is a bit longer than that of the W222.
Is yours with 4,5 degrees rear wheel steering or 10 degrees because w223 seems pretty maneuverable with the 10 degrees?
 
Gotta love the woulda shoulda coulda. Genesis is impressive if you think leather and wood alone make luxury. Their mechanicals and drivetrains aren’t nothing on the Germans. Not even close.

M
Obviously, you haven’t sat in a G90 yet. The way the G90 is built, the W223 can only dream of it.
No one is saying that the type of wood and leather alone defines luxury — but along with the final finish and craftsmanship, as well as the attention to detail, they are important factors in how a passenger feels in the car.
The engine? 417 horsepower and 0–100 km/h in 4.9 seconds is perfectly comparable to the S-Class. Just with a V6, though.
As for sound insulation — even Thomas from Autogefühl said it's the best he's ever experienced, and he was also impressed with the exceptional suspension, which you can even separately adjust just for the rear.
In my opinion, the Mercedes S500 is also underpowered and rough — it doesn’t suit the S-Class at all.
The only engine that fits the W223 is the originally introduced 580 without all the hybrid batteries and other crap — even the S63 is a big joke with that battery and the sound, which would honestly make me ashamed to say I own an AMG.
 
The S500 beat the G90 comprehensively in the Car and Driver comparison test. Its powertrain and handling/comfort are in another league and untouchable.

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Unfortunately, tests aren't always a reliable source.
You have to drive the car. I can personally say that the G90 drives better and is much more beautifully built inside than the W223.
Let’s not forget that behind the development of the G90 stands none other than Biermann himself (longtime head of M GmbH), so don’t just believe everything you read in various reviews — go drive the car yourself, then come back and talk.
The V6 Biturbo in the W223 is nothing special — loud, underpowered, and thirsty. The only proper engine was the 580 before it got saddled with a battery.
I admit, even in the G90, the V8 from the previous model would be a better fit.
 
Obviously, you haven’t sat in a G90 yet. The way the G90 is built, the W223 can only dream of it.
No one is saying that the type of wood and leather alone defines luxury — but along with the final finish and craftsmanship, as well as the attention to detail, they are important factors in how a passenger feels in the car.
The engine? 417 horsepower and 0–100 km/h in 4.9 seconds is perfectly comparable to the S-Class. Just with a V6, though.
As for sound insulation — even Thomas from Autogefühl said it's the best he's ever experienced, and he was also impressed with the exceptional suspension, which you can even separately adjust just for the rear.
In my opinion, the Mercedes S500 is also underpowered and rough — it doesn’t suit the S-Class at all.
The only engine that fits the W223 is the originally introduced 580 without all the hybrid batteries and other crap — even the S63 is a big joke with that battery and the sound, which would honestly make me ashamed to say I own an AMG.
I drove it at the beginning of 2024, see my impressions here: https://www.germancarforum.com/threads/second-gen-genesis-g90-revealed.65704/post-1319728
 
As expected. All this G90 nonsense is just happening in Sonder’s imagination. He just feels the need to share it with us, somehow.


Unlike you, I’ve driven both, so I can easily say I’d always take the G90 over the W223.
And that’s coming from someone whose family already owned an S-Class when you were still in diapers.
But sure, the S-Class is living off its old glory — and many have already surpassed it.
 
Some of you are asking about the driving experience of the W223.
You should know that, starting with the W222, Mercedes has not developed an entirely new chassis from scratch.
The W222 inherited its chassis and platform from the W221 (though it was, of course, improved), and the W223 then inherited it from the W222 — meaning the W223 has a heavily refined version of the W221’s underpinnings.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s an important detail.


Personally, I find the W223 drives very neutrally, but also completely "soulless."
For the first time, I got the feeling I usually have when driving the first-generation Audi A8 — that I’m holding the steering wheel while the front wheels are way out in front somewhere.
In contrast, the W222 felt more responsive to me, which I prefer.
That said, the W223 is even quieter inside the cabin.
 
Obviously, you haven’t sat in a G90 yet. The way the G90 is built, the W223 can only dream of it.
No one is saying that the type of wood and leather alone defines luxury — but along with the final finish and craftsmanship, as well as the attention to detail, they are important factors in how a passenger feels in the car.
The engine? 417 horsepower and 0–100 km/h in 4.9 seconds is perfectly comparable to the S-Class. Just with a V6, though.
As for sound insulation — even Thomas from Autogefühl said it's the best he's ever experienced, and he was also impressed with the exceptional suspension, which you can even separately adjust just for the rear.
In my opinion, the Mercedes S500 is also underpowered and rough — it doesn’t suit the S-Class at all.
The only engine that fits the W223 is the originally introduced 580 without all the hybrid batteries and other crap — even the S63 is a big joke with that battery and the sound, which would honestly make me ashamed to say I own an AMG.
Please man. I’ve driven the car several times. It’s nothing special beyond the wood and leather. The I6 in the S500 is a far better engine in actual testing. The S500 is faster and gets better mileage. That’s engineering. The G90 ain’t got squat on an S once you look past the leather. Whatever you think the S lacks in finish it makes and then some underneath the car.

M
 

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz Group AG is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Established in 1926, Mercedes-Benz Group produces consumer luxury vehicles and light commercial vehicles badged as Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, and Mercedes-Maybach. Its origin lies in Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft's 1901 Mercedes and Carl Benz's 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, which is widely regarded as the first internal combustion engine in a self-propelled automobile. The slogan for the brand is "the best or nothing".

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