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

[McLaren64TR]

The biggest problem with the Mercedes is their lack of ideas. Like we said before, they’ve been literally doing the same bumpers for the last 10 years, and counting. Even the FL S-Class has the same damn bumper. There’s also not enough design elements to differentiate each model from one another. Current models/concepts give me hope about their future designs since they’re showcasing unique and fresh elements, but while they’re cool, production models still end up looking like the same vehicle just with different front and rear graphics. Just look at the GLC EV, besides the big grille and the black light bar, there’s basically nothing new with the exterior. Unfortunately adding star graphics to every single corner doesn’t help with it either.

I've been saying this for years. Mercedes doesn't make bad designs, but they make boring designs. Familiar, risk-free, and plain. They don't want to leave the safe harbor. Even the GLC EV is still a conventional Mercedes with no innovation. The iX3 is a completely different car in every way—Mercedes doesn't have that. The G70 was a brand-new design, the Neue Klasse is a brand-new design, but Mercedes isn't doing that. They're afraid of taking risks. And because they don't take risks, they're now seen as boring and no longer in demand like they used to be. Mercedes needs a new design team. The current design team has run its course.

 

[Uygar]

You know you're talking to AI generated answers right?

Merc’s very own AI chatbot! From what I’ve heard they will use Leylandi’s voice for the MBUX’s AI assistant as well.

 

[Serpens]

Ha. When BMW is heavily evolutionary it’s good, when they’re revolutionary it’s good. When Mercedes evolves its design it looks Korean, like a bordello, boring, etc. classic GCF.

We’ve only been through two design cycles with Gorden if we’re going by S-class generations, with the W223 being an evolution of the W222. If the W224 were to be a further evolution I’d say sure, he’s officially out of ideas. But I’m not sure entirely convinced we need to go that far yet. I will certainly say he’s had some major misses though.

When the W224 eventually breaks cover, just know Gorden signed off on it. Design freeze has already passed.

 

[Uygar]

I've been saying this for years. Mercedes doesn't make bad designs, but they make boring designs. Familiar, risk-free, and plain. They don't want to leave the safe harbor. Even the GLC EV is still a conventional Mercedes with no innovation. The iX3 is a completely different car in every way—Mercedes doesn't have that. The G70 was a brand-new design, the Neue Klasse is a brand-new design, but Mercedes isn't doing that. They're afraid of taking risks. And because they don't take risks, they're now seen as boring and no longer in demand like they used to be. Mercedes needs a new design team. The current design team has run its course.

Same. Almost all of their cars have generally liked nice designs, but they’re just plain boring. Same stuff over and over again. I literally see better designs from amateur designers on IG.
People want to stand out with their cars nowadays, at least that’s the case for me. If I’m gonna pay €80-100k for a car it better be unique.

 

[Uygar]

Ha. When BMW is heavily evolutionary it’s good, when they’re revolutionary it’s good. When Mercedes evolves its design it looks Korean, like a bordello, boring, etc. classic GCF.

We’ve only been through two design cycles with Gorden if we’re going by S-class generations, with the W223 being an evolution of the W222. If the W224 were to be a further evolution I’d say sure, he’s officially out of ideas. But I’m not sure entirely convinced we need to go that far yet. I will certainly say he’s had some major misses though.

When the W224 eventually breaks cover, just know Gorden signed off on it. Design freeze has already passed.

Mercedes design has been stagnant for the last 10-12 years, way too long for a manufacturer like them to present boring stuff. It’s almost like they have the full potential to create something truly magnificent but choose not to. I literally cannot think of one single Mercedes model that excites me right now.

 

[GTA45E]

I guess I was right with the E-Class like grille and the black surround.

Yes, I guessed this as well.
Only an artist or designer could connect the dots.
I read somewhere that the black frame was a sort of badge to show the latest ICE and Diesel-powered cars are electrified, while also adding a touch of sportiness
Mercedes is one of the few that takes face/lifts seriously. literally hundreds, if not thousands of parts are upgraded under the skin.
The W223 S-Class is taking it further with a new interior.

The face/lift will look a touch bolder than the preface lift.
The image with the graphic is most likely showing the standard model. ( I am adding the current models for comparisons.)

------

This one is the AMG Sport Package.

 

[GTA45E]

This thread has gone sideways with that topic of design direction and trashing. We`ve already seen these comments plenty of times. It adds nothing to the topic. This is just a facelift. Face lifts are about minor tweaking and freshening up what already exists, not a complete change in design direction with new ideas. That is coming with the W224 S-Class.

 

[TATE]

Ha. When BMW is heavily evolutionary it’s good, when they’re revolutionary it’s good. When Mercedes evolves its design it looks Korean, like a bordello, boring, etc. classic GCF.

We’ve only been through two design cycles with Gorden if we’re going by S-class generations, with the W223 being an evolution of the W222. If the W224 were to be a further evolution I’d say sure, he’s officially out of ideas. But I’m not sure entirely convinced we need to go that far yet. I will certainly say he’s had some major misses though.

When the W224 eventually breaks cover, just know Gorden signed off on it. Design freeze has already passed.

Please Serpents
The w224 Will it be very different from the actual car?

 

[leylandi]

The world premiere of the facelifted S-Class will take place in February 2026

Mercedes S-Klasse Facelift kommt im Februar 2026

Mercedes-Benz beginnt das Jahr 2026 mit der Mopf (Facelift) der S-Klasse (W223) (inkl. Maybach Version): Weltpremiere Februar 2026

jesmb.de

 

[leylandi]

The product portfolio that was the sales champion between 2016 and 2019. Nothing has changed in terms of design. They all look similar. It's absurd to attribute Mercedes' decline solely to design.

 

[hannaz]

This AMG grille doesn’t look as tall as regular grilles we saw in spy pics.. !!

 

[leylandi]

Merc’s very own AI chatbot! From what I’ve heard they will use Leylandi’s voice for the MBUX’s AI assistant as well.

Komik misin

 

[Uygar]

This AMG grille doesn’t look as tall as regular grilles we saw in spy pics.. !!

Apparently the AMG version will not get the big grille. Just regular models and the Maybach.

 

[Uygar]

Komik misin

Believe me It’s not that deep

 

[Luca]

McLaren64TR, in my humble opinion we need to have new ideas on both internal and external design...for example the dashboard is the same as the Cla Glc Bev, Glb and also the next generation Gla

 

[Rolf]

The product portfolio that was the sales champion between 2016 and 2019. Nothing has changed in terms of design. They all look similar. It's absurd to attribute Mercedes' decline solely to design.

Mercedes changed styling direction from the 2013 W222 S-class and the other models followed this same route. From 2013 up to 2019 the range all looked great and better than the current models.

This years sales drop is mostly due to less sales in China (less 76K) and USA (less 22K) and 9K from other Asian countries. The China sales drop everybody knows about, due mostly to the bad sales of Mercedes EVs (EQS/EQE etc.) and also S-class drop in sales as Chinese people are preferring to buy cheaper local brands. USA is because of increase in tariffs.

 

[leylandi]

Mercedes changed styling direction from the 2013 W222 S-class and the other models followed this same route. From 2013 up to 2019 the range all looked great and better than the current models.

This years sales drop is mostly due to less sales in China (less 76K) and USA (less 22K) and 9K from other Asian countries. The China sales drop everybody knows about, due mostly to the bad sales of Mercedes EVs (EQS/EQE etc.) and also S-class drop in sales as Chinese people are preferring to buy cheaper local brands. USA is because of increase in tariffs.

Interestingly, before 2013, models varied in design (which is now desired), and the W223 introduced a different design direction in the current portfolio. The bumpers are the part that's being criticized here! However, it's often overlooked that BMW also produced classic designs and achieved success until the iX was released. Strange designs like the G70, G60, G45, and XM (which are appealing to BMW enthusiasts) are being met with positive feedback. I don't think this is a fair perspective.

 

[Serpens]

McLaren64TR, in my humble opinion we need to have new ideas on both internal and external design...for example the dashboard is the same as the Cla Glc Bev, Glb and also the next generation Gla

The dashboard is not the exact same in the GLC as it is in the CLA/GLA/GLB. Infotainment dictates some similarities across models (just like BMWs getting panoramic i-drive), but it’s the CLA/GLA/GLB platform mates that have the exact same dash, just as they did in the previous two generations. The similarities may seem more jarring now that the infotainment setup spans the entire width of the interior, granted.

Mercedes changed styling direction from the 2013 W222 S-class and the other models followed this same route. From 2013 up to 2019 the range all looked great and better than the current models.

This years sales drop is mostly due to less sales in China (less 76K) and USA (less 22K) and 9K from other Asian countries. The China sales drop everybody knows about, due mostly to the bad sales of Mercedes EVs (EQS/EQE etc.) and also S-class drop in sales as Chinese people are preferring to buy cheaper local brands. USA is because of increase in tariffs.

Delayed refreshes have also had an impact in all markets too. And while EV sales aren’t as important in the U.S., paltry EQ sales are still lower than they should be. They’re addressing the pain points, but unfortunately it’s going to take time and they’re behind schedule.

 

[leylandi]

McLaren64TR, in my humble opinion we need to have new ideas on both internal and external design...for example the dashboard is the same as the Cla Glc Bev, Glb and also the next generation Gla

This is a utopian expectation given current market conditions. Every company uses the same cockpit in its compact model series.

 

[leylandi]