2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs. 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
When comparing the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class's and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class's specifications and ratings, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for used cars. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and base engine power. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have the same interior volume, overall quality score Based on this comparison of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class's and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a better car than the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Pricing: A used 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class ranges from $45,032 to $104,356 while a used 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is priced between $74,369 to $122,397.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class both lose 56.9 percent of their value.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is 7.5 out of 10. Mercedes-Benz S-Class is ranked 6 out of 24 Best Luxury Large Cars based on its reliability, retained value, and safety ratings.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars' Reliability Rating for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is 8.1 out of 10.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class’s base engine makes 362 horsepower, and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class base engine makes 429 horsepower. The S-Class is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 591 miles. The S-Class is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 644 miles. This gives the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Both models use premium unleaded.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$94,250
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$87,679
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$46,305 - $138,600
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$109,800
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$98,231
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$69,200 - $140,000
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$62,669
Price Range:
$45,032 - $104,356
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$59,916
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$31,809 - $111,938
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
171
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
43,445
# Good or Great Deals:
79
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$88,036
Price Range:
$74,369 - $122,397
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$68,785
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$49,186 - $100,629
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
264
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
30,866
# Good or Great Deals:
128
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
7.0 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
7.0 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Large Cars)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
3.7 - 10.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
1.4%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Large Cars)
7.5
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
4.7 - 11.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
1.4%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.9
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Large Cars)
2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Large Cars)
0.6 - 36
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Large Cars)
5.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Large Cars)
1 - 61.6
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 24Ranking
2 out of / 24Ranking
2 out of / 24Ranking
3 out of / 24Ranking
3 out of / 24Ranking
6 out of / 24Ranking
7 out of / 8Ranking
8 out of / 11Ranking
11 out of / 24Mercedes-Benz S-Class Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 24Ranking
2 out of / 24Ranking
2 out of / 24Ranking
3 out of / 24Ranking
3 out of / 24Ranking
6 out of / 24Ranking
7 out of / 8Ranking
8 out of / 11Ranking
11 out of / 24Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe, Sedan
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe, Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Trim Levels
Not yet available
2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Trim Levels
Not yet available
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
362 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
369 foot-lbs @ 1800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.080 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
429 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque:
384 foot-lbs @ 1800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.091 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 28 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
401 / 591 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 29 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
444 / 644 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Air Suspension:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Air Suspension:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
59.1 inches
Cargo Space:
16.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
112.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
42.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
43.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
59 inches
Cargo Space:
12.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
112.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4553 lbs
Width:
83.9 inches
Height:
58.8 inches
Length:
206.9 inches
Wheelbase:
124.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4740 lbs
Width:
83 inches
Height:
59.2 inches
Length:
208.2 inches
Wheelbase:
126.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/50R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/45R19
Exterior Colors
Beige
Dune Silver Metallic
Black
Black / Magnetite Black Metallic / Obsidian Black Metallic
Blue
Anthracite Blue Metallic / Lunar Blue Metallic
Gray
Selenite Grey Metallic
Green
Emerald Green Metallic
Red
Ruby Black Metallic
Silver
Diamond Silver Metallic / Iridium Silver Metallic
White
designo Cashmere White Magno Matte / designo Diamond White Metallic
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black / Obsidian Black Metallic / Onyx Black Metallic
Blue
Anthracite Blue Metallic
Gray
Graphite Grey Metallic / Selenite Grey Metallic
Green
Emerald Green Metallic
Red
Rubellite Red Metallic
Silver
Cirrus Silver Metallic / Mojave Silver Metallic
White
designo Diamond White Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Silk Beige/Deep Sea Blue / Silk Beige/Espresso Brown / Silk Beige/Titanium Grey Pearl
Black
Black
Brown
Mahogany/Silk Beige / Nut Brown/Black
Gray
Magma Grey/Espresso Brown
White
Porcelain/Black / Silk Beige/Satin Red Pearl
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Macchiato Beige/Magma Grey
Black
Black
Brown
Sienna Brown/Black
Gray
Not available
White
Not available
Red
Carmine Red/Black
Silver
Silver Grey/Black