The Updated 2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Has Received Significant Changes
Mercedes-Benz is preparing to launch the updated version of its flagship S-Class sedan. Although this is only a facelift, the model has received serious updates both outside and inside. The car is set to become even more luxurious and technological.
Among the key innovations, the following can be highlighted:
The Exterior Has Become More Modern
Prototypes of the new S-Class have already been caught by camera lenses multiple times. One of them, wearing a production body created to mark the 140th anniversary of the first Benz Patent-Motorwagen car, looks a bit sportier than its predecessor.
The new headlights attract particular attention. Each unit contains two clusters of star-shaped daytime running lights, aligning with the brand’s latest design trends. The shape of the headlights themselves has also changed slightly.
The overall shape of the headlights also seems a bit different. Although the grille is still camouflaged, it appears slightly larger than the current one, with recent patent leaks suggesting a new design loosely echoing the Vision Iconic concept.
The side changes are minimal, while the rear lights have received updated LED graphics, adding freshness.
Interior with a Revolutionary Display
The most noticeable change has occurred inside the cabin. Instead of separate digital instrument clusters and a portrait-oriented multimedia screen that “floated” above the center console, a monolithic Hyperscreen system, like in the EQS, has appeared.
It combines screens for the driver, multimedia, and passenger under a single pane of glass. However, there are also differences from the electric variant: the S-Class retains a physical engine start button on the dashboard. Furthermore, a new steering wheel with a physical rocker switch for volume control has been installed.
Powertrains May Remain Familiar
There is no official information yet about updates to the engine lineup. Most likely, the model will offer the same units as now, possibly with certain refinements to improve performance and efficiency.
The list is expected to include:
- A turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six gasoline engine producing 442 hp.
- A plug-in hybrid based on the same engine with a 28.6 kWh battery and a combined output of 503 hp.
- A 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 producing 496 hp.
- The flagship S 63 E Performance version with a hybrid powertrain based on a V8, delivering 791 hp.
The S-Class updates show how Mercedes-Benz is integrating technologies from its electric models into traditional lineups. The Hyperscreen, initially introduced on the EQS, is now becoming available to buyers of the flagship sedan with an internal combustion engine. This indicates the brand’s strategy to create a unified high-tech cabin environment regardless of the powertrain type. Such changes can significantly enhance the perception of the model’s luxury and modernity, which remains one of the key players in the premium segment. The success of this update could set the tone for future facelifts of other models from the brand.