The 2027 Mercedes S580 4Matic represents a rare achievement: an icon that continues to evolve while maintaining its essential identity. Since its inception, the S-Class has transcended automotive engineering to become a cultural symbol of status and luxury. Now in its latest iteration, the sedan faces the challenge of innovating within a deeply established form. Early testing suggests it succeeds more often than it falters.
Fist in a Velvet Glove, But Make It Future
Beneath its iconic three-pointed star lies a new 4.0-liter twin-turbo flat-plane-crank V-8 engine, designed to balance efficiency with performance. The powerplant uses the Miller cycle to reduce pumping losses, contributing to quieter operation while delivering 530 horsepower and 533 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes-Benz uses a pair of balance shafts in the new M177 Evo engine to cancel the bad vibes inherent in flat-plane-crank designs.
In conjunction with a 48-volt electric motor that helps pad the torque curve and gives it an enhanced sense of power from a stop, the engine achieves its impressive output. Test drivers noted a touch of throttle lag, but overall, we found the 4.0-liter to be a sweet-sounding and smooth-revving piece of engineering art. Paired with a nine-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive system, the S580 accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds, slightly slower than Mercedes’ claimed 3.9 due to environmental factors.
Mercedes’ E-Active body control system enhances the driving experience by integrating camera, radar, and cloud data to proactively adjust damping. Four drive modes allow customization, including Curve mode, which uses the suspension to actively lean into turns, enhancing cornering confidence. Rear-wheel steering (4.5 degrees as standard, 10 degrees available as an upgrade, though not with the optional 21-inch wheels ours had) improves the big sedan’s steering feel and turning radius and makes it unexpectedly responsive at speed.
This system’s ability to learn and improve over time sets it apart from competitors. The S580’s commitment to continuous improvement extends beyond basic functionality, with each circuit completed during testing revealing subtle refinements in how the suspension adapted to varying conditions. The system’s capacity to integrate cloud data from preceding vehicles created a predictive smoothness that felt genuinely forward-thinking rather than merely reactive. Test drivers consistently noted the cabin’s growing quietude as the system calibrated to road surfaces over time.
The nine-speed automatic transmission demonstrated remarkable deliberation in its duty. Shifts occurred with such seamless timing that the complexity of the powertrain assembly remained invisible to occupants. This cohesion between engine, motor, and all-wheel-drive system represented an engineering achievement that spoke to Mercedes’ maturation of hybrid V-8 architecture.
High-Tech Highs and Lows
The MBUX system, Mercedes’ upgraded infotainment platform, delivers a seamless user experience. However, the new Superscreen stretches across the dash from A pillar to A pillar and draws criticism for its stark appearance and susceptibility to fingerprints. While functional, it contrasts with the interior’s understated luxury. The optional Active Ambient Lighting, described by features editor Scott Evans as resembling a Berlin nightclub, further divides opinion at a price of $180,500 for this configuration.
Technology extends to the rear with twin 13.1-inch entertainment screens and wireless controls, ensuring passengers enjoy the same advanced features as drivers. Traditional S-Class luxury touches, like quilted leather and adjustable footrests, remain present. The Manufaktur trim offers extensive customization, though its value depends on personal preference for bespoke details. From the rear passenger perspective, the S580 emerged as a quiet triumph. The combination of active suspension tuning and the vehicle’s inherent mass created a floating sensation that made highway travel feel effortless. Body movements were absorbed without any perceptible delay or harshness. The twin 13.1-inch rear screens provided independent entertainment without taxing the main MBUX interface.
Comfort Engineering in Motion
The Manufaktur customization options revealed themselves most compellingly in materials selection rather than structural changes. Hand-crafted quilting patterns and unique stitching variations offered personalization without compromising the vehicle’s fundamental proportions. This approach to bespoke luxury maintained the S-Class’s understated dignity while acknowledging individual taste. From the driver’s perspective, the rear-wheel steering system proved invaluable during lane changes at speed. The 4.5-degree standard setting provided just enough assistance to make the large sedan feel agile without sacrificing stability. Larger wheel options, while visually striking, introduced a noticeable firmness that detracted from the overall refinement mission.