2021 Mercedes-Benz S580 Sedan 4MATIC

Mercedes-Benz’s handsome S-Class sedan, redesigned for 2021, has a lot to offer—as should any car whose price tag easily crests $100K. For one thing, this full-size flagship sedan is as pleasurable to drive or ride in as any car on the road. The 4.0-liter twinturbocharged V8 (496 hp) and integrated electric motor, which can power all 4 wheels depending on driving conditions, proved both responsive and refined. The standard adaptive air suspension makes for a remarkably smooth ride. Our test car’s optional rearwheel steering setup added to the S 580’s agile handling. Inside, the S 580 is the epitome of opulence and style. The design is elegant, and the hushed passenger cabin is lined with the finest materials. Technology abounds, from a 3D augmented-reality head-up display to massaging seats (10-way programmable) to dynamic ambient lighting. It’s here that the S 580 stumbles a bit—it’s a car clearly designed by engineers who asked "Can we add (insert feature)?" rather than “Should we?” Examples include a complex infotainment system, hard-to-use steering-wheel controls, and numerous in-vehicle driver distractions, such as tutorial videos on driver fatigue.