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Mercedes-Benz of Music City | Nashville, TN
MotorTrend Car of the Year
2027
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Here is what the judges found, what it means for the entire Mercedes-Benz brand, and how to experience the winner at Mercedes-Benz of Music City.
The Short Answer
MotorTrend’s editors and guest judges named the 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Car of the Year for its quiet cabin, comfort and surprising agility for a large sedan. It adds a redesigned 530 horsepower V-8, a 576 horsepower plug-in hybrid with 45 miles of electric range, and standard 4MATIC® all-wheel drive.
530 hp
S580 V-8
4.0L twin-turbo mild-hybrid
576 hp
S580e
Plug-in hybrid
45 mi
All-electric range
Plug-in hybrid
4MATIC®
All-wheel drive
Standard on every U.S. model
The Award
What Buyers Tell Us
“I want a flagship sedan that feels serene on the highway, but I do not want it to feel big and numb on a winding road.”
What the Judges Found
MotorTrend’s editors and guest judges praised the S-Class for exactly that mix: a quiet cabin, real comfort and surprising agility for a large sedan. A Car of the Year win is an independent verdict that the car delivers on its promise, and it is the reason this flagship is on so many shopping lists.
The only way to confirm it is behind the wheel. Schedule a test drive at Mercedes-Benz of Music City.
+34 hp
S580 V-8 power
Output rises from 496 to 530 horsepower for 2027.
533 lb-ft
V-8 torque
The redesigned 4.0L twin-turbo V-8 delivers 533 lb-ft of torque.
~20%
Larger grille
The redesigned grille is about 20 percent larger, with an illuminated frame.
The Verdict
Three strengths carried the S-Class to the top, and each one is something you can feel in the first mile.
Quiet
The judges singled out the quiet cabin. The redesigned V-8 adds to it: they found it smooth, quiet at idle and stronger in real driving than the numbers suggest.
Comfortable
Air suspension is standard. The tested car also had the optional E-Active Body Control, which uses road data shared by other connected Mercedes vehicles to prepare for bumps and potholes.
Agile
Judges liked the Curve drive mode, which leans the car into gentle bends. Standard rear-axle steering gives this large sedan a tight turning radius.
Choose Your Powertrain
| Model | Powertrain | Power | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| S500 4MATIC® | 3.0L inline-six | See dealer for output | Standard 4MATIC® all-wheel drive; nine-speed automatic |
| S580 | 4.0L twin-turbo mild-hybrid V-8 | 530 hp and 533 lb-ft (up from 496 hp) | Redesigned V-8; smooth, quiet at idle and stronger in real driving than the numbers suggest |
| S580e | Plug-in hybrid | 576 hp | 45 miles of all-electric range with the more powerful motor |
Every 2027 S-Class has a nine-speed automatic, and 4MATIC® all-wheel drive is standard on every U.S. model. Features, options and pricing vary by trim; see dealer for details.
New For 2027
Design
The look stays true to the S-Class, with a grille about 20 percent larger and an illuminated frame. An illuminated hood star is optional. New star-shaped daytime running lights are standard, and wheels now range from 19 to 21 inches.
Technology
The headlights show blue accents when the car is in hands-free driving mode. The updated self-parking now works in garages and angled spaces, and it can pull the car out of a spot.
Performance
The S580 gets a redesigned 4.0-liter twin-turbo mild-hybrid V-8 with 530 horsepower and 533 lb-ft of torque. Prefer six cylinders? Choose the 3.0-liter inline-six in the S500 4MATIC® or the S580e plug-in hybrid.
The Gallery
Photos only go so far. Schedule a test drive at Mercedes-Benz of Music City and see it in person.
The Bigger Picture
The S-Class is the flagship of the lineup, so a Car of the Year title shines a light on everything the three-pointed star stands for.
Flagship
The S-Class is where Mercedes-Benz shows what it can do. When MotorTrend’s judges reward its quiet cabin, comfort and agility, that recognition reflects the engineering and craftsmanship behind the Mercedes-Benz name.
Connected
Optional E-Active Body Control uses road data shared by other connected Mercedes vehicles to prepare for bumps and potholes. The S-Class benefits from the wider Mercedes-Benz fleet on the road.
Choice
A V-8, an inline-six or a plug-in hybrid with 45 miles of electric range, and 4MATIC® all-wheel drive standard on every U.S. model. The star even shapes the design, from the new daytime running lights to the optional illuminated hood star.
Mercedes-Benz of Music City in Nashville, TN carries the Mercedes-Benz lineup, so you can drive the Car of the Year and compare it with the rest of the family in one visit. Our team can walk you through each S-Class powertrain and help you find the right fit.
Your Next Step
The 2027 S-Class is waiting at Mercedes-Benz of Music City in Nashville, TN.
Prefer to talk? Call 615-724-6262 or browse S-Class inventory.
Questions Answered
MotorTrend named the 2027 S-Class its Car of the Year, based on the verdict of its editors and guest judges.
The judges praised its quiet cabin, its comfort and its surprising agility for a large sedan. They also liked the redesigned V-8, the Curve drive mode and the standard rear-axle steering.
The S580 has a redesigned 4.0L twin-turbo mild-hybrid V-8 with 530 horsepower and 533 lb-ft of torque. The S500 4MATIC® has a 3.0L inline-six. The S580e is a plug-in hybrid with 576 horsepower. Every version has a nine-speed automatic.
The S580e plug-in hybrid offers 45 miles of all-electric range.
Yes. 4MATIC® all-wheel drive is standard on every U.S. model.
It is an optional suspension system that uses road data shared by other connected Mercedes vehicles to prepare for bumps and potholes. The car MotorTrend tested had it.
The grille is about 20 percent larger with an illuminated frame. New star-shaped daytime running lights are standard, an illuminated hood star is optional, and wheels now range from 19 to 21 inches.
Mercedes-Benz of Music City in Nashville, TN carries the Mercedes-Benz lineup. Schedule a test drive online or call 615-724-6262.
Read MotorTrend’s full coverage: The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Is the 2027 MotorTrend Car of the Year.
MotorTrend is a trademark of its respective owner. Mercedes-Benz and the three-pointed star are trademarks of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Features, options and pricing vary by trim and market; the options mentioned may cost extra. See dealer for details.
