Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes S-Class (2014-2020) review - MPG, CO2 and running costs

Despite the high purchase prices, the S-Class needn't cost a fortune to run

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs rating

4.2

How we review cars
RRP
£98,605 £247,845
Find your Mercedes S-Class
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

With prices starting comfortably in excess of £72,000, the S-Class isn’t exactly cheap to buy; and, if you get a bit friendly with the options list, the price can rise to well over £100,000. However, despite the price tag, the S-Class shouldn’t cost you the earth to run.

Under the official testing regime, the S 350 d returns more than 50mpg and emits 139g/km of CO2, while the S 500 L averages just over 40mpg, and even the S 63 returns 32.1mpg. The S 560 e mild-hybrid is claimed to be the most economical, returning 113mpg. Those are impressive figures, given how big the car is and how fast it can go.

Depending on how you use the car, of course, those figures could be very different. The economy will certainly plummet, if you delve into the available performance, for example. 

Insurance Groups

Insurance for the S-Class range starts at group 46 for the S 350 d, and goes up with your potential to go faster. The S 500 is in group 48, and the two Mercedes-AMG models are in group 50. That may look pretty hefty, but in fact the groupings are no worse than for comparable models from BMW and Audi. 

Depreciation

All luxury cars have a reputation for losing value on an epic scale. If ever that’s not true in relative percentage terms, then it certainly is in terms of hard cash. The basic principle seems to be that the more you spend on your new S-Class, the more you stand to lose when you sell the car on.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In best-selling S 350 d form, though, we think the new S-Class should match the previous model’s 44 per cent residual value after three years.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    S350d L 313 AMG Line Premium 4dr 9G-Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £98,605
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    S450e L AMG Line Premium 4dr 9G-Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £111,345
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    Maybach First Class S680 4Matic 4dr 9G-Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £221,150
Select car

New & used car deals

Mercedes S Class

Mercedes S Class

RRP £94,645Used from £47,109
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,848 off RRP*Used from £7,649
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,568 off RRP*Used from £12,295
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,310 off RRP*Used from £12,420
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Ford Fiesta to return? Icon could be reborn as re-nosed Volkswagen ID.2
Ford Fiesta facelift - front cornering

Ford Fiesta to return? Icon could be reborn as re-nosed Volkswagen ID.2

VW’s sales and marketing boss considers Ford tech share “very successful” – and won’t rule out future projects
News
30 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025