- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
4.0TTeC/15kW, 8 cyl.
- Engine Power
370kW, 700Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 10.8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2022 Mercedes-Benz S580L review: Australian first drive
A V8 mild-hybrid has joined the Mercedes-Benz S-Class limousine line-up six months after the new generation was introduced locally.
- Power
- Refinement
- Roominess
- Hesitation when moving from rest
- Mild-hybrid does little to reduce fuel consumption
- Lacks a volume dial. Over-reliance on the touchscreen
Is the Mercedes-Benz S580L a good car?
Six months after the new generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class went on sale in Australia, a new flagship has arrived in showrooms.
The Mercedes-Benz S580L is a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 backed by a small hybrid-electric assistance system, delivering the most powerful combination so far locally in the latest limousine line-up. A V12 Maybach and high-powered AMG versions are due to follow.
The Mercedes-Benz S580L starts from $335,100 plus on-road costs and option packs, compared to the $245,000 and $270,000 starting prices for the six-cylinder S450 and S450 L.
Key details | 2022 Mercedes-Benz S580L |
Price (MSRP) | $335,100 plus on-road costs |
Rivals | Audi A8 | BMW 7 Series | Lexus LS |
What is the Mercedes-Benz S580L like inside?
The L in the Mercedes-Benz S580L name means long wheelbase. The extra length between the front and rear wheels delivers a roomier back seat than the regular S-Class.
A large vertical touchscreen dominates the centre of the dashboard and there is a widescreen digital instrument display in front of the driver.
A large colour head-up image displays key information in the driver’s line of sight.
Ambient lighting in numerous colours sets the mood at night – or can be switched off – and the leather seats have soft cushions on the head rests for added comfort.
External visibility is good thanks to the wide-view side mirrors and large glass area.
The door pockets (front and rear) have sufficient oddment storage and there is a generously-sized twin-lid centre console.
2022 Mercedes-Benz S580L | |
Seats | Five |
Boot volume | 535L |
Length | 5289mm |
Width | 1921mm |
Height | 1503mm |
Wheelbase | 3216mm |
How big is the screen in the Mercedes-Benz S580L?
A 15-speaker premium (Burmester) 3D “surround sound” 710W audio system is standard, as is wireless smartphone charging and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Digital radio and AM/FM frequencies are standard.
The audio quality is excellent (although there is better again on dearer variants).
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The infotainment touchscreen is not as user-friendly as buttons and dials (which are conspicuous by their absence), especially when on the move.
Is the Mercedes-Benz S580L a safe car?
In addition to a comprehensive list of crash-avoidance technology, all long wheelbase versions of the new-generation Mercedes-Benz S Class come with 12 rather than 10 airbags.
There are two extra airbags (one behind each front seat) that are designed to protect back-seat occupants in the two outboard seats.
This type of rear-facing airbag for back seat passengers is believed to be a world first, and is in addition to the two frontal airbags and two side airbags for front seat occupants, side airbags for rear-seat occupants, full length curtain airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, and a centre airbag between the front seats.
Low- and high-speed autonomous emergency braking is standard, as are blind zone warning, lane-guidance assistance, a 360-degree camera view and front and rear parking sensors.
The accuracy of lane-keeping systems varies markedly across different automotive brands. Mercedes-Benz tends to be among the more accurate systems, however the technology still only works about 60 per cent of the time (depending on visibility and the quality of the lane markings) and can be quite aggressive when it intervenes.
Therefore the same warnings apply. Drive does not recommend drivers rely on this technology. It is designed as a back up for distracted drivers – but even though only works part of time. It’s best to drive as though it doesn’t exist.
To the letter of the law, regardless of the promise of what the technology can offer, the driver must remain in control of the vehicle.
2022 Mercedes-Benz S580L | |
ANCAP rating | Untested |
How much does the Mercedes-Benz S580L cost in Australia?
It’s always difficult to measure the value of top end luxury cars because the beauty – and the budget – are in the eye of the beholder.
Objectively, it is hard to justify such a high price tag for the Mercedes-Benz S580L because much of the technology, space, and comfort is available on the cheaper Mercedes-Benz S450L.
The other challenge: the Mercedes-Benz S580L is not as efficient as the 'hybrid' label might suggest.
The S580L’s twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8-powered mild-hybrid (10.8L/100km) is about 24 per cent thirstier than the six-cylinder S450L (8.7L/100km), based on the fuel rating label averages published by Mercedes-Benz. And it insists on 98-octane premium unleaded.
At a glance | 2022 Mercedes-Benz S580 L |
Warranty | Five years / unlimited km |
Service intervals | 12 months or 25,000km |
Servicing costs | $3350 (3 years), $4700 (4 years), $6750 (5 years) |
Warranty is five years/unlimited kilometres, service intervals are 12 months/25,000km.
The servicing costs are astronomical even though, presumably, the S580 requires an oil and filter change as per most motor vehicles.
The cost of routine maintenance over three years is $3550, or $4700 over four years and $6750 over five years.
Fuel Consumption - brought to you by bp
Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 10.8L/100km |
Fuel type | 98-octane premium unleaded |
Fuel tank size | 76L |
What is the Mercedes-Benz S580L like to drive?
As you might expect, the Mercedes-Benz S580L is a serene experience behind the wheel.
The V8 can barely be heard, and the reflexes of the car are intended to be slightly muted, so as not to upset the guests in tight turns or on take-off.
As such, the S580 can feel a bit slow to react at first – to the steering or the accelerator pedal.
Even though Mercedes-Benz claims a brisk 0 to 100km/h time of 4.4 seconds, this is nevertheless a two-tonne-plus car, so you can feel its mass once you start to push on.
The S580 is quiet by most standards but not silent; Australia’s coarse-chip roads make that a difficult challenge even for luxury cars with ample sound-deadening and thick glass.
The refinement is generally excellent although, oddly, the nine-speed auto did clunk or shunt a number of times during our preview drive when needing to change down a gear or two.
It happened on several occasions in different examples of the S580, so presumably Mercedes-Benz has some homework to do on transmission calibration.
This might seem a harsh or unusual criticism, but we would make the same observation if it happened to any car.
It just so happens this occurred on a very expensive luxury car constructed by engineers who know better. Hopefully there is a running update to the software that can be applied at a later date.
The absence of a volume knob for the infotainment system is annoying because it is quicker, easier and safer to reach over and adjust the volume that way – while keeping your eyes on the road – than it is to touch or swipe the controls on the steering wheel, or fumble with the infotainment display.
Presumably these displays – and these decisions – are made in the comfort of a design studio or an office.
Because if the bean counters and executives had to decide whether or not there was a volume knob on a car that is supposed to have everything – while trying to operate a touchscreen when the vehicle is on the move – they would likely make a more sensible decision.
Key details | 2022 Mercedes-Benz S580 L |
Engine | 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol, 48-volt mild-hybrid and electric compressor |
Power | 370kW @ 5500rpm |
Torque | 700Nm @ 2000-4000rpm |
Drive type | All-wheel drive |
Transmission | Nine-speed torque converter automatic |
Power to weight ratio | 181kW/t |
Weight (tare) | 2040kg |
Turning circle | 12.8m (standard) 10.9m (optional rear-wheel steering) |
Should I buy the Mercedes-Benz S580L?
Although there is work to do on the smoothness of the transmission, the Mercedes-Benz S580 is an impressive – if expensive – limousine.
If you want a similar experience while using less fuel, save $65,000 or so and opt for the six-cylinder S450L.
Despite the mild-hybrid label, the V8-powered Mercedes-Benz S580L is still very much an example of conspicuous consumption.