If you’re a luxury-sedan shopper who is unconcerned with cylinder count, we have some good news for you: The Mercedes-Benz S-class just got significantly more affordable.
The 2018 S450 starts at $90,895, a $6700 discount over the 2017 S550. But before you call Benz generous, know that the lower model number has repercussions under the hood. Instead of a twin-turbo 4.7-liter V-8, the S450 borrows the also twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 from the compact C43 and bolts it to the much heavier S-class. Perhaps you can adjust to 362 horsepower from 449, but the S450’s 369 lb-ft of torque isn’t going to replicate the S550’s majestic 516 lb-ft. But for those with a light right foot, an S450, or the S450 4Matic (add $3000), may be more than enough.
For those not interested in an S-class with fewer than eight cylinders, the 2018 S560 (replacing the S550) starts at $100,895, a $3300 increase over last year (4Matic adds $3000). For that, owners get a smaller twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 but one with the same 516 lb-ft of torque as before and a 14-hp bump to 463 horsepower. The same engine swap occurs in the Maybach version, where the S560 4Matic (no rear-wheel drive available) is $169,595, $2400 more than last year’s S550.
At $148,495, the 2018 AMG S63 drops its 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8 for a higher-output version of the 4.0-liter, good for 603 horsepower (up from 577) and the same 664 lb-ft of torque. The seven-speed automatic is replaced by a nine-speed. T...