2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Facelift Breaks Cover With New Styling, Improved Powertrains, AI Tech

Mercedes-Benz is celebrating its 140th anniversary, and coinciding with this landmark moment is the debut of the 2026 S-Class facelift. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class facelift brings comprehensive upgrades to the luxury saloon as part of a mid-life-cycle update for the current generation (W223) model. The new S-Class features comprehensive upgrades and is said to be 50 per cent newer than the outgoing model. Mercedes states that the S-Class facelift gets 2,700 components which are newly developed or re-engineered on the car.

2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Facelift: Design

The new S-Class looks identical to the current model but there are notable visual changes, including several innovations. The grille is now 20 per cent larger, while the traditional slats now come with chrome stars. The grille’s frame also gets a subtle illuminated bezel, while the tri-star atop the bonnet is now illuminated as well. There’s more of the three-pointed star with the new headlamps, which are not only larger but feature the tri-star-shaped LED DRLs. These also use the new micro-LED Digital Light tech, which offers up to 40 per cent of better illumination, while consuming lesser energy.

The profile remains the same, and so does the wheelbase options. You get the car in standard and long wheelbase (the one sold in India) versions globally. There are new alloy wheels with the special 50-spoke units, which use a new high-pressure casting technique. The rear remains identical too, but there are three-pointed star theme features in the taillight cluster, similar to the E-Class. Notably, the new S-class gets three stars as opposed to two stars on the E.

2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Facelift: Interior

The cabin gets comprehensive changes moving to a more tech-induced layout. The wooden inlays and brushed accents on the dashboard have made way for a new ‘Superscreen’, which combines the 12.3-inch driver and front passenger displays with an all-new 14.4-inch central touchscreen system. The latter replaces the vertically stacked unit on the predecessor and now comes with the latest MB OS digital architecture.

Mercedes says the new central screen unifies all the key functions on the car, including the lighting systems, cameras, powertrain, and the suspension. It also incorporates AI and cloud computing to power the onboard digital assistant, which now uses ChatGPT, Gemini, and Bing to provide answers. There’s also navigation via Google Maps, and V2X functions. The S-Class now identifies as a software-defined vehicle, which means it will get over-the-air (OTA) updates over time.

2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Facelift: Level 2++ ADAS

The S-Class facelift packs more tech and is now equipped with Drive Assist Pro, allowing for full self-driving (FSD) in select markets - starting with the US and China . The company has added more tech in the form of 10 cameras, five radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors, which enable the more advanced ADAS functionality. Mercedes is now offering the 4.5-degree rear-axle steering as standard, while the 10-degree version will be available as an option. The automaker has further packed an adaptive air suspension with active, self-levelling option.

In profile, the changes are harder to spot. There are new wheel designs, including intricate 50-spoke units created with a new high-pressure casting technique, as well as new standard paint shades, many borrowed from the Manufaktur exclusive catalogue. There are more sensors all around too – 10 cameras, five radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors – all to serve the significantly upgraded ADAS tech. At the rear, the major changes are slimmer tail-lamps which, like the E-Class, now incorporate three-pointed star LED motifs into their signature.

2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Cabin Upgrades

The cabin further gets upgrades with the new 13.1-inch rear entertainment touchscreens, which now come with integrated cameras, allowing you to take video calls or Zoom meetings on the move. The dashboard also features a selfie-camera for the same purpose, which also enables facial recognition and monitors the cabin in parked mode. The rear seat experience is further enhanced with two smaller individual touch controls, identical to smartphones, replacing the tablet style unit placed in the centre armrest. Another big change are the individual air vents on the dashboard replaced with slim metal strips, while the air vents on either end are rather beautifully designed. Much like the E-Class, the AC vents can be electrically adjusted on the new S-Class.

The S-Class facelift brings back some of the buttons, including a knurled scroll wheel and toggle switch on the steering wheel, as well as  capacitive shortcut keys with haptic feedback below the screen. The wireless charger has been moved from inside the storage space to an open tray, and there are now two wireless chargers at the front, while the rear gets a third. The long wheelbase version continues to get the 43-degree reclining function, along with ventilation and massage. The S-Class can be had in either four or five-seater configurations.

2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Engines

Mercedes has updated the existing engine options on the 2026 S-Class, which are now revamped to meet the upcoming Euro 7 emission regulations. The saloon continues to get the six-cylinder petrol and diesel engine options, along with the petrol V8. All engines continue to get the 48-volt mild hybrid tech, and a starter motor generator (SMG), bringing torque boost at lower rpms. The engines also carry the ‘Evo’ suffix.

The 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 has seen a big update and has moved to a flat-plane crank design with a new firing order and dual balancer shafts to offset vibrations. The motor now produces 530 bhp and 750 Nm. The OM 656 Evo six-cylinder diesel has received comprehensive changes with an electrically heated catalytic converter to meet the new norms. The plug-in hybrid version now promises an electric-only range of 100 km, up from 75 km earlier.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class facelift is slated to make its way to the Indian market either by the end of 2026 or early 2027. The luxury saloon remains one of the most desired cars, and while the new tech now dominates the cabin, it still exudes ‘class’ in the segment. The new S-Class will continue to compete against the BMW 7 Series in the segment.