Mercedes-Benz’s flagship sedan, the S-Class, has received a major mid-lifecycle facelift that’ll launch in India in the late 2026 to early 2027 timeframe. The 2026 S-Class is claimed to be 50 percent new compared to the outgoing model, which is quite high as far as facelifts go. We delve into everything that sets the new and old S-Class apart.
2026 Mercedes Benz S Class facelift vs old model: Exterior design
Up front, the 2026 S-Class facelift sports reshaped headlights that incorporate tri-star LED signatures and are claimed to be 40 percent brighter than the prior model.
These flank a new grille that’s 20 percent larger and integrates slats of tri-star patterns, as well as an illuminated surround; the bonnet-mounted Mercedes-Benz emblem is illuminated too. Lower down, the bumper now has larger, enclosed air intakes.
The side profile of the 2026 S-Class facelift is virtually identical to that of the prior model, with the only differences being new 20-inch alloy wheels and cameras on the front fenders and outside rearview mirrors (ORVMs).
Not much has changed at the rear of the 2026 S-Class facelift either, save for a smoother profile for the LED tail-lamps (they get tri-star daytime running lamps too), a slimmer chrome band and a redesigned bumper.
2026 Mercedes Benz S Class facelift vs old model: Interior and features
Superscreen replaces wood-panelled dashboard
Inside, the 2026 S-Class facelift sees a substantial tech-heavy rework. The outgoing S-Class’s wood-panelled dashboard and 12.8-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen give way to a gloss-black full-width panel that integrates a 14.4-inch central display, a 12.3-inch passenger display and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display; Mercedes-Benz calls this setup the ‘Superscreen’.
An ambient lighting strip sits atop the dash and connects to identical strips on the doors, and there’s a new three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel with more physical controls. The AC vents at the extremities of the dashboard are now circular, while the central AC vents have been folded into the single-slat design above the Superscreen. Storage spaces and wireless charging pads in the centre console have also been updated in the 2026 S-Class facelift.
Circling back to the Superscreen, it runs the latest iteration of MBOS (Mercedes-Benz Operating System) and is touted as a ‘supercomputer’. Every function of the 2026 S-Class facelift has been integrated into the Superscreen, like the suspension, climate control, headlights, ADAS, powertrain, and more. The AI assistant now combines ChatGPT, Gemini and Bing for accurate responses.
Tech upgrades for rear occupants
The rear-seat experience is the defining factor for an S-Class, and the 2026 facelift brings a few notable upgrades here too. It features dual 13.6-inch entertainment screens for rear passengers; the 7-inch central controller tablet has been replaced by two phone-esque units, and heated seatbelts can be had as an optional extra. Elsewhere, it continues to offer 43.5-degree reclining seats with heating, ventilation and massage functions.
2026 Mercedes Benz S Class facelift vs old model: Powertrains
Entire engine line-up now meets Euro 7 regulations
The 2026 S-Class facelift retains the existing 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8, 3.0-litre turbo-diesel straight-six and 3.0-litre turbo-petrol straight-six engines but upgrades them to comply with Euro 7 emission norms. Even the 48V mild hybrid system assisting these engines has been upgraded to provide a stronger initial boost and smoothen the transition between coasting and engine power.
For the 2026 S-Class facelift’s petrol V8 (now dubbed the ‘M177 Evo’), Mercedes-Benz uses a flat-plane crankshaft with a new firing order, alongside dual balancer shafts to offset vibrations. Power output has been increased from 503hp to 537hp, while torque jumps from 700Nm to 750Nm.
For the petrol straight-six, the list of changes includes optimised intake and exhaust ports, a revised intake camshaft, increased insulation, and more. The updated diesel straight-six – christened ‘OM656’ – gets an electrically heated catalytic converter, among other upgrades. Plug-in hybrid variants of the 2026 S-Class facelift can also drive 100km on electric power – up 25km over the prior model.