Is the Mercedes-Benz S580e the best luxury car on sale right now?

Mercedes-Benz S580e gets a weekend with us.

 The latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class with a mild hybrid power plant has arrived in Malaysia and it has been selling well since its launch in December 2021. With a slightly lower selling price of RM 698,744 when compared to its outgoing sibling (priced at RM 699,888) it was sold out in Malaysia even before we got to test drive it. 

Now, there is a rising waiting list and new buyers are willing to wait for this S580e as it remains technology filled with drive comfort and power delivery that leaves its rivals a little behind. 

Yes, the current two-year-old BMW 7 Series might be priced lower at RM 594,800 and the commanding-looking Audi A8 long wheelbase which is fully imported is priced higher at RM 880,000, but the three-pointed star remains Asia’s best-selling luxury sedan, model after model.

So now that you know the immediate rivals to this luxury filled new S-Class sedan is, let us enlighten you on its features and drive dynamics. Like the rest of the new Mercedes-Benz sedans, the exterior of this S-Class shares the same handsome proportionate looks. The only difference lies in its sheer size and added new safety features inside.

Step inside this well-appointed interior and you will notice a lot of new features. You get a technology-filled cockpit with a meter cluster that can be changed to suit your needs and mood. Plus you have a high-quality fitment and materials being used.

The material quality inside this S580e is a benchmark for luxury sedans, where it betters the interior of the BMW and Audi by a comfortable margin. There isn't a surface you can put your hand on that doesn't feel expensive to the touch. Not only the interior impresses us, the latest predictive touch panels on the steering wheel and center console are a dream to use. 

Seating comfort and luxury amenities are still class best and will not disappoint. In the rear there are two lounge seats which are powered to allow for slumber rides and great comfort for peak hour traffic journeys as most owners in Asia will be chauffeured.

This S580e is 5,125 mm long and 2,130 mm wide and 1,496 mm tall making it the largest sedan in its class. The long engine hood, the low, taut roof line and the sharp lines create a dynamic overall impression. Up front, LED headlights underscore the distinctive appearance.

Under the hood of this S580e is where the magic lies. It uses a 2,999cc turbocharged combustion engine that produces 367 bhp that works together with an electric motor that delivers 110 kW and 440 Nm of torque. This allows the S580e driver to get sports sedan-like acceleration of just 5.2 seconds while gliding along on air suspension to iron out all the Klang Valley road imperfections.

This S580e can be driven up to 100km in the city purely on battery power which is great for peak hour traffic commuting and also for reducing emissions. 

When driving after sunset, this S580e has the best lighting system to provide a great driver visual of the road ahead. The headlamps are equipped with ‘Digital Light’ which has three very powerful LED with light that is refracted and directed by 1.3 million micro-mirrors. This means the high beam assist is over 100 times more accurate and precise in delivering optimized illumination.

Inside the cabin, soft ‘Nappa’ leather covers the surfaces and provides quality luxury seating. Plus, there is also a light show with an amazing ambient lighting system that gets feedback from your use of ‘Hey Mercedes’ which is the vehicle's in-car assistant that waits for your command. Here the latest MBUX system is in use to provide even better voice commands.

We have to remind you of the Burmester 3D surround system that is provided as it delivers an acoustic experience that entertains, more so with the well-insulated cabin.

As with all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the PRE-SAFE suite of top features are included to provide passengers with the best possible safety in case of an unwanted accident.

It would seem that in one clean swoop, this S580e has trumped the current model BMW 7 Series and Audi A8 in efficiency, technology and most importantly cabin comfort and you can bet that BMW and Audi are not resting on their laurels. 

Mercedes-Benz S-Class 580e Specifications

Engine: In-Line 6-cylinder Turbo Hybrid

Capacity: 2999-cc

Gearbox: 9G-Tronic 

Max power: 367 hp at 5,500-6,100rpm

Max torque: 500 Nm at 1,600-4,500rpm

Top Speed: 250 kmph

0-100 km/h: 5.2 seconds

Selling Price: RM 698,744 

Also read: Mercedes-Benz may launch the electrified GLC in Malaysia soon