2026 Mercedes S-Class Points Its Fresh Nose and Starry Headlights at the Road

Unless you know nothing of the three-pointed star's flagship sedan's design, you won't need a side-by-side comparison with the current one to spot the novelties. First and foremost, the model's grille has been supersized. As a result, the new bumper has a smaller air intake in the middle, flanked by a pair of shrunken vents.

But we already knew that from our previous encounter with the 2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class at the end of May. So, what else is new? Well, we now get to see those fresh headlamps better or, better said, their new graphics. The Stuttgart automaker gave it several stars, and we think it's a great idea that needs to be adopted by other Mercedes vehicles.

Changes out back are more discreet and quite common, comprising the new bumper, a more discreet diffuser, reinterpreted tailpipe trim, and new taillights. We think the latter might be joined together by a thin light strip, which would replace the chrome element of the current car. The trunk lid soldiers on with the OEM logo in the middle and the model’s name on the left-hand side.

The current S-Class' interior is anything but outdated. However, we must remind ourselves that this iteration came out four years ago, and there have been significant technological advancements since then. Thus, it is safe to assume the three-pointed star brand has paid extra care to the portrait-oriented infotainment system and the tablet-like digital gauges behind the steering wheel.

Our guess is that new software might smoothen the two main screens and probably add some tech features. Certain outlets state that Mercedes could go the extra mile and give its flagship sedan the Hyperscreen in a reshaped dashboard panel. A tweaked center console, a new steering wheel, and additional minor revisions could round off the car's makeover on the inside.

We have yet to learn whether the brand's engineers have retweaked the 2026 S-Class' chassis with an emphasis on increased comfort. We also cannot tell you anything about the engine family, or can we? Well, it's a mid-cycle refresh, so in all likelihood, the 2026 Mercedes S-Class family will retain most assemblies, some of which might be slightly updated.

The same visual tweaks will eventually be adopted by the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which will probably debut a few months to a year after the regular Benz breaks cover. Speaking of which, the car manufacturer might unveil it in 2025, opening the order books on the other side of the pond shortly after its debut. In our market, it should arrive as a 2026 model.