2026 S-Class SHOCK! How Extreme is Mercedes' Makeover?!

Mercedes-Benz is calling the 2026 S-Class facelift the "most comprehensive" in its history, and while some changes are welcome, others leave me scratching my head. The venerable S-Class, once the undisputed king of luxury sedans, has been feeling the pressure lately, and this refresh aims to recapture some of its lost glory. But does it succeed? Let's dive in.

2026 S-Class SHOCK! How Extreme is Mercedes' Makeo...

On the outside, the most noticeable change is the option for an illuminated grille – and I'm just not a fan. Look, I get it, Mercedes wants to appeal to markets like the US and China, where bright and shiny things are often prized. And sure, the illuminated Mercedes star on the hood might impress some. But personally, I find it a bit much. It feels like we're entering an era of excessive lighting, and I'm not sure it's a direction I want to see cars heading. The new headlight clusters, featuring a twin-star design similar to the CLA, are a nice touch, as are the triple stars in the taillights. The new 20-inch multi-spoke wheels, made with a high-pressure casting technique for a thinner and lighter design, are genuinely impressive. And the AMG Line Plus package does add a sporty edge for those who want it. So far, so good.

Unfortunately, the interior is where things start to fall apart for me. The pre-facelift model had a certain understated elegance, a sense of calm and sophistication. That's all gone now. The 2026 S-Class is dominated by the new MBUX Superscreen, a massive expanse of glass that combines the 14.4-inch multimedia and 12.3-inch passenger screens. The 12.3-inch instrument panel remains, but the overall effect is… overwhelming. Maybe I'm just getting old, but all those screens crammed into the dashboard just feel like clutter. Elegance used to be synonymous with the S-Class, but this "screen clutter" eradicates that concept. I can't help but think that less is more, especially in a car that's supposed to be a sanctuary of calm.

On the usability front, Mercedes has at least addressed some criticisms. They've thankfully reintroduced physical buttons for things like cruise control, which is a welcome change from the frustrating touch controls of the past. And of course, with so much screen real estate, Mercedes has added a whole host of entertainment options, including Disney+, YouTube, RIDEVU, and Amazon Music. The S-Class also now boasts "artificial intelligence," utilizing ChatGPT-4o, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini. And let's not forget the Digital Vent Control system, because why not? It seems Mercedes is throwing everything and the kitchen sink at this facelift, hoping something will stick. Time will tell if this over-the-top approach will resonate with buyers, but personally, I'm left feeling that the S-Class has lost its way a little. Sometimes, the best updates are the ones you *don't* make.