Mercedes-Benz W221 S-Class: Hidden Gem

For the price of a used Toyota Camry you could get a 510-horsepower monster that knows how to do luxury.

When it comes to style, extreme luxury, and speed, no one does it better than Mercedes-Benz. The S-Class has always been the automaker’s showcase for high-tech gizmos and robust powertrains. And thanks to a little thing called depreciation, buyers can hop into a W221 S600 for the same price as a used Toyota Camry!

But should you? That’s the question that YouTuber Tavarish is here to answer in a new video. Spoiler alert – you totally should.

High-end luxury vehicles tend not to age well, but Tavarish believes the W221 S600 is still a looker today. “In my personal opinion this car has aged very, very well,” he says. “I think this is the best looking Mercedes S-Class ever made.” While that’s high praise for the sedan’s looks, Tavarish does admit that the majority of drivers won’t agree with this statement.

Still, for all that grunt under the hood and cutting-edge tech, there’s a lot to like on the inside too. The interior isn’t quite on par with Bentley or Rolls-Royce, but it’s still incredible. Upon getting into the S600, Tavarish says that the sedan “is one of the best automotive experiences I’ve ever had.” And that can be attributed to the gadgets at his disposal.

While it would take forever to list the S600’s complete list of goodies, Tavarish is impressed with the sedan’s full LED gauge cluster, dual-zone climate controls front and rear, reclining and massaging rear seats, and much more. “So unless you’re running a rub-and-tug parlor in the back of your Accord, you’re not anywhere near this sort of comfort in anything in this price range,” he says.

ALSO SEE: W116 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Focuses on Driving Pleasure

The interior may be the highlight of the vehicle, but the S600 hides a party trick under its hood. And that’s a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V12. And while it may have a lot of weight to lug around, the car’s still quick. “It [the engine] just puts you back in your seat and it is just relentless,” says Tavarish. The ride is also extraordinary. “The way this car rides is unlike anything I’ve ever encountered especially for this low of a price point.”

For approximately $15,000, the W221 S600 is in a league of its own when it comes to a used car. Seriously, where else can you get a twin-turbo V12, massaging seats, and enough luxury to never want to fly again for that price? To hear all of Tavarish’s thoughts on the S600, check out the video above.