SpookyTheFirst

Just tested an S class 2021 version today. I already have the W222 V8 biturbo, but this one with small V6 diesel engine.
First impression: huge, impression that comes from a hood that seems very high and very high doors too.

The comfort of the seat is better than the previous one in my opinion, in particular for the lumbar tuning with much larger ranges. We feel even more in a cocoon than before.

Very nice interior decoration I think. Responsive touchscreen.
Soundproofing (most important for me) excellent, hard to say if better or not than the previous version.

Defaults:
- the “diamond” finish of the turn signal switch... hurts your finger
- the parking radar beeps for no reason, I even had to go out twice to check if I had as little room to maneuver as she said ... (she was wrong)
- rain sensor works poorly
- many buttons do not move and are sensitive to pressure, unpleasant because you have to press harder than mechanical button
- rear camera does not retract (malfunction)
- central vents not aligned with the screen ... as I feared
- exterior door handles hard to operate (unpleasant)
- interior feels a bit more cheaper than previous version
- the ugly, non retractable front camera on the grille (this plastic plate of W222 was already ugly, it just gets worse)
- the ugly hood cut after the grille! definitely a setback compared to W222...(see below)

Generally, the impression she left was this is quite like the previous version.... more modern, with some small unpleasant details (which sometimes scream money saving) and some other nice improvements.

hyperion667

Well okay! The first customer review! That's a nice interior shot you got there. Think you go ahead and order one? Do you live in Canada? Looks beautiful in the background

SpookyTheFirst

Actually I live in Switzerland, which indeed is a nice place!

I may buy a used one in 1 or 2 years when prices have dropped.
Regarding the noise, it was hard to figure out how it compares with w222 but I just noticed she had 19’ wheels (Pirelli Sottozero Winter) while I have 18’ on my S Class, so it could have been quieter in 18’.

some night club style pics I took...

Kaloteck

Nice wheels, but other than that... It looks kinda... strange. Especially inside.

Wolfman

Thanks for the first impressions!
This is the nicest S350 I have seen from the inside. Those have always been bare bone to say the least.
I agree that the front camera could have been designed much more elegantly. I wonder if there were a lot of issues with the opening camera covers in the W222..

SpookyTheFirst

At least I never had any problem with my W222, but maybe they need a fixed camera for Level 3 autopilot.
On another topic, I did not feel any striking difference when parking with the 4WS, in particular regarding the turning radius, which it is supposed to decrease (although I was unable to find any coherent information on how much decrease).

hyperion667

Never been to Switzerland! Feel free to share pics of your awesome country anytime

Wolfman

Since you are from Switzerland (even if on the French-speaking side) I can post this Used to live in Chaumont by Neuchâtel



The reduction with rear wheel steering is significant. Depending on which one of the two rear wheel steering angles you have, the difference is as much as 1.9 meters less (75 inches).
I am not sure if the front camera is used for level3. There is no perfect solution for hiding the radar on the traditional grill. The new S63 will be easy as the star is perfect for hiding that. Beats BMW & Audi with the visible radar setups.

SpookyTheFirst

Neuchatel, this is incredible!
But as you mentionned, this is the french speaking side and I am not so good in German...

Anyway this is interesting to put your table in perspective with the turning radius of the W222 which is ranging from 11.6 to 12.9 m. So indeed between 1m to 2m less. However, I am not sure if I had 10 or 4.5 degrees when I tested.

Wolfman

Do you have the window sticker or configuration sheet? That car as you have it could be configured with either option. In the US, the AMG Sport Package would only be available with the 4.5 degree one...

Streamliner

I have to say that seeing these real life photos, really leaves me underwhelmed, especially with the exterior. The front end looks so busy and yes, that camera looks ridiculous. Couldn’t they at least have centered it? The OP’s comments about the exterior door handles are exactly what I was thinking. I love the handles on my W222 and these automatically extending/retracting handles are such a nod to Tesla that I find them disappointing at best. Why change something perfect? If I hear aerodynamics I think I’ll hurl. The extended “snout” looks like an afterthought. I could see something like this on a C Class, but on the S? Looks cheap and tacky to me. The offset vents on the dash also look like an afterthought. They look as though the whole interior had met final design approval when someone asked “where are the center air vents?” The idea of pressure sensitive buttons to control various functions is not a pleasing thought, as the OP pointed out. Were these a cost saving measure or did somebody at MB really think they were better than what they have in the W222?

Honestly, I believe that a younger cadre of designers has made it to the senior levels of decision making at MB, and we are seeing changes made for the sake of change, not necessarily improving the product and quite possibly diluting it. Why throw away so many, outstanding design elements from the W222, only to replace them with something “new and improved,” that doesn’t work as well or look as good?

The “high fashion” studio photos of the W223 that were released by the factory made this new car look way better than it does out in the wild, at least to me. Oh well.

js_cls

Looks great, although not a fan of those wheels, otherwise a nice and elegant looking car, much better than anything coming out from Lexus, BMW, Audi or Genesis. Interior also looks good, although I'd love to see a brighter color such as Saddle Brown or Macchiato Beige.

SpookyTheFirst

Here is the sticker and a bunch of additional pics which you may find interesting.
I forgot to mention that I found the ventilation noise coming from the central vents a bit too noisy.

MBNUT1

The interior looks terrible. Very cheap looking.

Wolfman

Thanks! That explains why you don't feel a difference in the turn radius. Don't don't have any Rear wheel steering option on the car
That would be option 201 or 216. The Spec sheet is also wrong. The Light package is already included in the Premium Plus package. PYP is actually the rear seat package (Executive Fond-Paket). I assume you also have the original AMG wheels that came with the car. Those are winter package wheels.

I forgot Swiss pricing...They have always been horrendous. But great used car deals 20% off for a newly released demo model is pretty strong...

Wolfman

Sounds like you have never seen a European W222 S350 While tastes differ on the new S design elements, this is nicer than most S-Classes we have driven in Europe. Swiss cars are usually nicely spec'd...

places

Thanks for the review. That's the first of many I believe on this forum. I will wait until there are more in. Also would like to see and touch one in the flesh.

SpookyTheFirst

I am surprised because the mechanic asked me if I noticed the effect of the rear wheel steering... don’t you think it may be different on European versions? Maybe the indicated VIN can help?

Wolfman

Unfortunately I don't know of a way to check the Swiss VIN. The VIN is not compatible with US checkers. Call the dealer and have them print out the options sheet.
RWS is not part of a package and it's a CHF 1620 option that is not listed on the spec sheet. But then there were errors on posted sheet as well. You will need to confirm. Here is the Swiss options/price list for your info that breaks down the packages.

SpookyTheFirst

Maybe I was able to decode it, here is what I got....

Wolfman

Interesting. I guess the VIN worked with the last digit missing.
That said, same info. No rear wheel steering that I can see.

Wolfman

One disappointment for me. I believe that virtually nobody likes the black center console. I was hoping that it would be metal and not cheap plastic like the C & E Class had but this clears that up: 726 Center console - High-gloss black IMD plastic (2C00)

Streamliner

Me too! For several years starting with the 2017 model of the E Class, the center console was high gloss black, regardless of which wood trim was ordered, which I found really disappointing and cheap looking. Even when they made a matching wood center console available, which I believe wasn’t until 2019, several wood trim choices still had only a gloss black center console. In our 2019 E450 Wagon, with the $4,900.00 optional Designo Nappa Leather interior, with the Designo Black Lacquer “Flowing Lines” trim, which was another $1,300.00 option, the center console is a mass of gloss black. I’ve been told that that piece is “Piano Black” wood, but I have real doubts about that and personally think it is plastic, which really is disappointing in such an expensively optioned interior. In an S Class—regardless of the trim ordered—it is absolutely unacceptable. It picks up every fingerprint, seems dusty all the time and just looks CHEAP!

MBNUT1

That is absolutely true. I have not seen a European W222 S350.I think the "wood" trim looks fake and as you pointed out the gloss black is a disappointment. I have seen other shots of the wood trim portion that looked much better. Additionally the soft trim looks very vinyl like.

Wolfman

I believe that Mercedes is just struggling with vendors due to COVID. Limited color, interior leather and trim choices. Same for E-ABC. Europe doesn't even have the S580 at all. Same with steering wheels. 2 Center console choices vs 7 on the E-Class