When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Anyone see the facelift that they did for 2027? They for sure listened to customers/owners like us who hated the new design that made the car look like a Tesla and more like an E-Class from the outside! The bigger unified screen is so much better than what they had before in 223, and they updated the exterior nicely to make it more like 222 than 223. I saw a nice video someone did on it and showed it to my wife and she said "When your warranty expires, we're getting one of those." It will be perfect timing as my warranty ends is April 2031 and the 2028 models will be coming off lease.
Well done, they actually listened to their customers that were not fans of the 223!
I agree on the part that the facelift is an improvement over the pre-facelift in certain aspects. It was an easy task in some areas. They were definitely listening as far as the previous interior and that tablet design. While it is an improvement in certain areas, it is hard to tell if that makes it great now or not yet. Keep in mind that the issue with the pre-fl was not only the tablet design, it was the interior build quality especially for those coming from the 222.
As far as exterior design, am glad you find it nice now. I will keep my thoughts for myself for now, but the pre facelift was perceived as boring/unattractive, so maybe the facelift will address this part.
I really think Mbenz listens to their customers cause they many so many changes not just a subtle facelift.
I saw a walkaround with an AMG package and big improvement IMHO, but of course until you see one in person you never know. When I first saw the W223 while picking up my car, I thought it actually looked worse than the pictures I had seen, and the interior was not at same level. Sales dude saw me lurking around it and knew I was picking up an S-Class and wanted me to go for test drive..ah nope, those screens are unacceptable. I drove a Model S in 2014 why do I want this?
I hope/think they have listened to that feedback as well. I saw Car Nut on YouTube do a review, and he was really clear about how cheaply put together the interior was with those Tesla-like screens.
Yes, I do like the facelift W223 as well. However, I'm not sure if I love or prefer it over facelift W222s . W223s had to be that way from their introduction .
Yes, I do like the facelift W223 as well. However, I'm not sure if I love or prefer it over facelift W222s . W223s had to be that way from their introduction .
I saw a walkaround with an AMG package and big improvement IMHO, but of course until you see one in person you never know. When I first saw the W223 while picking up my car, I thought it actually looked worse than the pictures I had seen, and the interior was not at same level. Sales dude saw me lurking around it and knew I was picking up an S-Class and wanted me to go for test drive..ah nope, those screens are unacceptable. I drove a Model S in 2014 why do I want this?
I hope/think they have listened to that feedback as well. I saw Car Nut on YouTube do a review, and he was really clear about how cheaply put together the interior was with those Tesla-like screens.
Yeah Car Nut is one of the best reviewers and he really went in detail with his review on that one. Interesting part is that every single point of creak and rattle he showed was one that is VERY common in the car and reported by many folks online and also one that I myself was able to replicate too. Really sad build quality
Your story about declining to test-drive it isn't the 1st I heard. My salesman was telling me many of the lease-return owners refused to even give it a chance for their next trade. Do u think the facelift has a better chance to be perceived better by the S fans; at least interior looks like a real S not c-class vibe? I think starting with the ipad/tablet design in the pre facelift 223 was the main issue for the interior after the creak... Most people disliked the pre-facelift 223 it even before they discovered the poor interior build quality, right?
There you go… may not be everyone’s cup of tea for sure, but u know compared to the pre facelift, almost anything can be an improvement. Let’s just hope they fixed the interior build quality for creaks and rattles for now.
Sure hard to compared to the 222 exterior and cabin..but keep in mind how the pre-facelift 223 looked anyway as a baseline.
I have to admit that the exterior of the W222 is damn near perfect. But I think thet this looks way better outside and the interior is way better than pre-facelift. I will be interested to see one on the floor of the dealership when I go for my A service in October...funny my local dealership in Redwood City, CA has dropped their A Service to $299, down from closer to $400 so I plan to do it there.
I have to admit that the exterior of the W222 is damn near perfect. But I think thet this looks way better outside and the interior is way better than pre-facelift. I will be interested to see one on the floor of the dealership when I go for my A service in October...funny my local dealership in Redwood City, CA has dropped their A Service to $299, down from closer to $400 so I plan to do it there.
They haven’t sold many units with the pre facelift and it caused a disaster in sales. So many things need to be improved, particularly, the technology. I mean we are in 2026 and they are still pushing 2026 model year with no phone as key? That’s acceptable for the W222 generation given the timeline when it was launchd, but at least 5 years behind in 2026 on many things like that. I think they are counting a lot now on the facelift for the 2027 model year to save the reputation of the S. Again i think the most important aspect is the interior build quality and fixing all the creaks and rattles of the interior that was in the pre facelift 223.
They haven’t sold many units with the pre facelift and it caused a disaster in sales. So many things need to be improved, particularly, the technology. I mean we are in 2026 and they are still pushing 2026 model year with no phone as key? That’s acceptable for the W222 generation given the timeline when it was launchd, but at least 5 years behind in 2026 on many things like that. I think they are counting a lot now on the facelift for the 2027 model year to save the reputation of the S. Again i think the most important aspect is the interior build quality and fixing all the creaks and rattles of the interior that was in the pre facelift 223.
My '25 has virtual car key, I have it in my Apple Wallet. (I haven't checked MY26 but I doubt they removed it after 1 year?)
It constantly pops the door handles when I walk by with my phone, it's annoying.
I still take the physical key when I drive the car, nonetheless.
It constantly pops the door handles when I walk by with my phone, it's annoying.
I still take the physical key when I drive the car, nonetheless.
Oh sorry to hear that it’s not working well. They should add a feature called ‘Exclude Home” like other manufacturer, just for unlocking, until at least you touch the handle.
My '25 has virtual car key, I have it in my Apple Wallet. (I haven't checked MY26 but I doubt they removed it after 1 year?)
It constantly pops the door handles when I walk by with my phone, it's annoying.
I still take the physical key when I drive the car, nonetheless.
Turn off passive entry but then you need to put the phone on the handle via NFC, passive entry is using MST. alternatively, turn off bluetooth and location and keep passive entry on until you need it.
Oh sorry to hear that it’s not working well. They should add a feature called ‘Exclude Home” like other manufacturer, just for unlocking, until at least you touch the handle.
no worries as the door isn't actually unlocked, it just pops out the door handles when it detects phone nearby but door remains locked, popping out door handle will drain the battery of the car and eventually it gives up and retracts despite a key is nearby.
Phone as key was added in 25, my 24 doesn't have it. 26s have it also.
The physical smart key being sensed nearby pop out the door handles anyways, one thing that is different is you usually set your key aside at home but you have your phone when you walk around the house all the time which triggers the digital key.
The physical smart key being sensed nearby pop out the door handles anyways, one thing that is different is you usually set your key aside at home but you have your phone when you walk around the house all the time which triggers the digital key.
This is where mbenz is far behind… like way far behind. Other manufacturers have technology software feature that allows you to “exclude” home for these features, meaning, the door or mirrors or door handles do NOT respond to the key approaching (physical key or phone) if you are at home, until you touch the door handles. But, they work normally outside of home. Also, the auto lock features would work just fine at home. So that really solves all these issues. Mbenz is just as always living 5-8 years in the past.
Wondering though, does the W223 2020-2024 have “standard walk-away automatic locking function” as you are leaving away from the car? Please don’t tell me it does not? Do you have to get the key and click and/or touch the handle just like the 2014 design in W222?
This is where mbenz is far behind… like way far behind. Other manufacturers have technology software feature that allows you to “exclude” home for these features, meaning, the door or mirrors or door handles do NOT respond to the key approaching (physical key or phone) if you are at home, until you touch the door handles. But, they work normally outside of home. Also, the auto lock features would work just fine at home. So that really solves all these issues. Mbenz is just as always living 5-8 years in the past.
Wondering though, does the W223 2020-2024 have “standard walk-away automatic locking function” as you are leaving away from the car? Please don’t tell me it does not? Do you have to get the key and click and/or touch the handle just like the 2014 design in W222?
I still remembered samsung and MB partnered with the digital key thing via NFC back in 2016, that never came to NA not sure if they learned something from that partnership at all.
The W223 does not have walk away lock at all nor any MBs.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
