{"id":99410,"date":"2024-01-05T23:46:02","date_gmt":"2024-01-06T07:46:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=99410"},"modified":"2025-11-13T03:05:24","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T11:05:24","slug":"top-5-mercedes-s-class-models-in-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/top-5-mercedes-s-class-models-in-history\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top 5 Mercedes S-Class Models in History"},"content":{"rendered":"\nReading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n

German automobile manufacturer Mercedes-Benz<\/a> is renowned for its high-quality luxury sedans, and the S-Class series offers some of its finest vehicles. Formerly known as Sonderklasse, <\/em>S-Class stands for “Special Class.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans are top-of-the-line, flagship models that often feature innovative technology that over time will make its way into smaller cars. These machines are characterized by their sleek and classy aesthetics, powerful performance, and excellent handling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This begs the question: which S-Class models feel the best to drive, feel the most reliable, and offer the best overall aesthetic? Let’s find out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mercedes-Benz W116 1972<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Mercedes-Benz released the W116 line in 1972, making it the first official S-klasse<\/em> model. Image credit: Mercedes-Benz Media<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the best Mercedes-Benz S-Class models of all time is the one that started it all. Mercedes-Benz released the W116 line in 1972, making it the first official S-klasse<\/em> model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mercedes-Benz W116 1972 remains an iconic vehicle to this day because it changed American drivers’ idea of luxury. The W116 featured a squatter grille with long, fluted, and horizontally positioned headlights. It also had wraparound taillights and a flat trunk surface. These styling elements became so popular that they were carried by Mercedes sedans well into the 90s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though its performance might be considered lacking by today’s standards, it was a very powerful and reliable vehicle for its time, rocking a 2.8L M110 inline-six engine. Later models of the same series reached new performance peaks with the introduction of newer engine types such as the 6.8 L M100 V8 in 1975.<\/p>\n\n\n\n