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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $66,560–$77,081 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 6.3/10 — rated Fair. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 8.5/10, while Value at 4.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. Buyers should review the score breakdown carefully and consider higher-rated alternatives before committing.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 5.3/10 for reliability, this sedan trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.8/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.0/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. On technology it rates 8.5/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $66,560–$77,081, 10 MPG, seating 5, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sits in the luxury tier of the sedan market. The value score of 4.7/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Based on our scoring, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class underperforms its segment peers across multiple dimensions. Unless there's a specific reason it fits your situation — price, a particular trim's features, or availability — there are better-scored alternatives at similar price points worth considering first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class ranks #1302 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 1% of the segment. Its 6.3/10 overall score is 1.2 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $66,560 starting price is about 141% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the S-Class model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.3/10 | $121,385 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.1/10 | $117,850 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.2/10 | $114,314 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.0/10 | $110,779 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.1/10 | $107,243 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.1/10 | $103,708 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.0/10 | $100,172 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 6.8/10 | $96,637 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 6.9/10 | $93,101 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 6.8/10 | $89,566 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.7/10 | $86,030 | Read review → |
| 2014 | 6.5/10 | $72,800 | Read review → |
Other sedans at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Mercedes-Benz models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
