carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $103,708–$134,915 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class at 7.1/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 9.2/10, while Value at 5.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.2/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The 8.5/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance at 6.7/10 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. The cabin tech earns 9.2/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $103,708–$134,915, 20 MPG, seating 5, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sits in the luxury tier of the sedan market. The value score of 5.5/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a passable sedan but not a standout one. Weaknesses in performance and reliability and value hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
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 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class ranks #982 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 25% of the segment. Its 7.1/10 overall score is 0.4 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $103,708 starting price is about 275% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class scores 6.9/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 7.1 — and starts roughly $10,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| 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 (this review) | 7.1/10 | $103,708 | |
| 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 → |
Explore the full lineup of Mercedes-Benz models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.