2025 Mercedes-Benz S 450 e Lang

After almost 1,000 km of testing on European roads, motorways and winding secondary routes, our consumption sat at 2.2 l/100 km and 14.2 kWh/100 km, figures you would normally only expect from a much smaller plug-in, certainly not from a long-wheelbase S-Class limousine. And yet: the S 450 e Long convinced us on every level. We may still be fans of a strong S-Class diesel, but this hybrid version won our hearts in an unexpected way.

Technology and powertrain

Under the bonnet of this S 450 e Long sits a 3.0-litre straight-six engine, combined with a powerful electric motor. According to the technical data, the combined system output is around 408 hp. The system torque is impressive: up to 650 Nm. The combustion engine itself delivers around 450 Nm of pulling power at low revs.

The battery capacity is 21.96 kWh; with this battery and in combined use we achieved 107 km of electric range in realistic conditions, which is extraordinary for such a large saloon. The S 450 e charges from 10 to 80% at a DC fast charger in just 20 minutes, and via an 11 kW AC wallbox in around 2 hours 15 minutes.

Consumption and efficiency

The figures we recorded are astonishingly low for a car of this size: 2.2 litres of petrol per 100 km plus 14.2 kWh of electricity per 100 km. That means the hybrid setup lets you drive extremely efficiently, as long as you make optimal use of the battery pack. In full hybrid or petrol mode consumption naturally rises, but our test confirms that when you charge and use EV mode, the S-Class can be delightfully frugal, without sacrificing comfort or luxury.

Driving experience: luxury, calm and refinement

The S 450 e Long is genuinely an oasis on wheels. In the back you do not feel like a passenger, but like a monarch in residence. Thanks to the AIRMATIC air suspension the car floats over imperfections in the road surface (bumps, cobbles, potholes); you truly feel nothing. The car filters everything away as if you were riding on a cloud.

The rear-axle steering underlines that feeling even more. In city traffic or tight parking spaces you barely notice you are in a limousine almost 5.3 metres long: the rear axle steers along, which makes manoeuvring surprisingly easy.

And if you end up in a traffic jam or crawling along? Then you activate the massage function in the rear seats (in the Long version with executive equipment) and shut yourself off from the outside world. The silence in the cabin is impressive, no roar from the engine, no dominant wind noise, just calm. You sit in your cocoon, and everything outside seems momentarily unimportant.

Hybrid drive modes and ease of use

The S 450 e offers several drive modes, but what struck us most is how seamlessly it switches between electric driving and engine use. When the battery is still full, you can cover kilometres in silence, ideal for commuting or relaxed trips. As soon as the petrol engine joins in, you notice that the assistance is powerful and smooth, without jolts.

Thanks to very efficient regeneration you continuously top up the battery when braking and slowing down. Combined with the fast-charging options, this system feels surprisingly mature and future-oriented.

Comfort and luxury: a rolling five-star hotel

Step into the Long version and you immediately feel the difference. This is not just an S-Class, but a true limousine. In the back you have extended seats, soft leather combinations, high-quality finishing and a sense of space you only find in a handful of rare cars.

The quality inside is impressive: all materials feel solid, the finish is top-notch, and even after hundreds of kilometres everything still feels fresh. It is a spaceship, but one that invites you to relax, not to fly.

The silence helps too: the hybrid drivetrain and insulation meant that during long drives to the south of France we were barely aware of the outside world. In the back it felt as if we were in a private jet, not a car. The massage function reinforces that feeling, especially at low speeds or in traffic.

Why this might be the ultimate limousine

After this test of almost 1,000 kilometres we dare to say: yes, this S 450 e Long may well be the ultimate luxury limousine of today. Why?

• Exceptionally low consumption combined with a usable electric range.

• Generous and serene rear-seat experience thanks to AIRMATIC, massage and plenty of interior space.

• Efficient yet powerful: the 3.0-litre engine plus electric motor form a top team.

• Flexibility in use: short trips fully electric, long trips on petrol plus hybrid assistance.

• Chrome and style: Mercedes does not abandon its classic elegance; plenty of chrome details lend that timeless class a true S-Class deserves.

Admittedly, those looking purely for maximum sportiness will perhaps look sooner at AMG or performance S-Classes. But for anyone who wants to combine comfort, efficiency and pure luxury with modern hybrid technology, the S 450 e Long is a stunning choice.

AutoNext Verdict

With the S 450 e Long, Mercedes has created something very strong: a limousine layered with EQ technology, without compromising what an S-Class should be. It is a car that pampers drivers and passengers alike, a car in which you cover kilometres without noticing you are driving. A car that, in 2025, still embodies luxury, innovation and refinement.

Did we ever feel like saying goodbye to it? Not really. Because this is not a car you buy just for driving: you buy it because you want to experience your desires for comfort and sustainability in one package.

For us, the S 450 e Long is: the ultimate limousine.