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A front view of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 4MATIC.

Courtesy photo

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A back view of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 4MATIC.

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An interior view of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 4MATIC.

Courtesy photo

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An interior view of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 4MATIC.

Courtesy photo

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An interior view of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 4MATIC.

Courtesy photo

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An interior view of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 4MATIC.

Courtesy photo

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There are sedans and then there are sedans with the 2022 version of the Mercedes S580 definitely in the later category, coming with more luxury and creature comforts than even we would have imagined was possible in a vehicle. And after driving so many different cars, we can imagine a lot!

When we say that the S580 surrounds the driver and passenger in complete and total comfort, that is exactly what happened. We have had some very nice seats in the past in different models, but nothing that compares to the techno wizardry in the Mercedes.

In fact, when Craig was out one day in the Mercedes doing visits with his co-worker Shellie, they got a call from the fleet company that had provided us the S580 and asked if we were comfortable in the “rolling couch.” This seemed a very fitting description as just sitting in the Mercedes made a Sunday on the couch feel like sitting on a hardwood picnic bench!

The seats not only had massage, as we would have expected, they would adjust to make anyone comfortable — lumbar, side bolster, bottom seat, back and head rest were all completely customizable. The massage had more settings available than our home microwave, allowing us to ride with our personal masseuse. Oh, and did we mention that the driver and passenger could have their seat do a different massage? So we guess that really means two masseuses along for the ride!

Also added to the S-Class seats was energizing seat kinetics — quite a phrase at that, but what did it mean? The seats would adjust in multiple ways during a drive with this feature turned on, using one or a combination of the 19 different seat adjustment motors.

This feature is to help the occupant with their circulation and well-being on any length of drive. The first time we turned them on, Deanne exclaimed, “My seat is moving; however, I really like it.” It works extremely well as, no matter how much time we spent inside the Mercedes, we came out relaxed.

Lastly, of course, they were not done with the seat; they were also hooked up to the Burmester high-end 4D sound system and would vibrate to the deep bass notes along with having small ear-level speakers inset into the headrests that would not only enhance the sound system but would transfer navigation information to the driver only as not to interrupt the other occupants.

Speaking of the sound system, Craig thought that back in the day he had the ultimate system in his first car. However, Mercedes has really done it right with the Brumester 4D system. With sound coming from a total of 30 speakers that are driven by two amplifiers into 37 separate output channels, it would be hard to find anything to compare without it being a totally custom-installed system.

After the comfort, it was the technology that made the day in the S class sedan, as there is now a huge, 9.4-by-8.6-inch OLED central infotainment display controlling all the essential functions throughout the vehicle.

Along with the infotainment display is a 11.5-by-4.3-inch driver’s display that can also be configured to suit any driver’s needs. However, when we put the navigation onto that screen, it appeared as if we had 3D glasses on whenever we peeked at it. It was the coolest display we had ever seen in a vehicle. When we were driving near that lake, the sun would reflect off the surface on the animated screen version, even coming from the position of the sun for the time of day we were driving.

This is all done through an eye-tracking technology that works in real time, allowing for the 3D effect to happen without the use of glasses, and it is only visible to the driver.

If those were not enough screens, there is also a huge, full color heads-up display that will project navigation information, speed, road signs and even the edge of the lane when the driver wanders close.

Using the included adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, which worked together to keep the sedan centered in the lane and safely distanced from the car in front of us, when we need to change lanes on the freeway, the Mercedes would project an arrow onto the screen indicating where the S580 was headed.

It would then check all the surrounding vehicles and their placement and safely make the lane change when it could with no steering input from us. It was the closest to a self-driving car that we have come to yet and would put any guests in the vehicle on edge during their first experience in the Mercedes.

The S580 is equipped with a very nice 4.0-liter V-8 bi-turbo engine that would provide 496 horsepower and 516 foot-pounds of torque. Needless to say, we were never lacking in power, with the full-sized sedan moving almost coupe-like when called upon to do so.

Over the weeklong test drive, we were able to manage what we thought was a nice 19.5 mpg.

Of course, the “Hey, Mercedes” technology was ingrained in the S580, giving us a personal assistant to communicate any and all wishes to the car. If we wanted a different color on the inside ambient lighting, all we had to do was ask Mercedes and she would comply.

She would try to give us answers to all our questions if we started with the phrase “Hey, Mercedes,” as she can now answer questions about general knowledge. The system is also now able to incorporate voice recognition and will with time identify individual users. Once learned, a voice only can activate personal driving profiles. She can also tell where the command came from or which seat the speaker is communicating from.

Comfort and technology find their way to a new high in the Mercedes S580, combining to make a driving experience not soon to be forgotten. However, this kind of comfort did come with a price.

Base price: $117,700

Destination price: $1,050

Price as driven: $130,190

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