- The new Mercedes S-Class gets a leather-free option.
- It uses a combination of laterite and textile.
- Consumers will not pay more for leather.
Automakers always put their best foot forward when unveiling a new car. Base trim levels are rarely featured in press photos, as official photos almost always feature the most lavish, fully loaded versions. As someone with a healthy obsession with entry-level models, I was interested to see what the new S-Class looked like before a single option box was ticked. Thankfully, Mercedes wasted no time in firing the German configurator. Lo and behold: an S-Class with zero extras.
This entry-level S-Class won’t be coming to America for two main reasons. First, the US only gets the long-wheelbase version. Second, diesel engines are off the table. For Germany, the base model is the S350D, which pairs a shorter wheelbase with a leather-free interior, something I honestly wouldn’t expect to see on a flagship luxury sedan. Mercedes claims the W223 facelift marks the first time an S-Class can be ordered without leather.
Instead of traditional hides, the upholstery combines leather for the side bolsters with fabric for the seat centers and textiles made from recycled polyester. White piping outlines the seats, adding a subtle visual contrast, while the door cards are wrapped in synthetic leather with diamond quilting. Buyers who still prefer the real thing aren’t left out, though, as genuine leather in a black finish is available as a no-cost option.
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
Even without a single extra, it’s still a six-figure car. In its home market, the facelifted entry-level S-Class starts at €109,220, which translates to around $130,000 at current exchange rates. U.S. pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but the outgoing long-wheelbase S500 starts at $120,850, before options.
On paper, the US-spec model looks like the better deal, but the comparison isn’t entirely fair. European prices include value-added tax, which is 19 percent in Germany, which is a significant part of the sticker price.
The base S-Class rides on 18-inch wheels and is finished in grey, although German buyers can switch to black at no extra cost. While a passenger display is an optional extra on some recent Mercedes models, it’s included as standard here. A subtle update compared to the previous facelift is the steering wheel, where Mercedes has ditched some of the touch-sensitive controls in favor of physical rollers.
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Source: Mercedes-Benz
Take Motor 1: It’s refreshing that Mercedes has embraced animal-free interiors, even on its flagship sedan. Just as important, the brand doesn’t force consumers to pay extra for leather, treating alternative materials as a legitimate choice rather than a cost-cutting compromise.
