Mercedes-Benz S-Class Generation 3 (2007–2009)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Generation 3 (2007–2009) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class — body generations

Generation Produced Facelift
Generation 2 2003–2006 —
Generation 3 2007–2009 —
Model-year brochures (4)

Model-year reference; equipment varies by market and trim. This is not a VIN build sheet. Browse library

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the S-Class

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

Engine Years in this model Also used in VIN builds ⓘ
Mercedes Benz 4.0L 8-cylinder 2018–2027 9 models 56
Mercedes Benz 3.0L 6-cylinder 2012–2027 23 models 28
Mercedes Benz 5.5L 8-cylinder 2001–2017 14 models 26

Mercedes-Benz S-Class fuel economy: every year & engine (EPA) →

Used Mercedes-Benz S-Class prices by year →

About this generation

The W221 was introduced in the autumn of 2005 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, with sales starting in autumn of 2005 and export to other markets beginning in 2006. Again there was a big change in design. The W221 S-Class made its North American premiere at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. The W221 is slightly larger in all dimensions than its predecessor, and it features three newly developed engines with up to 26% power increase.

The interior is completely new, all materials have been upgraded and make for a more luxurious ride, and the center console transmission gear lever has been replaced with a column-mounted shifter. New technological features on the W221 include an infrared Night View Assist feature and the latest Mercedes-Benz pre-collision system. The W221 features sharper exterior styling (most notably wide fender arcs) and technological improvements.

The W221 is the second consecutive generation of the S-Class to be solely produced in a sedan body style. Models sold in North America are the S450 (2008– , SWB and Canada only), S400 Hybrid (2010– ), S350 Bluetec 4MATIC (2012– ), S550, S600, S63 AMG and S65 AMG; other models to be sold outside North America include the S280, S350, S300, S420 CDI and S320 CDI. The first W221 model released in North America and Japan was the S550 (called S500 outside North America), with the S600 arriving in the following spring.

In the US for the 2010 model year, the S-Class received a facelift across the entire model line in mid-2009, with a new S400 Hybrid version. Daytime LED running lights were fitted to the outer edges of the bi-xenon lamp units. The rear end was accented with a total of 52 distinctively arranged LEDs in the two taillights. Gone are the body-coloured strips through the tail lamps. Other noticeable changes at the front of the car are a more pronounced arrow-shaped grille, a new front bumper with a light-catching contour, and a chrome strip below the cooling air intakes.

New, sleeker rear-view door mirrors with LED turn signals were also added. The exhaust tailpipes of all S-Class variants were visibly integrated into the rear bumper. The wheels were updated to more modern-style ones. Safety is also improved on most Mercedes-Benz models with the orange-coloured light reflectors mounted on the sides of the bumpers. The C-Class look at the front is removed. Some shiny chrome is added to the bottom of the doors and bumper.

The S550 can accelerate from 0– in 5.4 seconds. Despite weighing , the S65 AMG completes in 4.2 seconds. The S600 makes the same sprint in about 4.6 seconds. The brakes continue to become more advanced with the new Brake Assist Plus system monitoring for an impending collision and increasing braking if needed, while the Distronic Plus radar-guided cruise control can now bring the car to a complete stop. This system works in outdoor conditions; a test demonstration by Mercedes-Benz in a crash-test hall resulted in embarrassment for the company when a new S-Class crashed into the back of a stationary W220 S-Class.

This incident was later attributed to the radar system malfunctioning inside the radar-reflective (i.e. radar-confusing) steel test building where the event was filmed. Upscale department store Saks Fifth Avenue offered 20 special-edition S600 sedans for sale in its 2005 Christmas catalog. All 20 cars, priced at US$145,000 each, were sold on November 22, 2005, in under seven minutes. The Saks-edition S600 sedans were finished in a mocha black exterior with an almond beige interior and were the first examples of the S600 to be sold to private owners.

The S600s came with nearly every option standard.

Source: Wikipedia — Mercedes-Benz S-Class — Fifth generation (W221/C216; 2005), CC BY-SA.

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Year Recalls Complaints Most reported
2007 0 66 Power Train, Suspension, Electrical System
2008 0 24 Engine, Electrical System, Tires
2009 0 13 Electrical System, Unknown Or Other, Service Brakes

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

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