- The new Mercedes S-Class gets a leather-free option.
- It uses a combination of leatherette and textile.
- Customers won’t 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 images almost always spotlight the most lavish, fully loaded versions. As someone with a healthy obsession with entry-level models, I was curious to see how the new S-Class looks before a single option box is ticked. Thankfully, Mercedes wasted no time firing up the German configurator. Lo and behold: an S-Class with zero extras.
This entry-level S-Class won’t be coming to the United States for two main reasons. First, America 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 genuinely didn’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 leatherette for the side bolsters with a textile made from linen and recycled polyester for the seat centers. White piping outlines the seats, adding a subtle visual contrast, while the door cards are wrapped in artificial leather with diamond quilting. Buyers who still prefer the real thing aren’t left out, though, as genuine leather in an all-black finish is available as a no-cost option.
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
Even without a single extra added, this is still a six-figure car. In its home market, the facelifted entry-level S-Class starts at €109,220, which translates to nearly $130,000 at current exchange rates. US pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but the outgoing long-wheelbase S500 started at $120,850 before options.
On paper, the US-spec model may seem like the better deal, but the comparison isn’t entirely fair. European prices include value-added tax, which in Germany amounts to 19 percent, a significant chunk baked into the sticker price.
The base S-Class rides on 18-inch wheels and comes finished in gray, though German buyers can switch to black at no extra cost. While the passenger display is an optional extra on some recent Mercedes models, it’s included as standard here. One subtle update compared to the pre-facelift car 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
Motor1’s Take: It’s refreshing to see Mercedes embrace an animal-free interior, even on its flagship sedan. Just as important, the brand doesn’t force customers to pay extra for leather, treating alternative materials as a legitimate choice rather than a cost-cutting compromise.