![]() ![]() Is the S 580e hybrid a good value? Few cars on the road today can offer the level of luxury and premium appointments as the S-Class. Opt for this and you can plug in and charge at speeds up to 60 kW, which Mercedes says can get you from 10% to 80% battery capacity (or around 35 miles using our test result) in 20 minutes. The S 580e is also one of the few plug-in hybrids that we've come across that offers optional DC fast charging. Over the course of the rest of our test, we saw wide-ranging fuel efficiency running in hybrid mode (with the EV battery depleted), but it ultimately averaged to about 32 mpg, which is also quite good. This feat included a significant amount of uphill grade, so it's possible the S-Class is capable of even more if it's running on free-flowing level ground. We also ran our test S 580e on our evaluation route and managed to go 51 miles of pure EV driving before the gas engine kicked on. The EPA estimates that it can go 46 miles using pure electric power, which is impressive for a plug-in hybrid. How economical is the S 580e hybrid? The S 580e's main attraction is its powerful yet efficient powertrain. All manner of wind and road noise is hushed to the degree that you can have a whisper-quiet conversation even at highway speeds. And it's not just the lack of noise from the hybrid powertrain it's also how the S-Class is able to insulate you from the outside world as well. ![]() And even when you've run out of battery juice and the engine kicks on, you'd be hard-pressed to notice that transition even with the sound system off. The S-Class' typically vault-like cabin achieves a new level of quiet when it's running on electric power alone. It also had radiant heated armrests and four-zone climate control, making the rear seats just as comfortable as the front, if not more so. Our test vehicle had a combination of packages that included power-adjustable, heated, ventilated and massaging rear seats with a footrest. The standard heated and massaging front seats are supremely comfortable, with supportive but soft cushions and tons of adjustability. How comfortable is the S 580e hybrid? The S-Class has built a reputation for being one of most comfortable vehicles on the road, and the S 580e plug-in hybrid is no different. Add the optional rear-axle steering to the mix and the improvements in high-speed stability and low-speed maneuverability almost feel like cheating. It keeps the car composed around turns when you need it and lets it move and breathe freely when the road isn't perfect. We wouldn't expect such a large sedan to handle as well as this S-Class does, but the standard air suspension performs some real magic. The automatic transmission works quickly and near seamlessly to place you in the right gear at all times, as the transition between electric and gas power is almost imperceptible. The S 580e's generous and instant low-end torque means easy driving in every scenario and quiet passing power whenever you need it. What are they putting in those electrons these days? And even though the hybrid outweighs the V8 model by about 600 pounds, it managed to outstop and outcorner its higher-cylinder sibling as well. We confirmed the S 580e's superior speed at our track, recording a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds, a few tenths quicker than the V8-powered car, and it maintained that lead through the quarter mile. The result eclipses both the power and torque of the V8-power S 580. The S 580e combines Mercedes-Benz's super smooth turbocharged inline-six with an electric motor. ![]() How does the S 580e hybrid drive? If you're someone that likes to have your cake and eat it too, well, you've come to the right bakery. ![]()
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