2027 Mercedes S-Class.

The image at the top appears to be the real thing. If so, this would be the very first look at the revised Mercedes-Benz S-Class for the 2027 model year (the 2026 model is already out).

As expected, this is not an all-new generation. Most of the visual changes appear to be concentrated up front, with revised rear lights as well. Inside, the dashboard is rumored to have been redesigned with new screens. Although, for once, they probably won’t be any larger, since they already stretch across nearly the entire dash.

In my unprofessional opinion, that new Mercedes front end looks really bad and terribly cheap. All that black plastic everywhere does not exactly scream luxury or craftsmanship. It feels more like cost-cutting disguised as “modern design,” which is never a good look on a six-figure flagship sedan.

The star-shaped LED elements are still a terrible idea as well. The black plastic surrounding the grille and headlights first appeared on the current E-Class sedan a few years ago. It seems Mercedes executives absolutely love it, and now it has made its way onto the flagship. Once again, a terrible idea. What may look almost acceptable on a lower model just looks wrong on an S-Class.

Sales of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan have been steadily shrinking in the U.S. since 2022. Which was actually a strong year with over 15,000 units sold. That figure dropped all the way to just 6,443 last year. I’m really not sure a new front end and a mildly revised dashboard will improve things much.

The once-great S-Class is starting to feel like a dinosaur. Something fewer and fewer buyers seem to want every year. Even its longtime Lexus rival in the U.S., the LS sedan, quietly exited the market a few months ago. Which says a lot about where this segment is heading.

Meanwhile, the S-Class is being crushed by the BMW 7 Series in the U.S., with over 11,300 units sold. That’s not only better than last year, but better than any of the past nine years. Clearly, buyers are responding to something BMW is doing right, even if it’s not the styling.

And personally, I think the current 7 Series is extremely ugly and borderline vulgar looking.

Which just goes to show how much I know.