DecodedCars2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.
- Class
- Large Cars
- Body styles
- S450 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD, S550 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD, S600 4dr Sedan RWD, S63 Amg 4dr Sedan RWD
- Engines
- 5.5L 8-cyl, 5.5L 12-cyl turbo, 6.2L 8-cyl, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 17 combined · 14 city / 22 hwy
- Length
- 200–205.1 in
- Curb weight
- 4,619–5,038 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a large car offered with 4 engines (5.5L 8-cyl, 5.5L 12-cyl turbo, 6.2L 8-cyl and 6.0L 12-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 200 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 120-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,619 lb (S450 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (14 city / 22 highway), 7% worse than the 2009 large car average of 18.3 MPG, for an estimated $4,850 a year in fuel.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
What changed for 2009
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2008 S-Class — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 S-Class →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S450 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD | 200 in | 73.6 in | 57.9 in | 119.7 in | 62.6 / 62.2 in | 4,619 lb | 52/48 |
| S550 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD | 205.1 in | 73.6 in | 57.9 in | 124.8 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 4,630 lb | 52/48 |
| S600 4dr Sedan RWD | 205.1 in | 73.6 in | 57.9 in | 124.8 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 4,960 lb | 50/50 |
| S63 Amg 4dr Sedan RWD | 205.1 in | 73.6 in | 58.7 in | 124.8 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 4,751 lb | 50/50 |
| S65 Amg 4dr Sedan RWD | 205.1 in | 73.6 in | 57.9 in | 124.8 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 5,038 lb | 50/50 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S550 | 5.5L 8-cyl | Automatic 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 22 / 17 | -7% | $4,850 | 523 |
| S550 4matic | 5.5L 8-cyl | Automatic 7-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 21 / 17 | -7% | $4,850 | 523 |
| S600 | 5.5L 12-cyl turbo | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 / 17 / 13 | -29% | $6,300 | 684 |
| S63 AMG | 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic (S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 / 17 / 13 | -29% | $6,300 | 684 |
| S65 AMG | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 / 17 / 13 | -29% | $6,300 | 684 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2009 large cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (this car) | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2009 Audi A8 | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2009 Audi S6 | 16 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2009 Audi S8 | 15 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Used 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other S-Class years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 S-Class | 23 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 S-Class | 23 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 S-Class | 24 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 S-Class | 24 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 S-Class | 23 | 209.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 S-Class | 24 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 S-Class | 24 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 S-Class | 23 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 S-Class | 23 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 S-Class | 22 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 S-Class | 26 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 S-Class | 26 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercedes-Benz. How we calculate this →