Mercedes S-Class hybrid (2019-2020) running costs

Regular charging of the battery in the Mercedes S-Class hybrid will make visits to fuel stations vanishingly rare

S-Class charging
Overall rating

3.5 out of 5

Running costs rating

4.0 out of 5

Insurance groupWarrantyService intervals2021/22 company-car tax cost (20%/40%)
493yrs / unlimited miles1yr / 15,500 milesFrom £2,925 / £5,849

With a claimed fuel-economy figure ranging of up to 113mpg, running costs should be ultra-low, provided you can plug the S-Class in regularly to keep the battery topped up. Most home energy tariffs price electricity at around 12-14p per kWh, which means you can fully charge the S-Class plug-in’s 13.5kWh battery for less than £2. Using a public charger might cost more, but you’re unlikely to stop at one when you’ve got the petrol engine to fall back on.

The Benefit-in-Kind company-car tax savings could also be significant: the diesel version of the S-Class is taxed at a much higher rate

Mercedes S-Class hybrid insurance group

The Mercedes S-Class plug-in hybrid sits in one of the highest insurance bands there is: group 49 (out of 50) to be precise. Given the big list price, high power output and ultra-desirability of the S-Class, it won’t be cheap to insure. For anyone.

Warranty

The Mercedes S-Class plug-in hybrid comes with a three-year warranty, although there’s no limit on the mileage you can do in that time. This is standard across the Mercedes range, and covers any problem that might arise from a manufacturing fault.

Servicing

Mercedes recommends that the S-Class plug-in hybrid is serviced every 12 months or 15,500 miles, whichever comes first.

Road tax

The standard alternative-fuel road tax (VED) rate is £145 from the second year of ownership onwards, with the S-Class incurring an additional £335 supplement in tax years two to six due to its high purchase price. In other words, VED costs £15 for the first year, £480 for the next five, and £145 annually thereafter.

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