India, May 22 -- Mercedes-Benz has given the S-Class one of its most significant updates yet. The 2026 facelift has a bolder design, smarter tech and a stronger push towards electrification.

The first thing you notice is the new face. The grille is larger and more eye-catching, filled with tiny three-pointed stars that can light up. It's a move away from the understated elegance of the previous car, though the classic standing star on the bonnet - still offered in India - adds a touch of tradition. The new headlights and tail-lights carry a subtle star motif as well, giving the car a distinctive night-time signature. From the side, however, it remains unmistakably S-Class: Long, flowing, imposing.

Inside, the changes are more meaningful...