2012 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid

It's still the least expensive S-Class, but the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid (Base MSRP: $91,850) is no longer the fuel-efficiency king of the S-Class. That title now belongs to the new-for-2012 Mercedes-Benz S350 Bluetec (Base MSRP: $92,550) all-wheel-drive turbodiesel: It's 4 mpg more miserly than the hybrid, and slightly quicker to 60 mph, too.

The hybrid doesn't see any changes for this year. It's built on the rear-wheel-drive S-Class sedan platform, with the same plush, composed ride and silent cabin in tests. It also gets the same finely crafted interior and plethora of standard and optional luxury features.

The S400 Hybrid undercuts the price of other luxury brands' flagship hybrid sedans, but all of those rivals are more powerful -- including the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 (Base MSRP: $97,000 to $101,000), 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid (Base MSRP: $95,000) and 2012 Lexus LS 600h L (Base MSRP: $112,750).

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates

• City: 19 mpg

• Highway: 25 mpg

• Combined: 21 mpg

NHTSA Safety Ratings

• Not rated

IIHS Safety Ratings

• Not rated

For additional details, see our review of the 2010 model

The Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid hasn't changed in the past two years. For a complete analysis of this hybrid luxury sedan, please see our report on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid.