Why do luxury cars smell so good?

• Mercedes-Benz was the first to introduce an in-cabin fragrance atomizer.
• Cars with these features can be customized in the climate control settings.

Do you ever wonder why some luxury cars smell so good? 

It may be the in-cabin fragrance diffuser that caught your nose’s attention. A few automakers use a bottle or cartridge of a fragrance that emits through the vents of the car. The type of scents vary by automaker, but some cars have different fragrances for you to choose.  

Car companies have been making cologne and perfume for personal use for many years, now they have a new and unique way to add scents to their vehicles. Automakers use the terms atomizer and diffuser interchangeably as they both use an oil they disperse into the air of the car.

Experiencing Mercedes-Benz AIR BALANCE 

Mercedes calls its in-cabin fragrance AIR BALANCE. The fragrance bottle is located in the glove box and connects to the vehicle, which allows the scent to flow through the interior.  

After test driving a Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid and trying the feature myself, I think it’s a really nice addition to the rest of the luxurious features of the car. The intensity of the scent can be adjusted on the center infotainment screen. The scent in the vehicle I had was AMG No. 63, which Mercedes says “resides between luxurious sandalwood and energetic ginger. With this extreme recipe, we have focused on the essentials to convey the travel experience of an AMG through a fragrance.”  

To my nose, it smelled like a high-quality freshener. While the fragrance is a nice fancy feature, I felt the smell tended to come and go and I would forget it was there sometimes. 

Another feature the AIR BALANCE system has is the ionization. It uses a charcoal filter and an ionizer to filter out dust and pollen to keep the air inside of the cabin clean. 

What other brands have interior fragrances? 

Lincoln has its version of in-cabin smells called “Digital Scent.” It’s available in the new Navigator and Nautilus models. It lets you choose between three scents, to use one at a time or all at once, if you’d like.  

BMW Ambient Air used to be offered in the top level 7-Series and X7 models but it was discontinued in the 2021 model year. Genesis Fragrance Scent Cartridge is available in select sedans and SUVs in that lineup. Rolls-Royce uses a self-titled Rolls-Royce Scent in its new Phantom models, while those lowly Ghost and Cullinan owners will have to wait. Audi also has an air quality package that disperses a fragrance.  

For most vehicles, the fragrance atomizer package is an additional option that can be added on higher level trims. The feature can be a bit pricey as only luxury vehicles use them. 

How long do they last? 

How long the scents last depends on a few factors. The most important being how often they are used and on the setting intensity. How often you drive will also dictate how much of the fragrance is used. While Mercedes has just one scent at a time, other brands have two to three you can use simultaneously.  

Once you run out, you will have to get a replacement at a dealership or buy it online.