2021 Toyota Camry vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to break away from its past reputation of being a generic sedan by incorporating more dynamic styling elements. The design featured flared wheel arches and sleek headlights and taillights, which helped to visually broaden the car. However, the SE and XSE trims were criticized for their excessive use of fake vents, adding unnecessary visual clutter. The LE and XLE trims offered a slightly cleaner grille design, though it remained quite large. The Camry was built on the TNGA-K platform, shared with other Toyota models like the Avalon and RAV4. The interior mirrored the exterior's chaotic styling, with a mix of contrasting materials and elements that lacked a cohesive design theme. Despite the low-rent feel of the materials, the Camry's interior offered a variety of trim elements, including contrast stitching and piano black plastic.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained its fantastic look from the previous year's complete makeover. The S-Class, a flagship sedan for Mercedes-Benz, continued to impress with its sleek and elegant design, characterized by a long distance between the front axle and the dashboard. This design choice contributed to the car's overall elegance. The S-Class's exterior was defined by its sleek profile, and the interior was equally impressive, featuring a waterfall of open-pore wood trim and a 12.8-inch touchscreen in the centre stack. The cabin was adorned with high-quality materials, meticulously fitted and assembled, providing a luxurious and comfortable environment for both drivers and passengers.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that delivered 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque with front-wheel drive (FWD), and slightly less with all-wheel drive (AWD). The XSE trim featured a dual-exhaust system, increasing output to 206 hp and 186 lb-ft with FWD. A naturally-aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine was also available, producing 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. The Camry Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with electric assist for a total output of 208 hp. The Camry's chassis tuning struck a balance between handling and ride quality, offering a surprisingly fun driving experience. The TRD package, introduced in 2020, added performance enhancements like lowered suspension and bigger brakes.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, particularly the S500 model, featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid engine with EQ Boost, providing 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The EQ Boost system added up to 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque during high-demand situations. The S580 model came with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine, also benefiting from EQ Boost. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD. Despite their weight, the S-Class models were quick off the line, with the S500 reaching 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and the S580 in 4.4 seconds. The S-Class offered a smooth and responsive driving experience, with impressive handling and braking capabilities.

The 2021 Toyota Camry provided generous rear headroom and legroom, though front headroom and legroom were below average. The front seats were adjustable and comfortable, with excellent outward visibility. Cargo space was 428 litres, which was average for a midsize sedan but less than the Honda Accord's 473 litres. In-cabin storage was limited, with small cupholders and door bottle holders. Toyota included analog controls for essential functions, improving ease of use, though some controls were a long reach from the driver's seat.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class excelled in providing a roomy and comfortable cabin, with powered sun blinds for second-row passengers and a Panorama Sunroof. The 510-litre trunk offered ample storage space. The cabin featured six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply for the second row. The front seats were equipped with rapid-heating active multicontour seats, lumbar support, and comfort headrests. Optional features included ventilated seats, heated armrests, and massaging rear seats. The Executive Rear Seating package, exclusive to the S580, offered luxurious amenities for rear passengers. The S-Class's doors opened wide, but soft-close functionality prevented slamming.

The 2021 Toyota Camry came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on the XSE and XLE trims. The system was functional but lacked standout features, with plain graphics and limited USB ports.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class boasted a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen interface for the MBUX infotainment system, offering superior image quality and energy efficiency. The 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel provided crisp imagery and customizable themes. Optional features included a 3D instrument cluster and augmented reality navigation. The Burmester 3D Surround sound system delivered high-fidelity audio, with an available 4D system adding headrest speakers. The S-Class also featured EQ Boost and rear-axle steering for enhanced maneuverability.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. It came with the TSS 2.5+ package, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. New features included enhanced forward-collision warning and a Rear Seat Reminder. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available as options.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with advanced safety features, including Magic Vision Control, adaptive cruise control, and active brake assist. The Pre-Safe systems prepared the car for imminent collisions, while car-to-x communication shared warning messages. Rear-passenger airbags and rear-seat belt bags were available for added safety.