2023 BMW 7 Series vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained its stunning design from the previous year, following a complete makeover that was widely praised. Despite the growing popularity of SUVs, the S-Class continued to make a strong case for the luxury sedan with its sleek, elongated profile and elegant design elements. The car's lineage was evident in its proud Mercedes-Benz grille and star hood ornament, which added a touch of sophistication. Inside, the S-Class offered a luxurious cabin with high-quality materials and a distinctive dashboard featuring a 12.8-inch touchscreen and a separate 12.3-inch digital instrument panel.

In contrast, the 2023 BMW 7 Series introduced a bold new design language, particularly noticeable in its front-end styling with an oversized grille and split lighting elements. While initially polarizing, the design grew on observers over time. The profile maintained the classic 7 Series silhouette, and the interior embraced a modern, minimalistic approach with a broad horizontal layout and high-quality materials. The cabin featured a curved glass housing for the instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen, and the rear seats offered a luxurious experience with options like a reclining seat and a theatre screen.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder engine in the S500 model, producing 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, supplemented by the EQ Boost system for an additional 21 horsepower. The S580 model featured a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic AWD, offering impressive acceleration with the S500 reaching 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and the S580 in 4.4 seconds. Despite its weight, the S-Class delivered smooth handling and powerful braking, making it suitable for both commuting and pleasure driving.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series, specifically the 760i xDrive, featured a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with 536 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. The eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth gear changes, and the handling was sportier than the S-Class, with a slightly stiffer ride. The 7 Series offered a more engaging driving experience, especially in Sport mode, which enhanced cornering and steering responsiveness.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class excelled in providing a spacious and comfortable interior, with features like powered sun blinds, a Panorama Sunroof, and a 510-litre trunk. The front seats offered rapid-heating, multicontour adjustments, and optional upgrades for added comfort. The Executive Rear Seating package enhanced the rear passenger experience with reclining seats and additional controls. However, the wide-opening doors could be challenging to close from a seated position, though soft-close functionality mitigated this issue.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series offered generous interior space, with power-operated doors that could be cumbersome. The front seats were comfortable with extensive adjustments, and the rear seats provided ample room, especially with the lounge seating option. The standout feature was the 31.3-inch rear entertainment screen, though its central placement could cause neck strain. The trunk offered 388 litres of cargo space, slightly larger than the S-Class, and interior storage was adequate but not abundant.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen with the MBUX infotainment system, offering superior image quality and energy efficiency. The 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel provided customizable themes, and the optional 3D instrument cluster added depth. Augmented video for navigation and an available augmented reality HUD enhanced the driving experience. The Burmester 3D Surround sound system delivered high-fidelity audio, and the rear-axle steering improved maneuverability.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series came with iDrive 8, featuring a curved display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system offered extensive features, it was criticized for its complex menu structure. Voice controls helped mitigate this issue, but the system was less intuitive than previous versions. The standard Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System provided excellent audio quality, and the optional theatre screen had usability challenges.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with advanced safety features, including Magic Vision Control, adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, and Pre-Safe systems. These features prepared the vehicle for potential collisions and enhanced driver assistance. The S-Class also offered rear-passenger airbags and other executive-level safety upgrades.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series included standard safety features like frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The optional Advanced Driver Assistance package added lane departure warning and a hands-free driving system for highways. The adaptive cruise control was smooth, and the highway driving assistant reduced driver fatigue. BMW planned to introduce a level 3 automated driving system in some markets.