2023 Subaru WRX vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained its stunning design from the previous year, continuing to impress with its sleek and elegant appearance. Despite the growing popularity of SUVs, the S-Class stood as a testament to the enduring appeal of luxury sedans. Its lineage traced back to the 1954 "Ponton" models, and the 2022 version, part of the seventh generation, maintained its status as Mercedes-Benz's flagship sedan. The exterior was characterized by a long, low profile, with a distinctive distance between the front axle and dashboard, exuding elegance. Inside, the S-Class featured a luxurious cabin with high-quality materials, highlighted by a 12.8-inch touchscreen and a separate 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, offering a sophisticated and functional design.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, on the other hand, distinguished itself from its Impreza roots with a unique design that emphasized performance. The WRX's styling included a wide-body look, reminiscent of the first-generation WRX's box fender flares, and body cladding that linked it visually to other Subaru models like the Crosstrek and Outback. The signature hood scoop remained functional, feeding air to the intercooler. While the WRX's exterior conveyed its performance-oriented nature, the interior was more utilitarian, with basic materials designed for durability. The top Sport-Tech trim offered Ultrasuede upholstery and red stitching, but the overall cabin design prioritized functionality over luxury.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was engineered for both executive commuting and weekend driving pleasure. The S500 model featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder engine with EQ Boost, delivering 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, with an additional 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque from the electric motor. The S580 model boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine, also enhanced by EQ Boost. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD. Despite their weight, the S500 and S580 accelerated from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 and 4.4 seconds, respectively. Fuel consumption for the S500 was 11.4 L/100 km city and 8.0 highway, while the S580 consumed 14.3 L/100 km city and 9.5 highway.

The 2023 Subaru WRX offered a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It positioned itself between competitors like the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R in terms of power. The WRX featured AWD and a standard 6-speed manual transmission, with an optional Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT) CVT. The CVT provided quick throttle responses, though some found the simulated gear shifts jarring. The WRX excelled in grip and handling, thanks to its AWD system and standard summer tires. However, the driving experience was described as muted, with quiet exhaust and laid-back steering, making it a competent but less exuberant performer.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class excelled as an executive sedan, offering a spacious and luxurious cabin. Second-row passengers enjoyed powered sun blinds and a Panorama Sunroof, while the 510-litre trunk provided ample storage. The cabin featured six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply in the second row. Front seats were equipped with rapid-heating active multicontour seats, and options included ventilated seats, heated armrests, and massaging rear seats. The Executive Rear Seating package, exclusive to the S580, catered to chauffeured passengers with a 43-degree recline and power calf rest. The S-Class's soft-close doors added a touch of convenience.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, as a compact sedan, offered practicality with a bit more front headroom and legroom than a Honda Civic Si. However, the Civic provided more rear-seat space. The WRX's 354-litre trunk was smaller than some competitors, but it featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and roof-rack mounts. The WRX maintained good outward visibility, thanks to low window-sill lines and thin roof pillars. However, the cabin lacked a convenient spot for smartphones, with limited space under the touchscreen and in cupholders, making it challenging to charge or use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was a technological marvel, featuring a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen with the latest MBUX infotainment system. The OLED screen offered superior image quality and energy efficiency. The 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel provided customizable visual themes, and an optional 3D instrument cluster added depth. The augmented video for navigation and available augmented reality head-up display enhanced the driving experience. The Burmester 3D Surround sound system delivered high-fidelity audio, with an optional 4D system for an immersive experience. The S-Class also featured EQ Boost and rear-axle steering for improved maneuverability.

The 2023 Subaru WRX came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, offering standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Base models had dual 7-inch touchscreens, while higher trims featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The larger screen was appreciated for its readability, though physical buttons were missed. The interface was generally user-friendly, but SiriusXM satellite radio required multiple steps. The top Sport-Tech trim included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. However, the system's startup time for SiriusXM was notably slow.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Magic Vision Control for optimized windshield spray. Driver assistance features included adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, and active brake assist. The Pre-Safe system prepared the vehicle for imminent collisions, and car-to-x communication shared road condition warnings. Rear-passenger airbags and rear-seat belt bags were available for added safety.

The 2023 Subaru WRX offered Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology, available with the CVT. EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, lane-centring, and automatic emergency braking. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking. The WRX received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.