2023 Toyota Prius 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 current W223 generation maintained its status as Mercedes-Benz's flagship sedan. The exterior design was characterized by a long, low profile, with a significant distance between the front axle and dashboard, adding to its elegance. Inside, the S-Class boasted a luxurious cabin with high-quality materials, featuring a 12.8-inch touchscreen and a separate 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, offering a sophisticated and functional interior.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Prius underwent a complete makeover, finally achieving a stylish and modern look. The new design featured a blend of curves and edges, giving it a futuristic appearance while maintaining appeal for conservative buyers. The wheels were pushed to the corners, enhancing handling and giving the Prius a more athletic stance. The interior, though slightly smaller in some dimensions, offered increased legroom and comfortable seating. The cabin was functional, with a focus on practicality, and included features like a fixed glass roof and SofTex leatherette upholstery. Despite the changes, the Prius remained a comfortable and efficient vehicle for daily driving.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was designed for both executive commuting and weekend driving pleasure. The S500 model featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder engine with EQ Boost, providing 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 offered a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine, also with EQ Boost. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD. Despite their weight, the S500 and S580 were quick, with 0-100 km/h times of 4.9 and 4.4 seconds, respectively. Fuel consumption was 11.4 L/100 km city/8.0 highway/9.9 combined for the S500 and 14.3 L/100 km city/9.5 highway/12.2 combined for the S580.

The 2023 Toyota Prius featured a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a more powerful electric motor and lithium-ion battery, delivering 196 total horsepower in AWD models. This was a significant improvement over the previous model's 121 horsepower. The Prius achieved impressive fuel economy ratings of 4.8 L/100 km city, 4.7 highway, and 4.8 combined. The new powertrain provided a more athletic driving experience, with 0-100 km/h acceleration times dropping to just over seven seconds. The Prius handled well, with agile suspension and a longer wheelbase, though engine noise was noticeable during hard acceleration.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class excelled as an executive sedan, offering a spacious and luxurious cabin. It featured powered sun blinds, a Panorama Sunroof, and a 510-litre trunk. The interior included six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply. Front seats were rapid-heating with active multicontour features, and options included ventilated seats, heated armrests, and massaging rear seats. The Executive Rear Seating package provided additional comfort for chauffeured passengers. The S-Class's doors opened wide, but soft-close functionality prevented slamming. The warranty covered four years/80,000 kilometres.

The 2023 Toyota Prius, despite its larger exterior, had a slightly smaller interior. Headroom was reduced due to the sloping roofline, but legroom increased. The cabin featured SofTex leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Limited trim included a fixed glass roof and heated rear seats. Cargo space was 575 litres, with some underfloor storage. Visibility was generally good, though rear visibility was affected by the new design. The cabin included cupholders, a wireless charging pocket, and USB-C ports.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with advanced technology, including a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen with MBUX infotainment, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel. Optional features included a 3D instrument cluster and augmented reality navigation. The Burmester 3D Surround sound system was standard, with an available 4D system. The S-Class also featured EQ Boost and rear-axle steering for improved manoeuvrability.

The 2023 Toyota Prius offered an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 12.3-inch screen on the Limited trim. The navigation system required a subscription to Toyota's Drive Connect. A 7-inch digital instrument cluster was standard, though it was considered too busy. The Limited trim included wireless charging, an 8-speaker JBL audio system, and a digital rearview mirror. Subscription-based connectivity bundles were available, offering features like remote access and cloud navigation.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance systems, including Magic Vision Control, adaptive cruise control, active brake assist, and Pre-Safe systems. It also offered rear-passenger airbags and rear-seat belt bags for added protection.

The 2023 Toyota Prius came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane-departure alerts, and Proactive Driving Assist. The system was praised for its minimal intrusion. Standard safety features included stability control, traction control, and eight airbags. The Limited trim offered Advanced Park. The Prius received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.