2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, largely unchanged since its 2020 redesign, presented a sleek and modern exterior reminiscent of a smaller Altima. Its low-slung, coupe-like design marked a significant improvement over earlier models, which had a more traditional sedan appearance. The Sentra was available in a variety of bold colours, including blue, burnt orange, and "Scarlett Ember," with options for a contrasting black roof. Inside, the Sentra's interior was a highlight, featuring a modern yet simple layout that balanced form and function. The controls were user-friendly, and the centre dash's trio of vents added an upscale touch, complemented by a prominent touchscreen.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class exuded sophistication with its clean lines and sculpted front end. The S 580e model, with its optional high-gloss black trim and 20-inch AMG wheels, added a touch of sportiness to the luxury sedan. Inside, the S-Class offered a lavish experience with 15 leather upholstery colours and five trim materials. The Sienna Brown and Black leather in our tester, along with a panoramic sunroof and superb fit and finish, created a luxurious atmosphere. The soft headrests were particularly noteworthy, providing exceptional comfort for passengers.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, it came with a standard six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive, with an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). While the engine wasn't exceptional, the CVT managed power effectively, providing solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and its cornering was sharp for a non-performance-focused car. The suspension handled most road imperfections well, making it suitable for commuting and road trips.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 580e featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine paired with a 28.6-kWh battery and an electric motor. This plug-in hybrid offered 90 kilometres of all-electric range and could be charged at home in about two hours and 20 minutes. With a combined rating of 4.6 Le/100 km, the S 580e excelled in fuel efficiency, achieving 4.4 Le/100 km during testing. The powertrain delivered 510 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, allowing the S 580e to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in about 4.4 seconds. The air suspension provided a smooth ride, and rear-wheel steering enhanced manoeuvrability. The nine-speed automatic transmission offered seamless gear shifts, although there was a slight jerk when downshifting into first gear.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra offered 404 litres of trunk space, which was competitive among small sedans. The 60/40 split-fold rear bench allowed for expanded cargo capacity, although the ledge created by the rear bench could make loading larger items challenging. The Sentra's trunk could be remotely opened via the key fob or a button on the dash. Inside, the Sentra provided spacious seating in both rows, with ample headroom and legroom in the front. The rear seats offered decent legroom and headroom, and the front row featured large in-door cargo trays and cupholders.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with standard features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and armrests. Power sunshades and soft-closing doors added to the luxury experience. The ambient lighting system offered 64 colours for a customizable atmosphere. The Energizing Comfort wellness program combined lighting, massage, audio, fragrance, and climate controls for a unique experience. The S-Class had ample small storage spaces, but its trunk space was limited to 350 litres. The standard S-Class offered 550 litres, while the Porsche Panamera plug-in hybrid provided over 403 litres.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an 8-inch screen available on higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with conventional hard buttons and volume and tuning dials. However, the graphics could use updating, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not available, unlike some competitors.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class boasted a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen with the latest MBUX infotainment system. The system featured a large map on the home screen, with tiles for easy navigation. The natural-language AI assistant was responsive, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included. The native navigation system impressed with augmented reality features, and the optional head-up display added convenience. The system also offered games for entertainment during charging. Wireless charging and USB-C ports were available, and the Burmester sound system provided excellent audio quality.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features included a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with high ratings for crash testing and driver-assistance effectiveness.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered an extensive array of advanced driver-assistance systems, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The hands-on highway driver-assist system used adaptive cruise control to maintain a set distance from the lead car and keep the vehicle centred in its lane. Crosswind Assist and Speed Limit Assist added to the safety features. However, rear cross-traffic alert was an extra-cost option in Canada. The S-Class had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.