2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid continued to uphold its reputation as a reliable family sedan, with minimal changes from its previous iteration. Its exterior design was surprisingly modern, featuring a futuristic front end with a sneering face and muscular features. The base model came with 17-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims boasted 18-inch and 19-inch options. Inside, the Camry Hybrid offered a futuristic and expressive dashboard with a sweeping curve, a large infotainment touchscreen, and a well-organized centre console. The second row provided ample space and comfort, even for the middle seat, and the overall fit and finish were of high quality, with smooth paint and quality materials.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class exuded calm sophistication with its clean lines and sculpted front end. The S 580e model, with its plug-in hybrid powertrain, featured optional high-gloss black trim, 20-inch AMG wheels, and AMG-style bumpers and side skirts, adding a touch of sportiness. Inside, the S-Class offered a luxurious experience with 15 different leather upholstery colours and five trim materials. The panoramic sunroof and superb fit and finish, including soft headrests, contributed to a plush interior. The S-Class was designed for comfort, with features like massaging seats and a wellness program to enhance the driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid was designed for fuel efficiency rather than speed, with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a total of 208 horsepower. It achieved impressive fuel consumption ratings of 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 4.8 on the highway for the LE model. The hybrid system was complemented by an electronically controlled CVT, and the car offered drive modes like EV, Eco, Normal, and Sport. While handling was commendable, the focus on fuel efficiency sometimes compromised responsiveness, and maintaining EV mode was challenging.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 580e, on the other hand, combined a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine with a 28.6-kWh battery and an electric motor, delivering 510 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. It offered an all-electric range of 90 kilometres and a combined fuel efficiency rating of 4.6 Le/100 km. The S 580e could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in about 4.4 seconds, matching the performance of the S 580 with its twin-turbo V8. The car featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and a buttery soft air suspension, providing a smooth and comfortable ride. Rear-wheel steering enhanced manoeuvrability, and the hybrid mode offered seamless transitions between electric and gas power.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered a comfortable driving position with ample headroom and adjustable seating options. The interior provided generous storage spaces, including a spacious glove compartment and multiple nooks throughout the dash. The second row was roomy and easy to access, with bottle holders and map pockets. The trunk offered 428 litres of space, with a passthrough for long items and foldable rear seats for additional cargo capacity. The Camry Hybrid came with a comprehensive warranty, covering the hybrid battery for 10 years/240,000 kilometres.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with standard features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and power sunshades. The ambient lighting offered 64 colours, and the Energizing Comfort wellness program combined various interior features for a mood-boosting experience. While the trunk space was limited to 350 litres, the interior provided ample storage with small cubbies and a spacious centre armrest. The S-Class offered a luxurious experience with features like soft-closing doors and a high level of customization.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid was equipped with Toyota’s latest technology, including a premium JBL audio system with nine speakers on the XLE model. It featured Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the LE model and a 9-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The Camry Hybrid also offered a smart key system, push-button start, and a projected-path feature for the rearview camera. Upper trims included a 10-inch colour head-up display and advanced safety features.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen with the MBUX infotainment system. The system included a variety of games, a natural-language AI assistant, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native navigation system offered augmented reality features, and the optional head-up display provided additional information. The S-Class also included wireless charging and multiple USB-C ports, along with a standard Burmester sound system.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. It also featured Toyota’s Star safety system, with stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. The Camry Hybrid had 10 airbags and a blind-spot monitor on all but the base LE trim. It received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered a comprehensive suite of ADAS safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. It featured a hands-on highway driver-assist system and Crosswind Assist for stability in windy conditions. The S-Class also included Speed Limit Assist, which adjusted cruising speed based on traffic signs. However, it had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.