Compare the2022 Mercedes S-ClassVS 2022 Porsche Panamera

The S-Class’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Panamera doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The rear seatbelts optional on the S-Class inflate when a collision is detected, helping to spread crash forces over a much larger area of the body and limiting head and neck movement. This can help prevent spinal and internal injuries. The Panamera doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

The S-Class has standard Post-Collision Brake, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Panamera doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The S-Class has standard Maneuvering Brake Function that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Panamera doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the S-Class. But it costs extra on the Panamera.

The S-Class has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Panamera’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the S-Class’ standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Panamera doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The S-Class’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Panamera doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the S-Class and the Panamera have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, lane departure warning systems and front and rear parking sensors.

There are almost 2 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the S-Class’ warranty.

As tested in Motor Trend the S 580 4MATIC Sedan 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid is faster than the Porsche Panamera turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the S-Class gets better mileage than the Panamera Sedan running its gasoline engine:

The S-Class has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Panamera E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (22.2 vs. 21.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes S-Class higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Porsche Panamera (3 to 5). This means the S-Class produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Panamera every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes S-Class, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Panamera.

For better stopping power the S-Class’ standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Panamera:

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The S-Class has a standard brake assist system to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Panamera doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The front and rear suspension of the S-Class uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Panamera, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The S-Class’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Panamera doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S-Class’ wheelbase is longer than on the Panamera:

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the S-Class is 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Panamera.

For better maneuverability, the S-Class Sedan’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Panamera’s (35.9 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The design of the Mercedes S-Class amounts to more than styling. The S-Class has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .22 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Panamera (.29 to .35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the S-Class get better fuel mileage.

The S-Class has 16 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Panamera (112 vs. 96).

The S-Class has 4.1 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 8.2 inches more rear legroom and 4.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Panamera.

The S-Class has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Panamera doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The S-Class’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Panamera.

If the windows are left open on the S-Class the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Panamera can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the S-Class to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Panamera doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The S-Class’ Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Panamera doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Mercedes S-Class comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Porsche Panamera isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2022 issue and they ranked the Mercedes S 580 4MATIC Sedan higher than the Porsche Panamera.

The Mercedes S-Class outsold the Porsche Panamera by over three to one during the 2021 model year.