Compare the2023 Mercedes S-ClassVS 2023 Lexus LS

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 LS doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

The S-Class’ standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The LS doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The S-Class has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seemlesly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The LS doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the S-Class and the LS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are over 57 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the S-Class’ warranty.

The S-Class has more powerful engines than the LS:

As tested in Car and Driver the Mercedes S-Class is faster than the LS 500 3.4 turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the S-Class running on electricity gets better mileage than the LS:

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

The S 580e 4MATIC can travel with zero emissions for 46 miles. The LS has to start its internal combustion engine after only .6 miles.

Regardless of its engine, the S-Class’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the LS Hybrid, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

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

The S-Class stops much shorter than the LS:

For better traction, the S-Class has larger standard tires than the LS (255/45R19 vs. 245/50R19). The S-Class’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LS (F:255/40R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20).

The S-Class’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LS’ standard 50 series tires. The S-Class’ optional 255/35R21 front and 285/30R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the LS 500 F Sport’s 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S-Class offers optional 21-inch wheels. The LS’ largest wheels are only 20-inches.

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

The S-Class offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lexus doesn’t offer an active suspension on the LS.

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 LS doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the LS (126.6 inches vs. 123 inches). The Maybach S-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is 10.7 inches longer than on the LS (133.7 inches vs. 123 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the S-Class is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the LS.

The S 500 4MATIC handles at .92 G’s, while the LS 500 AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The S 580 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the LS 500h AWD (25.8 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the S-Class Sedan w/Rear-Axle Steering’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the LS’ (35.9 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

The design of the Mercedes S-Class amounts to more than styling. The S-Class offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .22 to .25 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is significantly lower than the LS (.28 to .3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the S-Class get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the S 500 4MATIC is quieter than the LS 500 AWD:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the S-Class a Large car, while the LS is rated a Mid-size.

The S-Class has 12.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LS (112 vs. 99.4).

The S-Class Sedan has 4.8 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, 7.2 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom, 4.9 inches more rear legroom, 6.8 inches more rear hip room and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the LS.

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 LS doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the S-Class has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The LS doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes S-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console and for the rear passengers. The LS doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The S-Class’ Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The LS doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its November 2022 issue and they ranked the Mercedes S 500 4MATIC first. They ranked the Lexus LS 500 AWD third.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the S-Class second among large premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The LS isn’t in the top three.

The Mercedes S-Class outsold the Lexus LS by almost six to one during 2022.