Compare the2024 BMW 8 Series Gran CoupeVS 2023 Mercedes CLS

The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CLS doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CLS 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.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the CLS.

Both the 8 Series Gran Coupe and the CLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CLS’ (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 8 Series Gran Coupe for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CLS.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s reliability 20 points higher than the CLS.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 8 Series Gran Coupe first among large premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The CLS isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mercedes.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 24th.

The M850i Gran Coupe’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 161 more horsepower (523 vs. 362) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 369) than the CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Alpina B8 Gran Coupe’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 250 more horsepower (612 vs. 362) and 221 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 369) than the CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the 840i Gran Coupe 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder is faster than the Mercedes CLS:

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The CLS doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CLS:

The 8 Series Gran Coupe stops shorter than the CLS:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Alpina B8 Gran Coupe has standard 21-inch wheels. The CLS’ largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CLS’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe M550i/Alpina B8 has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The CLS doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe M550i/Alpina B8 offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Mercedes doesn’t offer an active suspension on the CLS.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s wheelbase is 3.3 inches longer than on the CLS (119 inches vs. 115.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 8 Series Gran Coupe is .2 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CLS.

The 840i Gran Coupe xDrive handles at .92 G’s, while the CLS 450 4MATIC pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 840i Gran Coupe xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CLS 450 4MATIC (25.1 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 25.8 seconds @ .72 average G’s).

The front grille of the 8 Series Gran Coupe uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CLS doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 8 Series Gran Coupe a Mid-size car, while the CLS is rated a Compact.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has 7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CLS (100 vs. 93).

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has 2.2 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more rear headroom and 1.6 inches more rear legroom than the CLS.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the CLS (15.5 vs. 11.9 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The CLS doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 17% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the 8 Series Gran Coupe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CLS doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the 8 Series Gran Coupe and the CLS have standard heated front seats. The 8 Series Gran Coupe also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CLS.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the CLS.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW 8 Series has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the CLS.

The BMW 8 Series comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Mercedes CLS isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.