Compare the2024 Mercedes S-ClassVS 2024 Bentley Flying Spur

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 Flying Spur 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 Flying Spur 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 use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Flying Spur doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The S-Class’ 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 Flying Spur.

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 Flying Spur doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the S-Class and the Flying Spur 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The S-Class comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Flying Spur’s 3-year basic warranty expires 1 year sooner.

The S-Class’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Flying Spur’s (5 vs. 3 years).

There are almost 8 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Bentley dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the S-Class’ warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the S 580e 4MATIC running on electricity gets better mileage than the Flying Spur Hybrid running on electricity (53 city/48 hwy vs. 43 city/50 hwy MPGe).

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

The S 580e 4MATIC can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 46 miles. The Flying Spur Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 21 miles.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Mercedes S-Class at emission levels ranging from “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) to “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Bentley Flying Spur is only certified to “Low Emissions Vehicle” (LEV) standards.

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 Flying Spur.

The S-Class stops much shorter than the Flying Spur:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the S-Class can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Flying Spur doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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 Flying Spur doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is .9 inches longer than on the Flying Spur (126.6 inches vs. 125.7 inches). The Maybach S-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is 8 inches longer than on the Flying Spur (133.7 inches vs. 125.7 inches).

The Mercedes S-Class may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 400 pounds less than the Bentley Flying Spur.

The S-Class uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Flying Spur doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

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

The S-Class has 10 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Flying Spur (112 vs. 102).

The S-Class Sedan has 4.7 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 2.4 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom and 4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Flying Spur.

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 Flying Spur can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

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 Flying Spur doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the S-Class has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Flying Spur doesn’t offer cornering lights. The S-Class also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

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 Flying Spur doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The S-Class has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Flying Spur doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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 Flying Spur’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

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 Flying Spur isn’t in the top three.

The Mercedes S-Class outsold the Bentley Continental/Flying Spur by over five to one during 2023.