Compare the2024 Mercedes AMG S-ClassVS 2024 Porsche Panamera

The AMG 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 AMG 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 AMG 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 AMG S-Class has a standard Maneuvering Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Panamera doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

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

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

The AMG 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 AMG S-Class and the Panamera have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The Mercedes AMG S-Class weighs 418 to 1425 pounds more than the Porsche Panamera. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 AMG S-Class’ warranty.

The AMG S-Class’ 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 443 more horsepower (791 vs. 348) and 686 lbs.-ft. more torque (1055 vs. 369) than the Panamera’s standard 2.9 turbo V6. The AMG S-Class’ 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 328 more horsepower (791 vs. 463) and 576 lbs.-ft. more torque (1055 vs. 479) than the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid’s standard 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid. The AMG S-Class’ 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 255 more horsepower (791 vs. 536) and 502 lbs.-ft. more torque (1055 vs. 553) than the Panamera 4S E-Hybrid’s standard 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid. The AMG S-Class’ 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 121 more horsepower (791 vs. 670) and 369 lbs.-ft. more torque (1055 vs. 686) than the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG S-Class has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Panamera.

The AMG S-Class 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 Panamera doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The AMG 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 AMG S-Class’ wheelbase is 10.5 inches longer than on the Panamera (126.6 inches vs. 116.1 inches).

The AMG 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.

If the windows are left open on the AMG 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 AMG 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. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

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

The AMG 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 Panamera doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Mercedes S-Class outsold the Porsche Panamera by almost three to one during 2023.