Welcome to the duel of the two kings, the BMW 7 Series versus Mercedes S-Class top of luxury cars review. Let's go! Design-wise, here the new 7 Series, relatively high in the front, rather angular design, split headlamps, and this huge double or even mono kidney. What do you think? Versus the more, traditional design of the Mercedes S-Class, even if you pick here the AMG line, you have the upright standing star on the hood here, a little bit lower, more classic sedan form. Yeah, that's already a huge difference in the front. We'll tell you all about the technology, driving ourselves and also being driven, the chauffeur driving experience, everything coming up now.
Turning indicators, here with the BMW, we have this pulse effect like a heartbeat. The Mercedes is more classic but also has beautiful integration. I think both are quite attractive here in the front, aren't they? In the side profile, let's talk about length, 5.39 meters for the BMW 7 Series or 212 inches, Length and rear-axle steering are now only available in the long wheelbase version. There is just this one version and that means this new length is 10 centimeters or 4 inches longer than the Mercedes S-Class. Here also then in the long wheelbase version, still a shorter base version available in Europe.
However, technology advantage of the Mercedes S-Class, both offer rear axle steering but the S-Class up to 10 degrees, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction than the front wheels with BMW is maximum of 3.5 degrees and which makes the S-Class parking in and out, basement, garage and so on so much more agile. Visually, by the way, yes, we have the AMG line versus the M Sport Pack, so very comparable, it's just we have smaller wheels on the S-Class today, 19-inch in an arrow design, 21-inch with the BMW 7 Series. In the rear, the design difference is very obvious once again, contemporary with the 7 Series but more angular design and then a more timeless classic sedan rear for the S-Class.
Which one do you like better? As for the rear lamps, actually more stretched here and slimmer with the BMW, let's take a look at the turning indicators. Both have spectacular functions with the 7 Series, it's more this pulse effect once again, and with the S-Class, we have these, you know, these three-dimensional vertical elements inside, it's also really lovely, doesn't it? Air suspension, by the way, is equipped with both. Key comparison, I think both have something, right, galvanization feels a little bit more premium than the BMW, it's a little bit slimmer but you can also get this computer key at BMW. Both also offer soft close but let's still compare the door closing hammering sound, really subtle with the 7 Series and with the Mercedes here, the handles fold out and then Let's listen. Also sounds good but there I think the 7 Series sounds a little bit better, here also then a soft close is possible.
Seating position in the S-Class, although from the outside it looks lower, the seat itself is more plush, you sit kind of like on the seat, I would say. Steering wheel, you have a little bit more capacitive BS buttons here, in the BMW, it's a mix, I would say. And the animal skin alternative here in the S-Class is just one option with fabric. But overall the seating comfort, yeah, will be very interesting when I directly switch now to the 7 Series. The seating position in the BMW 7 Series, G70 new generation, is really super comfortable.
The seats give you enough side support, and at the same time, they don't cage you in too much so great compromise also this whole driving position, relatively low still, it gives you the feeling that this is still a driver's vehicle. Seating materials, by the way, there's also the so-called Veganza material available, it's a development of Sensatec and in Germany for all versions, in the UK for the i7, in the US only for the petrol engines, strange decision but they have this material on a lot of markets and it's really, you know, just looks the same like this one here and it's really great.
The interior cockpit overview is super clean and has high-class materials, the only thing that doesn't feel that good here, you know, is awesome at night with the ambient lighting, it's really amazing but when you hit the turning indicators, also looks nice but when you deeply press it, that's not that cool but that's kind of like the only flaw. Everything else, what you look, what you feel, it's really high-class. Just then again, a lot of blinding by the light here, for example, on the left side or maybe also in the lower part with this crystalline lever, stuff that looks cool but then is giving you some flashes.
It's good that in the lower part, we can still control the infotainment system with that one, everything else, and also touch and also the AC unit via touch, that's what I dislike with both vehicles. Steering wheel, I prefer here with the 7 Series because these buttons are kind of integrated as one but they still give you good haptic feedback and this then is for real for adjusting the speed. The instruments are modern and clear to read, and you can also change the whole layout. Both vehicles come with a head-up display, here is the more subtle one in the 7 Series. The infotainment system in the BMW has a horizontal layout. You can argue about the hardware layout and also about the software layout but what you can't argue about is that the BMW system is more responsive, quicker, and so far showed no errors or bugs at all.
This is where the Apple CarPlayintegration, and Android Auto as well both only wireless here. Interior overview with the Mercedes, a completely different layout indeed. The nice horizontal design element here and then this screen is vertically attached basically, more high-gloss black piano lacquer use. They both have that but Mercedes just a little bit more here. So, the quality of the materials is to me a little bit lower than in the 7 Series. With the digital instruments in the Mercedes, you can still get this classic analog look at least, or like this even more.
So, you're a little bit more flexible also in the color schemes and the head-up display available in two different trims and the second one also with augmented reality and, oh, cool. It's always nice to see the star here, right? Mercedes has more fancy features. For example, when you switch the digital instrument view, also the infotainment system view changes. So, yeah, then you can find your personal favorite style for your S-Class here.
The AC unit is still integrated here also and, well, you can reach it better while driving. So, that's better accessible here than in the 7 Series. The infotainment system overall is less responsive overall and has sometimes a few more failures here and there but the overview here is a little bit better. So, definitely pros and cons. For example, you can also play with the colors of the ambient lighting. That's also really impressive here.
Rear seating comfort here in the S-Class, you feel that the bench is a little bit stiffer actually from the material. So, the 7 Series comfort in the rear to me a little bit better. However, what I found better here is an easier setup, for example, to control the different sun blinds just here with the window levers up and down and also for the sun blind behind me or something. It's just a press of a button and also to push the front seat forward here, just a press of a button and don't have to go in the screen or something. This is just easier for me and while this one here unfolds, let's compare when I'm driving here behind.
I'm driving here in the seat, still a lot of legroom, of course, just a little bit more than with the G70 BMW 7 Series, and when I can test here the executive driving position So, it is fine for me, but in the Audi A8 L and the BMW 7 Series, I can stretch my legs a little bit more, you know, it's fine, but you feel there's some length difference. It's luxurious enough definitely. Also here with this middle console, there you can also control everything here on the screen if you like or use these internal screens, but they're also just an option. The Mercedes sunscreens are split in front and rear and the difference then is that well, you have this barrier there in the middle, but the front one you can actually open.
Rear seating in the BMW, it's extremely comfortable in here even with the base bench setup. So, plush materials and so on and good ergonomics underneath the seat and you feel like you have this single seating, although you have the through bench and so much legroom. You just have more legroom here in the BMW 7 Series and you can also go for this executive pack that you can higher the calf rest and you can also go for the optional screen here in the top part, the theater screen, which is not really necessary, I would say, rather use your own iPad or smartphone and so on, but you have more legroom also stretched out in this executive package and overall just more comfortable here in the rear in the 7 Series, I feel. The basic controls, however, even here of the sun blinds are all digital here on this screen and that makes things more complicated, I feel.
And when you put down the armrest, this is not the nicest solution here for a luxury sedan. In the 7 Series, you get a fixed glass roof, but then you have no barrier in the middle. So, when we're talking about overengineering, automatic doors are available and then look at that here. This is to open it from the inside just like the first push, then this would be the emergency failsafe manually opening and this is the fully automatic opening and closing function. Pressing it here, attention, there we go. Trunk or boot comparison, there's a button here for the 7 Series and underneath here for the S-Class. Liter figure-wise, 550, and 540 for the pure combustion engine versions to compare, kind of equal.
Here, the S-Class, one thing I do criticize is the sound of the closing and opening mechanism just doesn't sound S-Class-like, that's maybe hardly C-Class or something, you know what I mean? But, actually, good space in the width. Here it's just a little bit higher because there's the hybrid battery underneath. So, in the pure combustion engine, it would also be deeper. The length here is just a little bit shorter than with the BMW 7 Series. So, here, this is a meter or 40 inches, and there, the BMW is just a little bit longer, but then again, it's a little bit more narrow right here. So, both are overall comparable, just the closing sound, it's a little bit more premium here with the BMW, listen to that.
And it's, I love it when they have gas struts, cool shot, right? So, they have something in common, and also something else is different. Well, they both have three-liter six-cylinders, petrol, and diesel, and also eight-cylinder petrol engines, 4.4 liters for the BMW, and 4 liters for the Mercedes. Special to the S-Class is that in the Maybach version, they offer a V12 and the plug-in hybrid models each, Mercedes has the bigger battery in the PF and then the 7 Series is available as an i7. So, the pure electric version of the 7 Series is basically the very same vehicle, whereas Mercedes goes with the EQS, which is a separate vehicle then.
Well, that was 70 to 120 kilometers an hour acceleration, stopped by the Seat Ibiza, let's go again. Super smooth acceleration feels like nothing, 160, 180 and wow, it's so silent here, the car remains so stable, incredible, 200 kilometers an hour, 125 miles an hour, it really feels like driving a normal vehicle at 100 kilometers an hour, 60 miles an hour. This is pure perfection on the German autobahn I mean, it doesn't shake up at all, is really calm on the steering wheel at the same time, it has good steering and natural steering input, recently one of the best steering inputs at BMW, I really have to say, you know, I always criticize the 3 Series steering input, which feels to me a little bit less natural, the BMW SUVs are also quite good, but here, I really like it.
So it remains calm when you're driving really fast, but at the same time, it has no dead zone area, really cool, and for this large luxury sedan, you still get a somewhat sporty feeling and that is actually what BMW is about, that even if you buy this large luxury sedan, the focus is still driving yourself, you know, that sometimes the case is that owners here are being chauffeured during the week and then they drive themselves on the weekend, me personally, I think I would always drive it myself, it's really something to enjoy, suspension here is a little bit stiffer in the sport mode than standard air suspension, but still, it's on a very good comfort level, so really, really good compromise, the sophistication of the ride has even been increased in this generation, lane change here, feels really nice and sporty, super smooth and putting in the turning indicators is so much fun, I'm really glad to have that because we've seen it more and more stuff here is getting touch and everything.
I don't like that also, especially to do that while driving, yes, at least you have this middle controller to do something in the infotainment system without touch, but the climate unit, I tend to control the climate unit while driving, I not sure about you, some leave it on 22 degrees Celsius or 72 degrees Fahrenheit and automatic and that's it, but others do change it actually, wow, you always have good power also from the engine here, a pure 6-cylinder today, we have the diesel today, but this comparison test here is not about comparing the engine versions, it's more about the overall vehicle and the driving feeling and, really have to say the core essence of the BMW is it is still a driver's car, although it is this luxury sedan. What about when we change the motorways, that's always a very interesting part.
Here we go, sport mode, there you feel the weight of the large luxury sedan now, so especially when you're a little bit faster in these corners, you can't deny that it's not a sports car, you know, but for this segment, that's what I'm saying, it still feels pretty sporty. At low speeds, by the way, the rear-axle steering, if you have that package, plays a large role, in parking in and out, you really need that when you have a tight parking spot or basement garage or something, that massively reduces the turning circle, that's pretty cool and also feels more agile at lower speeds, and here, when I'm accelerating out again, super smooth, of course, as the rear axle-dominated platform, that means always when I have all-wheel drive, it's still the rear wheel bias gets out of the corner very well, wow, so nice, so smooth.
Let's compare the normal driving mode, and how that feels on the motorway here, let's see, at first, called personal, but now the suspension is set on the normal softer tone, and I'm really looking forward to how it is in comparison to the Mercedes S Class, if this will be a significant difference then, especially suspension-wise, so when we think about the previous generation, that 7 Series versus S-Class, the S-Class was always more, let's say, softer, no, the steering a little bit more, you know, calm and so on, definitely more the calmness, comfort focus, where I still hear the sporty focus with the 7 Series remains, but is it still the same today? Let's find out.
Now, driving the Mercedes S-Class and here, look at that, this is a U-turn, it's incredible, the rear axle steering here acts even stronger than in the BMW 7 Series, both, of course, in good vehicles, but here, just more degree angle, wow, this is awesome, and this U-turn it is hardly doable with some compact vehicles, you know, there you have to just take an outside circle, you know, take part of the next street from it, and makes this huge vehicle just so much more maneuverable inside a city, basement, garage, in and out, and so on.
Then, let's take it here to the sport mode and German Autobahn, let's go, 70, 120, 160, and 180, it's really nice, this is where the 3-liter 6-cylinder combustion engine, in this case, and paired with the plug-in hybrid model, but the battery is at the moment empty, so I can better compare pure combustion engine to a combustion engine, but this is not the main focus here about the engine comparison, it's more about how the car is feeling, actually, and, yeah, the thing is here, if you compare it to the previous generation, also here, this S-Class generation feels sportier, and the main thing about this is the steering input here, no dead zone area, and in this sport mode, also the air suspension gives me a little bit more feedback, and also the steering and throttle input changes, that's very interesting indeed, so, yeah, before in that previous generation, there was more gap of this, like this sportiness gap between Mercedes and BMW, a little bit less, definitely, but clearly, you still feel that the air suspension at Mercedes, and I think for an air suspension decision is actually quite good, it feels more floaty, you know what I mean, especially when you go back here, you know, to the normal comfort mode.
For example, in this case, then it's called hybrid, so in the normal driving modes, you know, comfort mode, you just feel like the car is going like this, like this, in these waves, and usually, when I buy an air suspension, I also want to have that feeling, with BMW, it's not bad at all, I'm not saying that it just feels a little bit sportier, and I think that's, you know, why not doing this different setup than from brand to brand, with Mercedes, it's different when you go for an AMG model, where then, even if you have the air suspension, would never expect that it's actually an air suspension because it's so stiffly tuned, so, it's really like this, you have the Mercedes model, then you have the BMW model, you have the BMW performance models, and then, the AMG models by Mercedes when you're talking about the suspension stiffness, you know, so, Mercedes always has this huge gap between the normal models and the AMG model.
Overall, feeling really good at home, planted also in the German Autobahn, as for the noise insulation, I mean, they're both really good, somehow, I have the feeling that the S-Class does a little bit better, the question is always also where in which area and so on, here we have this new technology that they apply this dampening foam already to the raw chassis, they introduced it with this generation of the S-Class, and that is also helping a lot, actually, really, really good, most vehicles, size-wise, don't feel too much apart, the funny thing is here with the S-Class, when you just take a seat and then compare it to the new generation of the C-Class or also now to the E-Class, you feel like you would be sitting in the same vehicle three times, like C-Class, E-Class, and S-Class, they are really much alike on the interior, how different it feels rather comes obvious, or rather becomes obvious than when you drive it, because here, when you have the larger, longer S-Class, you just feel like you would be steering this boat around in comparison to the smaller models, you know, but indeed, I feel that the Mercedes models from size to size, nowadays, come way closer than the BMW models feel step by step.
We have to see when we soon drive also the all-new BMW 5 Series, which also has the i5, recognize pose is that like gesture control, interesting, no, I don't want that, that's the thing about these new vehicles, something is always happening randomly, so we'll soon also compare the 5-Series and 7-Series, of course, and then we'll see if that still is the case, well, what I said now, but definitely very interesting, here, lane changes, there you feel the floatiness of the suspension, definitely a little bit more, yeah, maybe you already see that on camera, you know, and that would not happen in the comfort mode of the BMW.
I was suspecting, that there is still more of this sporty emphasis in the BMW, and here more of this comfort floatiness emphasis in the S-Class, it is still the case, but not that much, so, here in the S-Class generation, they made a little bit sportier, another difference is also with the BMW at 21-inch wheels, here we have today 19-inch wheels, this is also making a huge difference, so, if you want more comfort or more sportiness, that always also depends on the wheel choice, so you should watch out for that and pick the wheel size, then, according to your liking, what you appreciate more, the comfort or the sporty side.
Now, it's getting really interesting, let's see here, switching motorways, of course, you feel the weight of the vehicle, but the rear axle steering is an evening that out a little bit, interesting, so, that was actually quite good, so, the peculiar thing here is that the S-Class from suspension setup doesn't suggest that it's so sporty, but when you then speed it up a little bit more and push it into the corners, it feels astonishingly light, so, you really have to differentiate here, you know, so, the BMW is suggesting more sportiness and it is also sporty, but somehow, I also felt that when you push it into the corners, you feel the weight a little bit more, and here, the S-Class doesn't have the sportiest suspension setup, but when you push it into the corners, it's sportier than you think, so, that's also something interesting. Whoa, yeah, good acceleration out here, of course, and the same thing applies to the S-Class, when you have an all-wheel drive model, you always still have a rear-wheel bias because of this base setup of the vehicle.
So, now, I keep my hands on the steering wheel, but I'm not steering, the car is doing that for me, there we go, automatic lane change complete. I wonder about you, what do you think, is that really a useful feature or would you just rather do that yourself? That's what I said. Wow, the S-Class really feels lighter than it actually is.
And, of course, we also have a being a chauffeured comparison, starting here with the 7 Series, and interesting is that when you have these turns at slow speeds, you feel the rear axle steering even more when you're sitting in the rear, that's very fancy, right? This middle console and some cup holders, we can also put the smartphone here, for example, and this little weird solution here, right? Yeah, however, it's really comfortable here in the rear, it feels also somewhat sporty because you are somewhat caged in, like a single seating, but I think what is a very interesting solution is they have a lot of comfort here on the outside seats, but they still keep the through bench, you can always, of course, have that, but this is here no compromise.
Sometimes, you have sedans that are really basic as for the through bench, and then only when you get the executive seating, then you have a lot of comforts, but here, it's already in the base rear bench setup that you have good comfort in the rear. The only thing that is not built in this vehicle here is this, you know, this executive function that you can lift the calf rest here, so that is not built in this vehicle, but yeah, I can also live without that. If I push the seat here forward, you already have a lot of space in front of you, that's actually pretty fancy. So, yeah, already in this setup, you can really enjoy, and yeah, when she's hitting the throttle, you can feel that it has a lot of power, it's really nice.
So, the interesting thing to me is that this somewhat still sporty character of the vehicle, you can still feel that somewhat in the rear. Of course, you might argue if that's the right approach also for this kind of vehicle, but to me, it is always I like to drive the vehicle myself, I could still enjoy it right here, and some might say, hey, you want to feel some sportiness, and some say you might not want to feel that. So, this will be a very interesting aspect of how it will compare to the S-Class.
Mercedes S-Class, the first plus point here, these automatic seat belt reachers for the rear seats. Oh, also here, I feel the rear axle steering really strong in the rear. The thing is that the S-Class has actually a higher degree where the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction on the rear axle, so you can feel that even stronger than, for example, in a U-turn and so on. What I really like is a separate cushion here with microfiber, that's really lovely. But both cars, of course, have is here this automatic control for the side shade. The 7 Series rear windows were, you know, overall darker tinted already, however, and I can also control this upper shade here. Yeah, it's really funny to do that.
Here in the S-Class, the panoramic roof is split, so in the front, you can actually open it. In the 7 Series, you cannot open the whole thing to leave fresh air in, but it goes all the way through, and that is a difference here when sitting in the rear. So, for rear passengers, the solution of the 7 Series is actually better because you have a clear view of the sky, that's somehow cool, and here you have this middle barrier where you look at. So, for rear passengers, better with the 7 Series with the roof.
Overall, it's also fairly comfortable here. The head area here, this, of course, is really cool with this extra cushion, but, you know, how the legs lay on here, so the seats are a little bit stiffer from the material, I feel. So, I also felt a little bit more caged in with the 7 Series from, you know, like this, how the seat is formed. So, the normal seating impression is a little bit better with the 7 Series. Here, the difference is that we also have this executive package. I can also put my feet then here on the front and also activate them here while driving.
That's pretty cool, actually. Showed that earlier on the interior part the seat goes all the way forward, and then this calf rest comes out. So, that's, of course, a really fancy feature. It takes a while, and if you ask yourself, does that block the view then for the chauffeur, yes, it always does. So, that's a big problem, yeah, but I think manufacturers just say like, hey, you know, it's more important how the rear passenger feels, and yeah, it's a nice function, but I really like that function in the 7 Series as well where you had this, you know, like this full support, then also, you know, here, on these, my legs right here, that was pretty cool, and, yeah, it's not really very well comparable now since this one has the pack, the other one doesn't, but what I can say from testing both, you know, with an earlier 7 Series vehicle is that the length of the interior here for the rear passenger.
it's really longer in the 7 Series, and when I'm here 189 or 6'2", I mean, I can stretch here more or less, but I can more stretch in the 7 Series, and that might also be something. What is plus here for the S-Class is that I feel that the insulation in the rear is a little bit better here with the S-Class, so it feels a little bit more silent, and from the sportiness of the driving, indeed, yes, here we also have 19-inch wheels at the moment, with the 7 Series, we had 21-inch. The thing is, really, with the S-Class, you feel from the setup, it feels a little bit more chauffeur-ish, like better noise insulation, and you don't feel so much sportiness, I would say, so I would say I had more fun driving in the 7 Series, and here for the chauffeur function, this one feels more like being chauffeured, you know what I mean?
However, then again, suspension-wise, I feel that although we have smaller wheels here, the suspension of the 7 Series was sportier, but not really less comfortable, so overall, both some pros and cons when being chauffeured. Hmm, yeah, the big question now is, which one would I take to drive myself, which one would I take when I'm being chauffeured? Let's find out. Now, it is time to decide, which one would you choose, and = which one would keep at home Which is the best luxury sedan? with me now? The thing is, on the exterior, the 7 Series has more of a screaming-out design, especially the mono or double kidney in the front is splitting opinions, and that's what they wanted to achieve.
They want people to talk about BMW design, and they have indeed achieved that, but the more timeless design is definitely with the S-Class, more traditional and more this classic luxury sedan style, definitely on the exterior, matter of preference, also has to do that the 7 Series build on the same platform as the i7 electric, that you can put the batteries in the floor, then on the interior, that's very interesting, the quality of the materials is better with the BMW, and also, especially the seating comfort, both in the ergonomics and also in the seating materials.
BMW offers more animal-free choices, whereas the S-Class availability of the animal-free choice, is very, very limited, so overall, the interior is better done by BMW in this case, and especially in this generation. Driving-wise, a bit of a surprise indeed, so on the one hand, in driving, the S-Class is a little bit softer from the suspension setup, so that kind of clears the, you know, we're expecting, yeah, the BMW drive sportier than the Mercedes, and the Mercedes is more comfortable, yes, suspension-wise, softer, a little bit stiffer, sportier, but then suddenly in the corners, the S-Class kind of, you know, was more agile than the 7 Series, that was very surprising, so in driving, the S-Class really accelerated, literally, and was really surprising me on the sporty side, so this generation of the S Class is, although it doesn't suggest this in looks, is sportier now also in driving, and therefore comes closer to the 7 Series.
In this setup, both drive exceptionally well indeed. The winner in today's article, well, taking also maybe pricing into account, of course, you can configure these cars, you know, to the moon, basically, but just as an example, as they are here now today, €136,000 for the 7 Series, €190,000 for the Mercedes S-Class, yes, if you then put comparable engine versions and spec this one a little bit higher, you can, of course, even that gap a little bit, so we always have to take that one into account, but pricing is maybe also not the most crucial thing about this one.
To me, the crucial thing here today is indeed not the exterior, that's a matter of preference, but the interior seating comfort, especially from the ergonomics, is just better with the BMW, and therefore, I feel more comfortable both driving and also sitting in the rear, that's why it would be the choice here with BMW today.
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