2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2020 BMW 2 Series

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was a departure from the traditional coupe design, as it featured four doors and a sloping roofline, a trend seen across several German automakers. This model was built on a front-wheel-drive platform, unlike the rear-wheel-drive setup of the 2 Series Coupe and Convertible. The front end of the Gran Coupe echoed the styling of the larger 8 Series, with swooping headlights and an angular twin-kidney grille, giving it a modern and athletic appearance. However, the rear design struggled to maintain the aesthetic of the two-door coupe, with awkward window trim and evident pillars. Inside, the Gran Coupe offered a modern cockpit with solid fit-and-finish, though it lacked the elegance of Mercedes-Benz interiors. The model came in various trims, with the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe featuring power-folding heated side mirrors, dual-zone climate control, and an 8.8-inch iDrive touchscreen.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class maintained a classic exterior design with subtle aerodynamic improvements, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.22. The S-Class was slightly larger than its predecessor, with a longer wheelbase and increased dimensions, giving it a more imposing presence. The interior was designed around a large infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, with a minimalist approach that eliminated the usual rotary controller and round air vents. Mercedes took ambient lighting to a new level, with 250 LED elements and 64 color options. The interior materials were luxurious, featuring Nappa leather upholstery and open-pore wood trim. However, the piano-black trim was prone to smudging and reflection. The S-Class offered a two-panel glass roof, providing ample light for both front and rear passengers.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This power was delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or xDrive all-wheel drive. While the engine was refined, it suffered from turbo lag, making acceleration from a standstill less exciting. The Gran Coupe featured a Drive Mode selector with Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro modes, with Sport mode providing a more engaging driving experience. The M235i variant offered a more powerful 301 hp engine, while the Coupe and Convertible models boasted even higher outputs, with the M240i featuring a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine producing 335 hp. The 228i Gran Coupe had sharp steering and minimal body roll, but its front-wheel-drive layout lacked the natural feel of the rear-wheel-drive Coupe and Convertible. The ride quality was firm, making it less suitable for rough roads.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered two engine options: the S500 4Matic with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine producing 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, and the S580 4Matic with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Both models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and EQ Boost, a mild-hybrid system providing additional electric assist. The S500 and S580 achieved 0 to 60 mph times of 4.8 and 4.4 seconds, respectively, with electronically limited top speeds of 130 mph. The S-Class came standard with air suspension and offered an E-Active Body Control system for enhanced ride quality. It was the first S-Class to feature rear-wheel steering, improving maneuverability. The S580 provided a fast and comfortable ride, with precise steering and minimal body roll in Sport and Sport+ modes.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered supportive front seats with ample legroom, but this came at the expense of rear-seat space, making the second row suitable only for occasional use. The cockpit layout was straightforward, with easy-to-locate climate controls. However, the cupholders and center console were small, limiting storage options. The Gran Coupe provided 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, surpassing competitors like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The Coupe and Convertible models offered slightly less cargo space, with the Convertible's capacity further reduced when the top was down.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class improved on its predecessor with more front and rear headroom and increased rear legroom. While it had the least front legroom among competitors, it offered segment-leading shoulder room, enhancing the sense of spaciousness. The trunk space increased to 12.9 cubic feet, though it remained smaller than other luxury sedans. The S-Class featured power-adjustable front seats with 19 motors, offering heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The removal of analog controls freed up storage space, with a large center console bin and a covered area for a wireless phone charger and cupholders. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed a large console with cupholders and climate controls, with the optional Executive Line package adding power-adjustable rear seats and four-zone climate control.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came standard with an 8.8-inch iDrive touchscreen with touch functionality and Android Auto. It also offered wireless Apple CarPlay, enhancing convenience. The test model featured a fully-digital instrument panel with customizable navigation display and a head-up display. BMW's infotainment system was user-friendly, with touch functionality and center console buttons for easy navigation.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered a 30-speaker Burmester audio system and a rear-seat infotainment setup with 11.6-inch touchscreens and a 7-inch tablet. The updated Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system provided increased computing power and relied more on the touchscreen. The S-Class featured an augmented-reality head-up display, projecting navigation directions onto the windshield. While the digital instrument cluster had impressive graphics, the steering-wheel touchpads were small and difficult to use. The ambient lighting reacted to certain functions, but seemed more gimmicky than practical. The S-Class allowed drivers to set up personal profiles with biometric or facial recognition, and rear-seat occupants could send navigation directions to the main screen.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a backup camera. Available features included adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assistance, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The driver-assist systems were seamless and customizable, enhancing safety without being distracting.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including an industry-first rear-passenger airbag. Standard driver-assist features included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, automated lane centering, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, traffic-sign recognition, a driver-attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. Mercedes claimed improvements in these features, with traffic-sign recognition detecting stop signs and red lights, and lane-keep assist reading road edges. The S-Class' adaptive cruise control and lane-centering systems performed well, handling highway curves and reacting smoothly to traffic changes.