2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained a familiar exterior design, but with significant aerodynamic improvements, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.22. It was slightly larger than its predecessor, with a longer wheelbase and increased height and width. The car's size and classic Mercedes styling elements, like the hood ornament and grille, made a strong impression. Standard 19-inch wheels could be upgraded to 20-inch or 21-inch options, with the 20-inch wheels providing a balanced look.

Inside, the S-Class focused on a minimalist design centered around a large infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. Mercedes eliminated many traditional controls, opting for a cleaner look with rectangular air vents and extensive ambient lighting featuring 250 LED elements in 64 colors. High-quality materials like Nappa leather and open-pore wood trim were standard, though the piano-black trim was prone to smudging and reflections.

The 2022 Lexus ES, a staple in the Lexus lineup since 1990, faced the challenge of appealing to both its aging loyal customer base and attracting younger buyers. The latest generation, launched in 2018, used the Global Architecture-K platform, shared with models like the Lexus RX and Toyota Camry. This platform supported both front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations and multiple engine options.

The ES had elegant proportions with a sleek roofline and a prominent spindle grille. Standard 17-inch wheels could be upgraded to 18-inch or 19-inch options, with the 18-inch wheels offering the best balance. The interior featured a layered, asymmetrical dashboard with precise assembly. The F Sport model added bold two-tone leather seating, which contrasted with the rest of the car's more conservative design. An analog chronometer on the dash added a touch of heritage but also cluttered the layout.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered two main powertrains. The S500 4Matic featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine producing 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, while the S580 4Matic had a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Both engines included EQ Boost, a mild-hybrid system adding 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque for short bursts. The S500 accelerated from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds, and the S580 in 4.4 seconds, both with a top speed of 130 mph. The S-Class also introduced rear-wheel steering and an advanced air suspension system for improved handling and comfort.

The 2022 Lexus ES came in three models. The ES 250 AWD had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, achieving 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. It accelerated from 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds. The ES 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 307 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds and achieving 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway/26 mpg combined. The ES 300h hybrid combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor for a total of 215 hp, achieving 43 mpg city/44 mpg highway/44 mpg combined and a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds. The ES 250 AWD was smooth and predictable but felt underpowered compared to its siblings.

The 2021 S-Class offered more front and rear headroom and rear legroom than its predecessor, with segment-leading shoulder room. Cargo space increased to 12.9 cubic feet, though still less than some competitors. The front seats featured 19 motors for adjustment, heating, ventilation, and massage, with head restraints equipped with pillows. The center console provided ample storage, and rear-seat passengers enjoyed a large console with cupholders and climate controls. The optional Executive Line package added power-adjustable rear seats and four-zone climate control.

The 2022 Lexus ES provided 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space, with a pass-through for long items and fold-flat second-row seats for additional cargo capacity. The ES had a lower center of gravity and better handling than its SUV counterpart, the Lexus RX, along with superior fuel economy and a tighter turning circle. Inside, the ES offered ample storage, including big bottle pockets, a large center console bin, and a spacious glove compartment. The dashboard layout was functional, with a prominent volume knob for the audio system.

The 2021 S-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and six USB ports. An optional 30-speaker Burmester audio system and rear-seat infotainment setup with 11.6-inch touchscreens were available. The updated MBUX infotainment system offered increased computing power and a more touchscreen-reliant interface. The augmented-reality head-up display projected navigation directions, while the ambient lighting system reacted to certain functions. However, the steering-wheel touchpads were small and difficult to use.

The 2022 Lexus ES came with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system. Upper trims upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio, and navigation. The ES used a touchpad interface for infotainment, which was better than the previous mouse setup but still challenging on rough roads. A 10-inch head-up display was available, along with a Panoramic View Monitor and Intuitive Parking Assist. Lexus Enform connected services included Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote, and WiFi trials.

The 2021 S-Class had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS but included numerous safety features like a rear-passenger airbag, adaptive cruise control, 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' driver-assist systems performed well, handling highway curves and traffic changes smoothly.

The 2022 Lexus ES received top safety ratings from IIHS (Top Safety Pick+) and NHTSA (five stars). Standard safety features included the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 with a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning, road-sign assist, Enhanced Lane-Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and Intelligent High Beam Control. Additional standard features were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, 10 airbags, and three years of Lexus Enform Safety Connect service.