2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained a familiar exterior design, but with subtle 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 was imposing, complemented by the classic Mercedes hood ornament and grille. 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 prominent infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. Mercedes eliminated many traditional controls, opting for a cleaner look with rectangular air vents. The interior featured extensive ambient lighting with 250 LED elements and 64 color options. 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 Toyota Camry Hybrid, while mostly a carryover from the previous year, impressed with its futuristic and expressive exterior design. The front end featured a bold, sneering face and muscular lines. Base models came with 16-inch steel wheels, while higher trims offered 17-inch, 18-inch, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The interior of the Camry Hybrid was equally striking, with a sweeping dashboard design and a prominent infotainment touchscreen. The second row provided ample space and comfort, even for the middle seat. Toyota's attention to fit and finish was evident, with high-quality materials and precise construction throughout the cabin.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered two engine options: the S500 4Matic with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six producing 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, and the S580 4Matic with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 generating 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and featured EQ Boost, a mild-hybrid system providing an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque for short bursts. The S500 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, while the S580 did it in 4.4 seconds, both with a top speed limited to 130 mph.

The S-Class came standard with air suspension and offered an advanced E-Active Body Control system. It was also the first S-Class to feature rear-wheel steering, improving maneuverability. Despite some wind noise at highway speeds, the S580 was fast and comfortable, with precise steering and well-balanced handling in Sport and Sport+ modes.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid focused on fuel efficiency, with the LE model achieving 51 mpg city/53 mpg highway/52 mpg combined, and other trims getting 44 mpg city/47 mpg highway/46 mpg combined. It used a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a total of 208 horsepower. Power was sent to the front wheels via an electronically controlled CVT, with paddle shifters available on SE and XSE models.

The Camry Hybrid's handling benefited from a lower center of gravity due to the battery pack's placement. While not a performance car, it offered a responsive and comfortable ride. The EV mode was challenging to maintain, and there was occasional drivetrain noise, but overall, the focus on fuel economy was well-executed.

The 2021 S-Class provided 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 it remained smaller than some competitors. The front seats were highly adjustable with 19 motors, offering heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The center console featured ample storage, and rear-seat passengers enjoyed a large console with climate controls and cupholders. The optional Executive Line package added power-adjustable rear seats and four-zone climate control.

The 2022 Camry Hybrid offered a comfortable and adjustable driving position with ample headroom. Storage options were plentiful, with a spacious glove compartment, center armrest storage, and various nooks throughout the dash. The second row was roomy and easy to access, with generous bottle holders and map pockets. The trunk provided 15.1 cubic feet of space, with a passthrough for long items and fold-down rear seats for larger cargo. Toyota's warranty coverage included a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 10-year/100,000-mile hybrid battery warranty.

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. A 30-speaker Burmester audio system and a rear-seat infotainment setup with 11.6-inch touchscreens were available. The updated MBUX system offered increased computing power and relied more on the touchscreen. The augmented-reality head-up display provided helpful navigation cues, though it could be distracting. The digital instrument cluster had beautiful graphics, but the steering-wheel touchpads were small and difficult to use. The ambient lighting system reacted to certain functions, but it felt more like a gimmick.

The 2022 Camry Hybrid came with Toyota's latest technology, including a JBL audio system with nine speakers and sophisticated algorithms for high-quality sound. Embedded navigation was available on higher trims, while Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa were standard. The LE, SE, and SE Nightshade had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the XLE and XSE featured a 9-inch touchscreen. All models included a smart key system, push-button start, and a projected-path rearview camera. A 10-inch head-up display was available on XSE models, along with advanced safety features.

The 2021 S-Class had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS, but it included numerous safety features, such as 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 reacting smoothly to traffic changes.

The 2022 Camry Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, Lane Tracing Assist, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. It also featured Toyota's Star safety system, 10 airbags, three-point seatbelts, LATCH anchors, child protector locks, a tire pressure monitoring system, and available blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The 2021 model received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS, and the 2022 model was expected to receive the same. NHTSA gave the 2022 Camry Hybrid a five-star overall safety rating.