2022 BMW i4 vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2022 BMW i4's design closely mirrored the gasoline-powered 4 Series Gran Coupe, featuring a polarizing oversized grille and a "Gran Coupe" label that might confuse some, as it was essentially a four-door sedan with a rear hatch. Despite its resemblance to its gasoline counterpart, the i4 boasted improved aerodynamics, with a drag coefficient of 0.24 for the base eDrive40 and 0.25 for the M50 model. This was achieved through various design tweaks, including a smooth underbody and an active grille flap. The i4's interior balanced modern minimalism with traditional BMW elements, featuring a freestanding screen and familiar controls, though leather upholstery was not standard.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class exuded sophistication with its clean lines and sculpted front end. The S 580e model, with its plug-in hybrid powertrain, added a touch of sportiness with optional high-gloss black trim and AMG-style elements. Inside, the S-Class offered a luxurious experience with options for sumptuous leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof. The fit and finish were impeccable, and the seats provided exceptional comfort, making it a haven for passengers. The S-Class also featured a wellness program that combined lighting, massage, audio, fragrance, and climate controls to enhance the driving experience.

The 2022 BMW i4 offered impressive performance with its base eDrive40 model producing 335 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. The M50 model, with its two-motor powertrain, delivered 536 horsepower and 586 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Despite its weight, the i4 maintained BMW's reputation for handling, thanks to its low center of gravity and advanced suspension systems. The adaptive suspension provided a smooth ride, and the integrated braking system offered a natural pedal feel. However, the adaptive recuperation system's variable regenerative braking was less predictable.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 580e combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 28.6-kWh battery, offering 56 miles of all-electric range. The powertrain produced 510 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds. The S-Class excelled in comfort, with a buttery soft air suspension and rear-wheel steering for improved maneuverability. The hybrid mode provided seamless transitions between electric and gas power, while the nine-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth gear shifts. Drivers could adjust brake regeneration levels, but the system occasionally exhibited a slight jerk when downshifting.

The 2022 BMW i4's interior offered a low seating position despite the battery pack, but the fastback roof limited headroom. While the i4 had less headroom than the Polestar 2, it provided more rear legroom. The interior felt open, with an efficiently designed center console. However, the seats were flat and hard, lacking the expected bolstering. The i4's cargo space was limited to 10 cubic feet, less than the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3, and it lacked a front trunk.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with standard features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and power sunshades. The ambient lighting offered 64 colors, and the Energizing Comfort program combined various elements to enhance the driving experience. While the trunk space was limited to 8.1 cubic feet, the S-Class provided ample storage with small cubbies and a spacious center armrest. The standard S-Class offered more cargo space, but the Porsche Panamera plug-in hybrid provided even more with its hatchback design.

The 2022 BMW i4 featured the latest iDrive8 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, navigation, and OTA updates. The user experience was familiar to BMW drivers, with a rotary controller and effective voice recognition system.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class boasted a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen with the MBUX infotainment system. The system offered a variety of games and a natural-language AI assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, along with a native navigation system with augmented reality. The S-Class also featured a head-up display and a Burmester sound system, though all USB ports were USB-C.

The 2022 BMW i4 came with standard driver-assist features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a 360-degree camera system. However, crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The hands-on highway driver-assist system used adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, while Crosswind Assist and Speed Limit Assist provided additional safety. Like the i4, the S-Class had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS.