2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2023 BMW 7 Series

The 2023 BMW 7 Series introduced a bold new design language, marked by its oversized beveled grille and split lighting elements. The front-end styling, initially jarring, became more palatable over time, especially with the influence of paint color and style themes. The M Sport theme added chrome accents, while the M Sport Professional theme offered a more aggressive look by blacking out the chrome. The profile maintained the classic 7 Series silhouette, though the black plastic recessed door handles seemed out of place on lighter paint options. The rear end was more conventional, featuring distinctive horizontal taillights. Inside, the 7 Series boasted a modern and minimal interior with a broad horizontal layout, illuminated crystal-like accent strips, and a futuristic curved glass housing for the instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The materials were of excellent quality, with open pore wood trim choices preferred for their matte surface. The leather seat upholstery added visual interest, and the available light gray cashmere wool-blend upholstery provided a cozy feel. The rear seats exuded luxury, especially with the optional Rear Executive Lounge Seating package, which included a reclining passenger-side seat and a theater screen.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class continued to exude calm sophistication with its clean lines and sculpted front end. Our tester, the S 580e, featured optional high-gloss black trim, 20-inch AMG wheels, and AMG-style bumpers and side skirts, adding a touch of sportiness. Inside, the S-Class offered a choice of eight leather upholstery colors and five trim materials, with our tester showcasing Sienna Brown and Black leather. The panoramic sunroof and superb fit and finish were complemented by ridiculously soft headrests. The interior was filled with standard features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and armrests. Power sunshades and soft-closing doors added to the luxury experience. The ambient lighting offered 64 colors, and the Energizing Comfort wellness program combined various interior elements for a mood-boosting experience. The trunk space was limited at 8.1 cubic feet, but the standard S-Class offered 12.9 cubic feet, with the Porsche Panamera plug-in hybrid providing even more space.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series offered two initial powertrains. The base 740i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowing the rear-wheel-drive 740i to accelerate to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The 760i xDrive upgraded to a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, delivering 536 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, reaching 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The V8-powered 760i xDrive impressed with its quick and fluid response, offering a sporty handling experience. The ride quality was slightly stiffer than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but not intrusive. Sport mode enhanced cornering and steering responsiveness, appealing to drivers who valued performance alongside comfort.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S 580e combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 28.6-kWh battery and an electric motor, offering 56 miles of all-electric range. The battery could be charged at 11 kW, with a full charge taking about two hours and 20 minutes. The S 580e also supported DC fast charging at 60 kW. The EPA rated the S 580e PHEV at 51 MPGe combined, but our test achieved 53.9 mpg. The powertrain produced 510 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, allowing the PHEV to reach 62 mph in about 4.4 seconds. The S-Class excelled in comfort mode, with a buttery soft air suspension and rear-wheel steering for improved maneuverability. The hybrid mode offered smooth transitions between electric and gas power, with seamless gear shifts. Brake regeneration could be adjusted, and a creep function was available for one-pedal driving.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series offered power-operated doors, but they required standing well behind the doors to open them fully. Inside, the doors closed with a button on the dashboard, which could be useful for shuttling passengers. The front seats were generously padded with plenty of power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seats were spacious, accommodating tall passengers with ease. The lounge seating option added a reclining passenger-side rear seat with massage functions. A 31.3-inch rear entertainment screen folded down from the panoramic sunroof, but its central placement could cause neck strain. The trunk offered 13.7 cubic feet of cargo space, larger than some competitors. Interior storage was adequate, with a wireless charging pad, cupholders, and small door pockets.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with standard features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and armrests. Power sunshades and soft-closing doors added to the luxury experience. The ambient lighting offered 64 colors, and the Energizing Comfort wellness program combined various interior elements for a mood-boosting experience. The trunk space was limited at 8.1 cubic feet, but the standard S-Class offered 12.9 cubic feet. The center armrest provided ample storage, and there were plenty of small cubbies for smaller items.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series featured iDrive 8, the latest version of BMW's infotainment system. It could be operated via touchscreen, central dial, or voice commands. While basic functions were easy to use, more complex tasks required navigating through multiple menus. Voice controls helped alleviate some frustrations, but they interrupted music or podcasts. The standard 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System provided excellent audio quality. The optional theater screen had inconsistent touchscreen inputs, and the missing handheld remote control made navigation challenging. Overall, iDrive 8 felt bloated and less intuitive compared to previous versions and rival systems.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class boasted a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen center display with the latest MBUX infotainment system. The home screen featured a map, with tiles that could be overlaid or displayed on a black background. The system included games for entertainment during charging. The natural-language AI assistant was effective, responding to voice commands and even telling jokes. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, and the native navigation system impressed with augmented reality features. However, the stoplight view feature seemed unnecessary. Wireless charging and USB-C ports were included, and the standard Burmester sound system pleased audiophiles.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign reader, adaptive headlights, parking sensors, and safe exit warnings. The optional Driving Assistance Professional package added a hands-free automated driving system for highways. The adaptive cruise control was smooth, and the highway driving assistant reduced driver fatigue on long trips. A level 3 automated driving system was planned for German and Chinese markets, with potential U.S. availability.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered a comprehensive suite of ADAS safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. The hands-on highway driver-assist system used adaptive cruise control to maintain distance and lane centering, with automatic lane changes. Crosswind Assist kept the car stable in side winds, and Speed Limit Assist adjusted cruising speed based on traffic signs. The S-Class had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS.