2023 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The seventh generation of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which debuted in 2021, continued to impress in 2023 with its S 500, S 580, Maybach S 580, and Maybach S 680 trims. The 2023 model year saw the introduction of the S 580e, a plug-in hybrid with 4Matic all-wheel drive. The S-Class maintained its reputation for calm sophistication with clean lines and a sculpted front end. Our tester, the S 580e, featured high-gloss black trim, 20-inch AMG wheels, and AMG-style bumpers and side skirts, adding a touch of sportiness to its otherwise stately appearance.

Inside, the S-Class offered a luxurious experience with eight different leather upholstery colors and five trim materials. Our tester featured Sienna Brown and Black leather, complemented by a panoramic sunroof and superb fit and finish. The headrests were notably soft, making it a challenge for the driver to stay awake but perfect for passengers seeking comfort. The interior was designed to provide an opulent and relaxing environment, with features like massaging seats and a variety of ambient lighting options.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid, particularly in the range-topping Touring trim, showcased an elegant exterior that drew positive attention. The Accord's design, reminiscent of luxury sedans like the Audi A7, featured a sleek profile with a redesigned front grille and updated LED lighting. The car's length increased by nearly three inches, giving it a more planted stance and a flowing roofline that tapered to the trunk. The Accord Touring, starting at approximately $38,435, offered seven exterior colors and 19-inch alloy wheels with black accents.

Inside, the Accord adopted a layout similar to the Civic and CR-V, with a strip of honeycomb mesh trim hiding the dash-mounted air vents. The Touring trim came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless device charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our tester featured Canyon River Blue Metallic paint and a black leather interior. The front seats provided excellent support, while the rear seats offered generous legroom and shoulder room, though headroom was slightly compromised by the roofline. The trunk space was impressive at 16.7 cubic feet, making it practical for everyday use.

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, delivering 510 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. The car offered 56 miles of all-electric range and could be charged at home in about two hours and 20 minutes. The S 580e achieved an impressive 53.9 mpg during testing, with 223 of the nearly 400 miles driven on electric power alone. The car accelerated from 0 to 62 mph in about 4.4 seconds, matching the performance of the S 580 with its twin-turbo V8.

The S 580e featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel steering, which allowed for smooth transitions between electric and gas power. The air suspension provided a luxurious ride, absorbing road imperfections effortlessly. Drivers could adjust the brake regeneration levels and opt for a creep function for a one-pedal driving experience. The car's performance was characterized by its seamless gear shifts and comfortable ride, though it was not designed to be a sports car.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing 204 horsepower sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission. The Accord Hybrid offered smooth and efficient performance, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The car handled highway merges and passing maneuvers with ease, and the suspension provided a balanced ride, neither too firm nor too soft.

Honda enhanced the regenerative braking system in the Accord Hybrid, increasing the levels from four to six, allowing for more fine-tuning. The car's agile handling made it enjoyable to drive in various environments, and its increased length did not hinder its ability to park in tight spots. The Accord Hybrid's performance was characterized by its smooth ride and efficient power delivery, making it a practical choice for everyday driving.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with standard features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats for both front and rear passengers. The car also featured a heated steering wheel and armrests, power sunshades, and soft-closing doors. The ambient lighting system offered 64 colors, creating a customizable and luxurious interior environment. The Energizing Comfort wellness program combined lighting, massage, audio, fragrance, and climate controls to enhance the driving experience.

Storage options included small cubbies and a spacious center armrest, though the trunk space was limited to 8.1 cubic feet due to the hybrid powertrain. The standard S-Class offered 12.9 cubic feet of cargo space, while the Porsche Panamera plug-in hybrid provided over 14 cubic feet with its hatchback design.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid's cabin featured a layout similar to the Civic and CR-V, with a strip of honeycomb mesh trim hiding the dash-mounted air vents. The Touring trim included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless device charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The front seats provided excellent support, and the rear seats offered generous legroom and shoulder room, though headroom was slightly compromised by the roofline. The trunk space was impressive at 16.7 cubic feet, making it practical for everyday use.

The Accord Hybrid's interior was designed for comfort and convenience, with a traditional gearshift replacing the previous button-based system. The car featured a dedicated volume control knob and climate control buttons, making it easy to adjust settings while driving. The overall build quality was solid, adding to the Accord's upscale feel.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen center display with the latest MBUX infotainment system. The system included a variety of games, a natural-language AI assistant, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an augmented reality navigation system. The optional large color head-up display provided additional information, and the forward-facing camera offered a stoplight view. The car also included wireless charging and USB-C ports, along with a standard Burmester sound system.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument display. The Touring trim included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless device charging pad, "Hey Google" virtual assistant, Amazon Alexa, and a head-up display. The car also featured a 12-speaker Bose audio system, HD radio, and four USB ports. The infotainment system was intuitive and easy to navigate, with physical volume and climate control buttons for added convenience.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. The car also featured a hands-on highway driver-assist system, Crosswind Assist, and Speed Limit Assist. However, the S-Class had not yet been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid came with the Honda Sensing bundle of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a rear-seat reminder. The Touring trim added a multi-angle rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, and a head-up display. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional for $550. The Accord Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, scoring "Good" in all crash tests and receiving high marks for its headlights, crash avoidance, and child seat compatibility.