Honda Accord vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The seventh generation of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class made its debut in 2021 and continued its strong presence with various trims, including the S 500, S 580, Maybach S 580, and Maybach S 680. In 2023, the automaker ventured into electrification with the S 580e, offering a plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD). The standard full-size S-Class was renowned for its calm sophistication, characterized by clean lines and a sculpted front end. For the S 580e, optional high-gloss black trim, 20-inch AMG wheels, and AMG-style front and rear bumpers, along with side skirts, added a touch of sportiness without compromising the overall elegance.

Inside, the options were extensive, from eight colors of sumptuous leather upholstery to five different trim materials. The S 580e exuded luxury with its Sienna Brown and Black leather interior, which was an extra $3,110. A panoramic sunroof, superb fit and finish, and ridiculously soft headrests completed the high-end feel. The interior boasted massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, and armrests, with extensive ambient lighting options.

The 2023 Honda Accord, redesigned for the year, offered a more technical look compared to its predecessor. The model featured a conservative yet modern design, with the Canyon River Blue paint standing out and receiving several compliments. The EX trim added pewter-finished wheels, an agreeable middle ground between the sparkling silver wheels of the LX and the black wheels popular with other models.

Inside, the Accord EX featured cloth seats with contrast stitching, a stylish metal mesh dashboard trim, and digital instrumentation paired with a touchscreen infotainment system. With a more practical and accessible approach, the Accord EX provided affordable yet appealing interior features suitable for its class.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S 580e combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six cylinder engine with a 28.6-kWh battery and an electric motor, allowing for 56 miles of all-electric range. Charging the battery at home cost about $8.93 in California, with a full charge taking around two hours and 20 minutes. The S 580e was capable of DC fast charging at 60 kW. The EPA rated its MPGe at 51 combined, but during testing, it achieved 53.9 mpg. The car had 510 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, rocketing from 0 to 62 mph in about 4.4 seconds.

Driving the S 580e in Comfort mode meant absorbing broken pavement and speed bumps effortlessly, thanks to the buttery-soft air suspension. Rear-wheel steering added to maneuverability, especially for tight u-turns. Despite its versatility, it was not a sports car, but rather a luxury cruiser with seamless hybrid performance and a slight jerk only occasionally noticeable when downshifting into first gear.

For the 2023 Honda Accord LX and EX, the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine generated 192 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 rpm and 5,000 rpm. The power was adequate for the 3,280-pound EX. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided a smooth experience around town and mimicked traditional automatic transmissions under hard acceleration.

The Accord had a front-wheel-drive layout, and the ride quality was tactilely communicative yet aurally quiet, with a solid structure and successful suspension filtering. The EPA rated the Accord LX and EX at 32 mpg combined, but the test car achieved 28.7 mpg in triple-digit heat and continuous air conditioning use. On twisty roads, the Accord EX handled well, its brakes performed admirably, but the CVT’s Sport mode fell short in satisfaction, and the Michelin Energy tires displayed some squealing during aggressive maneuvers.

The interior of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was filled with high-end features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and armrests. The layout emphasized luxury and comfort, with options like power sunshades, soft-closing doors, and ambient lighting in 64 colors. The S 580e offered storage space, with numerous smaller compartments and a center armrest, though its cargo space was limited to 8.1 cubic feet in the trunk—less than the standard S-Class's 12.9 cubic feet and significantly less than competitors like the Porsche Panamera plug-in hybrid with 14 cubic feet.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX, on the other hand, added practical and convenient features such as heated exterior mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and heated front seats. However, it lacked rear air conditioning vents, rear USB charging ports, and a height-adjustable front passenger seat. The Accord EX’s rear seat provided excellent leg support and easy access, with an ample 16.7 cubic-foot trunk offering substantial storage space and easy loading.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class boasted a 12.3-inch reconfigurable digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen center display featuring the MBUX infotainment system. The system integrated a large map on the home screen, supported by natural-language AI, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Unique features like augmented reality navigation provided numerical addresses and directional arrows overlaid on video from the forward-facing camera, enhancing usability. The standard Burmester sound system catered to audiophiles, and wireless charging with USB-C ports was available.

For the 2023 Honda Accord EX, technology included a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system supported Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and HondaLink connected services, including Wi-Fi access and an SOS emergency call button. The EX came with an eight-speaker audio system, but notably lacked SiriusXM satellite radio. The Accord’s physical controls were user-friendly, though the function control knob was somewhat confusing.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was well-equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. The highway driver-assist system used adaptive cruise control for maintaining set distances and lane centering, while Crosswind Assist and Speed Limit Assist offered additional safety features. However, safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not available for the 2023 S-Class.

The 2023 Honda Accord came standard with Honda Sensing ADAS, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The EX trim offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert for a reasonable cost. Honda Sensing's performance was accurate and refined, earning the Accord a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.