BMW 7 Series vs. Mercedes S-Class: which is better?
Two luxury cars are put to the test as we review and compare the Mercedes S-Class with the BMW 7 Series
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The BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class offer a real glimpse into how the other half live and are filled to the brim with all the latest tech, gadgets and safety equipment.
Whether you’re looking for a luxurious car for you and your family or you fancy the idea of being driven around, the 7 Series vs. S-Class battle is an age-old showdown of two of the best cars on sale.
Even though buying one of these new today will cost you well over £100,000, you can find used models for a fraction of this that still come with more equipment than the cheapest new cars.
Whatever your budget and reason for wanting one of these large saloons, we’ve got all the key differences covered below.
Mercedes S-Class vs. BMW 7 Series: which has more style?
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Mercedes has long been credited with building some of the most stylish cars, and the S-Class is no exception.
Compared with the 7 Series, which has much sharper lines and boxier dimensions, the S-Class looks softer and slicker.
Both cars have a tremendous amount of road presence, so you’re guaranteed to turn heads whichever you pick.
What is it like to drive a BMW 7 Series vs. a Mercedes S-Class?
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Because both cars are so big, you’ll find large engines under their bonnets, which means they can be considerably quicker than your typical family hatchback, whether that’s a regular model, a plug-in hybrid, or one of the many performance versions.
Unless you go for one of the very few all-wheel-drive models, both the 7 Series and the S-Class are rear-wheel-drive, which can be more confidence-inspiring with such large amounts of power.
They can be incredibly fun to drive, but they can weigh well over two tonnes, so neither will feel as sporty as other cars from the brands. They make easy work of covering hundreds of motorway miles, though.
7 Series vs. S-Class: interior and technology
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Before cheaper cars get new technologies, Mercedes and BMW will often try out their latest car tech in their flagship models: the S-Class and the 7 Series. The S-Class was the first car from any manufacturer to get seatbelt pretensioners, for example.
The large touchscreen ‘iDrive’ infotainment system in the 7 Series is easy to use, and there’s plenty of control for even rear-seat passengers when it comes to multi-zone climate control, heated and cooled seats, and massaging seats depending on which model you pick.
One of the key selling points of later 7 Series models is its digital key, which has a small display that allows drivers to check and control the car’s status and some functions like parking.
The S-Class interior is plush and elegant but it’s not short on technology, with things like a rear-seat entertainment system and plenty of interior lighting.
Both cars are also available in long-wheelbase format for even more space in the back, but regular versions are spacious enough.
Does the Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7 Series have more boot space?
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Despite the longer dimensions, don’t expect such a large boot. In fact, there’s not a lot that separates the boot size between the S-Class and the smaller E-Class, and the 5 Series has a (very slightly) larger boot than its 7 Series sibling.
The difference between the two models in question is not too big, either. The latest 2021-onward S-Class has a 540-litre space, while the 2022-onward 7 Series has 525 litres of space.
Earlier models of the S-Class have 510 litres compared with the previous-generation 7 Series’ 515 litres.
It’s worth noting that various factors can have a negative impact on boot space. As usual, hybrid setups eat into boot space because of the large battery, but even optional extras like a fridge are available, which limit boot space.
Long-wheelbase versions of both are available, but they have the same size boots – the focus is on providing more rear legroom.
BMW 7 Series vs. Mercedes S-Class reliability and safety
Neither car has ever been tested by Euro NCAP because the organisation is more interested in checking how safe more mainstream models are.
Still, their smaller relatives – the 5 Series and the E-Class – have both been awarded five-star ratings. Because the 7 Series and S-Class have even more safety kit, you can be sure that drivers and passengers will be well protected.
They’re both reliable models, and the quality of the materials used means that they’re both likely to last a long time. Both come with a three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty.
That said, cost of ownership is higher than average. Expect to pay more for servicing, insurance, car tax, and replaceables like tyres.
What are the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class dimensions?
These are some of the longest cars you can buy – even longer than the Range Rover and large estate cars.
The previous 7 Series is 5,108mm long in standard form, or 5,248mm long in long-wheelbase form. Both are 2,169mm wide and around 1,467mm tall depending on the trim level.
Newer 2022-onward 7 Series models are bigger than most other cars you’ll find on the road, at 5,391mm long. There’s only one length to choose from. They’re also 2,192mm wide and 1,544mm tall.
For reference, standard British parking spaces are around 2.4-2.5m wide, which means opening the doors could be a problem. They also very rarely offer more than 5m of length, so it’s almost guaranteed that the 7 Series will stick out.
The same is true of the S-Class, which is 5,116mm long, 2,130mm wide and 1,493mm tall. Long-wheelbase versions are 5,246mm long.
The 2021-onward model is 5,179mm long, but longer 5,289mm models are also available. They’re all 2,109mm wide and around 1,503mm tall.
Mercedes S-Class vs. BMW 7 Series: which should you buy?
When you get to this type of car, you can have it all. The decision really comes down to which you prefer the look of most because they’re just as lavishly equipped, good to drive, and comfortable to ride in.