Compare the2026 Mercedes S-ClassVS 2026 Lexus LS

The S-Class has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The LS doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The rear seatbelts optional on the S-Class inflate when a collision is detected, helping to spread crash forces over a much larger area of the body and limiting head and neck movement. This can help prevent spinal and internal injuries. The LS doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

The S-Class’ standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The LS doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The S-Class has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The LS doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the S-Class and the LS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are over 57 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the S-Class’ warranty.

The S 500 4MATIC’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 26 more horsepower (442 vs. 416) than the LS’ 3.4 turbo V6. The S 580 4MATIC’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 80 more horsepower (496 vs. 416) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 442) than the LS’ 3.4 turbo V6. The S 580e 4MATIC’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 87 more horsepower (503 vs. 416) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 442) than the LS’ 3.4 turbo V6. The Maybach S 680 4MATIC’s standard 6.0 turbo V12 produces 205 more horsepower (621 vs. 416) and 222 lbs.-ft. more torque (664 vs. 442) than the LS’ 3.4 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the S 580 4MATIC 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid is faster than the Lexus LS:

As tested in Car and Driver the Maybach S 680 4MATIC 6.0 turbo V12 is faster than the LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition:

On the EPA test cycle the S 580e 4MATIC running on electricity gets better mileage than the LS 500 AWD (55 city/68 hwy MPGe vs. 17 city/27 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the S-Class running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the LS:

The S 580e 4MATIC can travel with zero emissions for 47 miles. The LS can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the S-Class (except Maybach 680)’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The LS doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the S-Class’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The LS doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

For better stopping power the S-Class’ brake rotors are larger than those on the LS:

The S-Class stops much shorter than the LS:

For better traction, the S-Class has larger standard tires than the LS (255/45R19 vs. 245/45R20). The Maybach S 680 4MATIC’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LS (265/35R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The Maybach S 680 4MATIC’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LS’ 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Maybach S 680 4MATIC has standard 21-inch wheels. The LS’ largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The front and rear suspension of the S-Class uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the LS, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The S-Class offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lexus doesn’t offer an active suspension on the LS.

The S-Class has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The S-Class’ height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The LS doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The S-Class’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The LS doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the LS (126.6 inches vs. 123 inches). The Maybach S-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is 10.7 inches longer than on the LS (133.7 inches vs. 123 inches).

The S 500 4MATIC handles at .92 G’s, while the LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the S-Class Sedan w/Rear-Axle Steering’s turning circle is 3.5 feet tighter than the LS AWD’s (35.9 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Mercedes S-Class may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 200 pounds less than the Lexus LS.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the S-Class a Large car, while the LS is rated a Mid-size.

The S-Class has 14.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LS (112 vs. 97.6).

The S-Class Sedan has 5.3 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 3 inches more rear headroom, 4.9 inches more rear legroom, 6.8 inches more rear hip room and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the LS.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the S-Class’ available rear seats recline. The LS’ rear seats don’t recline.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the S-Class to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The LS doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the S-Class has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The LS doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

A power rear sunshade and rear side window sunshades are standard in the S-Class to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The LS doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The S-Class has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The LS doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the S-Class and the LS have standard massaging front seats. The S-Class also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the LS.

The S-Class has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The LS doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The S-Class’ Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The LS’ automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its November 2022 issue and they ranked the Mercedes S 500 4MATIC first. They ranked the Lexus LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition third.

The Mercedes S-Class outsold the Lexus LS by over three to one during 2024.