HEAVYWEIGHT SHOOTOUT: Audi S7 vs. BMW 650i Gran Coupe vs. Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Who Is the King Of The Hill?

So, the BMW 650i xDrive Gran Coupe wins this MotorTrend comparison test. The Audi S7 won the Road and Track comparison test between the same three vehicles.

For those keeping score:

Audi S7: 1 win (R&T), 1 second place finish (MT)

BMW 650i xDrive Gran Coupe: 1 win (MT), 1 second place finish (R&T)

Mercedes-Benz CLS550 4Matic: 0 wins, 0 second place finishes, 2 third place finishes (R&T and MT)

Wow, you really are sad.

You know, when it comes to Motortrend, one must read with a raised brow. I hate to say it, but that is how it goes.

"I hate to say it, but that is how it goes. "

I'm pretty sure that's how it goes for any magazine test.

"If this test were just about pure, back-road capability, the S7 would get the nod. But as the BMW is about 95 percent as capable as the Audi (identical 0.94 max g, too), but offers so much more in desirability, craftsmanship, and that all-important X-factor, we're calling it the winner. As stated, there are no perfect cars. But it's very seldom that I find myself so quick to forgive vehicular flaws. With the BMW Gran Coupe, that's absolutely the case. As such, "The Ultimate Driving Machine" just took on a whole new meaning."


"The S7's driving experience is in some ways the least sporty of the bunch. The smooth V-8 is far too quiet for our tastes, perhaps a function of it being mounted so far forward of the cabin. And it's that quiet despite an active sound generator in the cowl to mimic intake noise. Otherwise, it's all good news: Like the Mercedes, the S7 rides on air springs; unlike the BMW, it isn't bothered by big bumps. The steering is devoid of any real feedback, but it is sufficiently weighty and unfailingly accurate.

Thanks to that sport differential, the S7 turns in like a mid-engine car and, provided you're smooth with your inputs, corners with a neutral attitude. We unanimously judged the seats both the most comfortable and supportive of the group, and the driving position, like the BMW's, seemed to fit everyone perfectly."

Interesting how two magazines can have such different conclusions of the same three cars.

Scores, right, that's why the Audi S7 already beat the "two sexy coupes" you refer to.

I'll the the 6 series GC, Merc cls, last the s7. If we go up a class I'll take the CLS63S AWD, M5GC, then the RS7. Never really cared about the rankings in a car mag. Always subjective

As MB fan, I like the 6GC but I do not care about that, Numbers are clear, the subjective opinions will not change the Fact: AUDI is the Winner. BMW fans prefer numbers when their cars have it, When not, then the subjective opinions are better , the IDEA is to keep BMW at the top...the only thing that I respect of the position is the blind loyalty to a brand located in 10 worst manufactures in engine failure rates....Audi was there but at least it have better numbers.

Germannut, maybe you need to keep score. MBs mission is to create a different product than those offered by Audi or BMW. Not to homogenize the luxury segment where all cars drive sporty, look the same, or feel the same. So, knowing MTs, R&Ts, and C&D's propensity just to look for the "driver's" car, it makes sense that they rarely win these comparisons. Now, as C&D has done in the past, and compare them for luxury virtues, and MB may come out on top.

Clearly, MB is emphasizing luxury in their "standard" offerings, and emphasizing true sport in their AMG packages. As evidenced in ANY comparison of AMG and S/RS/M packages, the AMG packages can handle with or outhandle the best of them. But MB chooses to offer a very different driving experience in their non-AMG cars. It's by intent. And it sells.

cidflekken, you are correct that MB leans much more towards the "luxury" end of the spectrum than the "sport" end in its non-AMG vehicles and that is why MB rarely win comparison tests against its BMW and Audi counterparts.

Regarding sales, BMW and Audi both outsell Mercedes-Benz globally. So, whether the strategy of leaning more towards the luxury side than the sport side is a good one is up for debate.

Yes, and we know why that is: China.

cidflekken: Good points..

Global sales: BMW 1.54m, Audi 1.45m, MB 1.32m.
China sales: BMW 326k, Audi 403k, MB 196k.
Take China out of the equation, and it's BMW 1.214m, Audi 1.049m, MB 1.124m.

So, Audi's doing a better job of marketing in China, no doubt and MB hasn't done a good job. Once MB changes their strategy, which they are already in the process of doing, this picture will change.

sorry, Audi's China sales are 406k.

What? You're mad because japan doesn't even have a vehicle that can compete with these vehicles? Please name a Japanese car that can compete with these cars. "JapanEngineeringNo1"? yet they don't even have a vehicle that can compete here. LOL!! That must hurt.

So what do you do? You make up some senseless comparison between these cars and a Hyundai Sonata. Bitter much? Like someone is going to chose a Sonata over a CLS550. I'm sure you don't even believe the bile that comes out of your own mouth. But hey... That's how you guys (Lexus fans) roll so I'm not surprised. Enjoy Buddy.

What did I tell you? Don't talk when growup up are having a conversation. Now go make yourself useful and go clean the toilet with a tooth brush. By the way I forgot to flush the toilet ; ) lol.... ha...ha...ha...

Sorry agent 001 I can't help myself.

@ JapanEngineeringNo1,

What did I tell you? Don't talk when growup up are having a conversation. Now go make yourself useful and go clean the toilet with a tooth brush. By the way I forgot to flush the toilet ; ) lol.... ha...ha...ha...

Sorry agent 001 I can't help myself.

All the cars are within a few tenths in every performance category. Considering they are not meant for the track, and never will be tracked, it makes sense to pick the best looking, and more importantly the best driving as the winner.

Love the gran coupe, definitely the best IMO.

The fact that the S7 is the best driver's car out of the 650i xDrive Gran Coupe and the CLS550 4Matic gives the RS7 very strong prospects. Although Mercedes will launch the CLS63AMG with 4Matic later this year, the Audi should give the CLS63 some nice competition. The CLS63AMG S-Line will be even more powerful still, but I'm sure that extra power will come with a very hefty price increase.

oddly enough, R&T said the 650xi was the best drivers car of the three, but gave the comparo win to the S7. So you had two different magazines both give second place to the car they said was the best drivers car, they just didn't agree which car that was.

What a wonderful class of cars. There maybe a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, but not a loser in the group.

all amazing cars. much prefer the BMW and and audi though. i agree with C&D that the CLS is just a design disaster....dated interior, overwrought exterior that's almost tacky.

considering both the S7 and gran coupe. but i'm having trouble justifying the huge price gap between the too. at $114,000 for the gran coupe i'd rather have a panamera.

audi seems like the best bet to me...especially at $85,000.

There really isn't any justification for the price gap, except for exclusivity. Which, in many ways, is why most cars carry a premium price in the first place. A7s and CLSs (both AMG and non-AMG) are a dime-a-dozen where I live. I have seen only 1 or 2 GCs out on the streets not being test driven.

so for those of you who deboost without comment...you don't think they're all amazing cars? why? and what's better in the class?

well, the panamera ranges from just under $100k to 200k for the top flight turbo S. and i see tons of those.

What MB did wrong in China was poor marketing and lack of focus on that market.

What MB did wrong in US is not bring its A-class sooner, as BMW has had its 1 Series here for a few years.

Any other questions, Cleveland?

Another manipulative article attempting to forment trouble.

The fact is that all three cars are superior vehicles. It is only up to the person with the cash making the purchase to select the car that appeals to them.

There is no "BEST" among this trio of superlative winners.