CAR WARS! The Biggest And Baddest Large Luxury Sedans Slug It Out — BMW 7-Series vs. Mercedes-Benz S-Class

In the world of high-end, large luxury sedans there really are only three choices right now. You have the Audi A8, the BMW 7-Series and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. There's just one problem: while the Audi remains competitive, it is long in the tooth.

That means you really only are looking at the 7-Series and the S-Class.

Having just driven the 7-Series and after having a lot of time in the S, I must admit this would be an awfully tough decision to make if it were presented to me. Both cars are excellent and really pushing the boundaries of what each company is branded to be. Here's the rub though. They're both different. It comes down to the subjectivity of what the buyer wants to really justify the purchase.

To see what exactly CNET thinks, you should check out the following clip. Remember, CNET is super geeked out about technology and, frankly, both cars are tech tour de forces.

...To start, both are phenomenal cars. As they should be, given how much they cost. Both are immensely safe, powerful and modern machines.

Of the two, the Mercedes is slightly more comforting. The seats are softer, the ride is more compliant, and overall, it's the more isolating experience. The BMW is also plenty comfortable, amazingly so in fact, but it's slightly more aggressive in terms of feel and a bit more progressive in terms of technology.

For the driver's car -- and for a tech-lover's car -- we have to give the nod to the BMW...

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MDarringer - 2/13/2016 10:09:19 AM

+3 Boost

If I wanted a large premium sedan, I'd go with the Mercedes or go rogue with the Genesis G90. The 7 Series and A8 look 10 years old. The XJ is ugly as sin and the Qporte is mediocre at best.

TauronB2G - 2/13/2016 11:40:49 AM

+3 Boost

I would go with a sportier option in both these cars. I'm thinking S63. I rather like the Jaguar XJ R. The Audi is cool but getting boring.
T

Car4life1 - 2/13/2016 11:51:16 AM

+3 Boost

WOWWWW, pictured next to eachother the S Class makes the 7 series look like it meant to come out a generation ago, and just think the Refresh of S Class is due out soon, the competition simply cannot keep up!

PUGPROUD - 2/13/2016 1:10:26 PM

+2 Boost

You guys are right...the 7 exterior is so yesterday. And speaking of its new high tech gadgets who needs a car key that has to be recharged ?

MDarringer - 2/13/2016 1:48:06 PM

-1 Boost

People here sneer about Hyundai/Kia--and no the Equus and K900 are no competition for the S Class--but my brother-in-law's dad got rid of a 10 year old S Class for an Equus on a whim because son got the first Genesis and loved it. The dad will readily admit that the Equus is no S Class, but he will quickly add that it is indeed a good first try into the segment. I lived with a K900 for a few months courtesy of Kia and it's no S Class, but it's far from terrible.

I don't like how the XJ and A8 drive...ditto the Qporte and LS, but the K900 and Equus are not demonstrably worse.

The 7 Series isn't a bad driver, but neither is it the kick in the balls that the S Class is.

I really want to live with a G90 for a while. I suspect it too will be no S Class, but I suspect it will be worlds better than the Equus/K900 and that should worry the bland mobiles (A8/LS) and as for styling it kills the Aztekian XJ. Don't even get me started on the Maserati Gran Fury.

delan - 2/14/2016 8:06:49 AM

+1 Boost

Define Aztekian...

cidflekken - 2/13/2016 3:12:03 PM

+3 Boost

Wow, I was really interested in reading this article or watching this video. Until I realized it was "the Road Show" that published it and I knew it would be rubbish.

cidflekken - 2/13/2016 3:12:48 PM

+3 Boost

So, no, I didn't watch it. So, no, I don't know what their end-verdict it. So, I'm not calling their verdict here rubbish. Their channel/publications, IMO, are rubbish.

skytop - 2/13/2016 11:30:11 PM

0 Boost

BMW has lost its connection to current style. Its cars all look like they are 10 to 15 years old. Their designs are seriously outdated and tired looking.

MDarringer - 2/14/2016 10:35:09 AM

+2 Boost

And yet they have given us show cars like the CS coupesedan and the Gran Lusso that were provocative yet never translated to production. The Gran Lusso promised a return to the athletic and sinewy 7 Series that preceded the Bangle atrocity, but instead we got an all-new old car.

runninglogan1 - 2/14/2016 1:31:28 AM

+1 Boost

I'm amazed the article states that the Benz rides softer than the 7. I drove the new 7 and in its comfort plus setting, the ride is Rolls Royce cushy. Not surprising since both are made by the same company.

t_bone - 2/14/2016 8:33:34 AM

0 Boost

Just realized the 7 wraps up a bunch of abs with leather and stuffs it in the back...forcing it to be a 4 seater.

The key fob is nearly the size of a Roku remote.

I miss my 2001 330i and every year pushes this company further away from my interest.

LJ745 - 2/15/2016 7:09:03 PM

+1 Boost

The 7 is the nicer of the two cars. Better looks and better execution of technology. The S-Class is, as always, ostentatious without being able to back it up in terms of performance.