Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2008 Mercedes Benz S-Class VS 2008 Audi A8 Near Scottsdale, AZ

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes S Class are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Audi A8 has only front height-adjustable seat belts.

The S Class S600 has standard Brake Assist Plus, which use forward mounted sensors to detect an immediately impending crash and automatically apply the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash. The A8 doesn't offer crash-mitigating automatic brakes.

An active infrared night vision system optional on the S Class helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera and near-infrared lights to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The A8 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The S Class has standard Tele Aid, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The A8 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies.

Both the S Class and the A8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and available all-wheel drive.

There are over 18 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier to get service under the S Class’ warranty.

The S Class has more powerful engines than the A8:

As tested in Car and Driver the S600 is faster than the A8 L W12:

For more instantaneous acceleration and better engine flexibility in any gear, the S Class’ engines produce their peak horsepower at lower RPM’s than the A8:

The S Class has a tether attaching its gas cap, to prevent its loss. The A8’s gas cap isn’t tethered, so it can be left at a gas station if the driver forgets to screw the cap back in.

For better stopping power the S63/65’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the A8:

The S Class stops much shorter than the A8:

The S Class offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the A8.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S Class’ wheelbase is 8.7 inches longer than on the A8 (124.6 inches vs. 115.9 inches). The S Class’ wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the A8 L (124.6 inches vs. 121 inches).

The S Class’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.5% to 48.5%) than the A8’s (56% to 44%). This gives the S Class more stable handling and braking.

The S65 handles at .90 G’s, while the A8 L W12 pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the S Class’ turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the A8’s (40 feet vs. 41 feet). The S Class’ turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the A8 L’s (40 feet vs. 41.7 feet).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the S Class is rated a Large car by the EPA, while the A8 is rated a Mid-size.

The S Class has 9.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A8 (109.4 vs. 100.3).

The S Class has .5 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more rear headroom, 4.7 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the A8.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the S Class’ available rear seats recline. The A8’s rear seats don’t recline.

The S Class has a much larger trunk than the A8 (16.3 vs. 14.6 cubic feet).

If the windows are left down on the S Class the driver can raise them all using the keyless remote (remote must be aimed at door sensor); on a hot day the driver can lower the windows. The driver of the A8 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the S Class has standard extendable sun visors. The A8 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

A power rear sun shade is standard on the S Class to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. A sunshade costs extra on the A8.