Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2016 Mercedes Benz S-Class VS 2016 Lexus LS Near Scottsdale, AZ

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 Series doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

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 LS Series doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The S-Class offers an optional Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The LS Series only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The S-Class’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The LS Series doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the S-Class and the LS Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems and blind spot warning systems.

There are over 58 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-Class has more powerful engines than the LS Series:

As tested in Car and Driver the Mercedes S-Class is faster than the Lexus LS Series:

On the EPA test cycle the S-Class gets better fuel mileage than the LS Series:

The S550e can drive on battery power alone for up to 18.6 miles. The LS Series must run its internal combustion engine to move.

Regardless of its engine, the S-Class’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the LS Series Hybrid.

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

The S-Class S63/S65 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The LS Series doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The S-Class stops much shorter than the LS Series:

For better traction, the S-Class has larger standard tires than the LS Series (F:245/40R20 & R:275/35R20 vs. 235/50R18). The S63/S65’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LS Series (F:255/40R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. 245/45R19).

The S-Class’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LS Series’ standard 50 series tires. The S-Class’ optional 245/40R20 front and 275/35R20 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the LS Series’ optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S-Class offers optional 20-inch wheels. The LS Series’ largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the S-Class can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The LS Series doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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

The S-Class offers an available 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 Series.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S-Class’ wheelbase is 7.7 inches longer than on the LS Series (124.6 inches vs. 116.9 inches). The S-Class’ wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the LS Series LWB (124.6 inches vs. 121.7 inches).

The Maybach S600 handles at .88 G’s, while the LS 600h L AWD pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The S600 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the LS 600h L AWD (25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

The S-Class has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 7.2 inches more rear legroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the LS Series.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the S-Class’ available trunk can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The LS Series doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The S-Class offers an optional heads-up display which projects speed readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The LS Series doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the S-Class and the LS Series have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the S-Class is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The LS Series prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 Series 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 Series doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The S-Class’ power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The LS Series’ power mirror controls are on the dash, hidden behind the steering wheel, where they are awkward to manipulate.

The S-Class’ optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The LS Series doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Both the Mercedes S-Class and Lexus LS Series won four awards in Kiplinger’s 2015 car issue.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the S-Class first among large premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The LS Series isn’t in the top three.

 The S-Class is ranked first in its class and received the 2015 “Total Quality Award.” The LS Series is not ranked.

The S-Class was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 3 of the last 16 years. The LS hasn’t been picked since 2001.

The Mercedes S-Class outsold the Lexus LS Series by over three to one during the 2015 model year.