Compare The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs. 2021 Lexus LS For Life In Southern California

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs. 2021 Lexus LS: Luxury & Prestige

The Lexus brand attempts to elevate Toyota engineering to the level of premium luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz. But a closer look at the 2021 Lexus LS reveals how it can't quite compete with the S-Class when it comes to luxury and refinement. For instance, on the exterior, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class comes standard with flush door handles. They extend to greet your hand to enter the vehicle for a premium touch not available on the Lexus LS. You also get standard climate-controlled front seats with 10 different massage functions for a comfortable cruise. That's a feature that'll cost you thousands as part of a premium options package on the 2021 Lexus LS.

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs. 2021 Lexus LS: Technology

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class brings a level of technology that's unlike anything else on the road. For instance, while both vehicles offer a head-up display, the Augmented Reality HUD in the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class can show information on virtually the entire windshield. It projects driver assist feedback, navigation instructions and more so that it appears on the road ahead of you. So you can keep your attention where it's needed. There's nothing like this on the 2021 Lexus LS.

You also get a unique 3D instrument cluster. The digital dashboard, infotainment display and other screens feature a futuristic look that helps you connect seamlessly to the world around your vehicle. For a level of convenience and ease that you can't find on the rival from Lexus.

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs. 2021 Lexus LS: Performance

The 2021 Lexus LS makes more horsepower at the entry level than what's currently offered by the BMW 7-Series or Audi A8 -- but not the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It generates a best-in-class 429 standard horsepower from its new standard six-cylinder turbocharged engine. Even more than the 2021 Lexus LS. And since the Lexus has a V-shaped engine instead of an inline engine, it's not as exquisitely balanced, as luxuriously smooth or as excitedly thunderous when you hit the gas.

Both cars offer an adjustable air suspension to make your full-sized executive sedan even more comfortable on a wide variety of road surfaces. But it'll cost you extra as an option on the 2021 Lexus LS. Same with all-wheel drive. The 2021 Mercedes-Bens S-Class comes standard with 4MATIC^® all-wheel drive and an adaptive air suspension for the most premium driving experience. It's just what you expect from an S-Class.

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs. 2021 Lexus LS: Safety

The 2021 Lexus LS offers plenty of advanced safety equipment and driver assistance, but nothing so truly innovative as what you find on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Your journey starts with the standard Surround View Camera that presents your whole vehicle and its surroundings on the screen in top-down view. So you can protect the paint job while parking safely and easily. This comes standard on every 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class but it'll cost you extra on the 2021 Lexus LS.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class even boasts exclusive safety features you won't find on any Lexus LS, such as the available rear passenger frontal airbags and PRESAFE^® Impulse Side technology to nudge rear passengers away from the doors during a side impact collision.