There’s a good chance that when you say “Mercedes-Benz S-Class,” the first thing that comes to mind is the BMW 7 Series, and vice versa. Since it’s arguably the two brands’ most iconic rivalry, that makes sense. The latest addition to the competition is the 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It’s getting a mid-life refresh, similar to the BMW 7 Series later this year. But before that reveal, let’s take a look at the comparison of the two sedans.
Exterior design
Mercedes has introduced a larger grille for the 2027 S-Class, and it’s obvious. The G70 7 Series’ larger grille serves as a noticeable influence; It’s obvious when you look at the two side by side. Mercedes ditches the twin headlight look and instead goes for a more traditional front design, which I think adds a certain elegance. From the side, both look impressive, although the 7 looks a bit more “monolithic”. The silhouette of the S-Class has admittedly not changed significantly compared to last year. The stylish new 50 cross-spoke wheels will certainly give the S-Class a sporty touch compared to the 7 Series. At least from outside the car. The 7 Series is also slightly longer than the S-Class.
At the back, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class gets stylish new taillights in the image of the brand’s three-pointed star. Little else changes – more of a refresh than a complete model change. Compared to the BMW 7 Series, the new S-Class looks unremarkable, which isn’t entirely unusual given the brand’s ethos.
Interior design
The biggest news in the interior may be the introduction of heated seat belts. BMW doesn’t have an answer for this feature, although I’m not sure how many customers it will convince on its own. Speaking of big, the screens are larger: the middle display measures 14.4 inches and two 12.3-inch screens on either side. It’s entirely possible that BMW will add another screen to the LCI BMW 7 Series later this year. But for now, Merc is the king of movie real estate.
Of course, in this segment, what happens in the rear is just as important as what the driver sees. Fittingly, the rear seats get larger screens compared to the previous model, putting the 7 Series’ screens to shame. New remote controls for air conditioning and blinds make adjustments even more effortless. Although they are minor improvements, these changes are still a step ahead of the S-Class in terms of features. At least for now.
Performance
Shockingly big news on the performance front: the S-Class now comes with a flat-plane crank V8. The new powertrain also makes more horsepower – 530 to be exact. However, the juiced-up power plant still makes less power than the V8-powered 7 Series. Its 4.4-liter mill produces 536 horsepower. The six-cylinder engine also produces more torque than the previous model. An overboost function allows it to achieve 472 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid S-Class also delivers more power – a whopping 576 hp. Importantly, a V12 option will also be available, although technically it will be sold as a Maybach. Still, it’s more V12 than BMW can sell you. We expect the refreshed Mercedes S-Class to be very similar to the previous model. Maybe better than the 7 Series, but probably not more fun to drive. Admittedly, the standard rear-wheel steering should help the new S-Class feel a little more agile.
technology
With the interior test we took a little care of the technology, but we’ll say it again: The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the king of screens in the upper-class luxury sedan segment. Larger screens on the front and back rely on an already over-the-top approach in the screen department. The latest MBUX system integrates “multiple AI agents” for improved usability and customization, but in practice there is little change. Expect voice commands, augmented reality navigation, and in-car gaming. all the stuff you can find in the current 7 Series.
The S-Class arguably makes its biggest strides in the powertrain department, which is somewhat unexpected. It will be very interesting to see where BMW takes the 7 Series in just a few months when we will see an official debut. We’re probably biased, but the 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class seems to be catching up a bit to the 7 Series. Maybe after some time we will have a different feeling.
