2008 Mercedes-Benz S Class vs. Its Competition

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1 Aug 18, 2008

Each of these other models are offered in two different wheelbases (and lengths), but the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is only sold in its long-wheelbase form in the United States.

The S-Class has typically been a prestige vehicle, carrying executives and captains of industry in style and comfort, but the S63 and S65 AMG models appeal to those craving acceleration that's on par with exotics, along with a sportscar feel, in the S-Class's spacious package.

Audi has the S8, but it's not nearly as powerful or as exclusive as the AMGs, while BMW has the Alpina B7, an elite version with a 500-horsepower supercharged V-8.

There's also the 400-horsepower Jaguar XJR that, along with the cheaper XJ, is faster than the numbers might indicate due to its lightweight aluminum body.

The XJ also stands out for its distinctly British style that steers away from the crowd.

There are powerful 12-cylinder models of the A8 (A8 6.0 L) and 7-Series (760iL) to match the S600; all three have smooth, silent, and immensely torquey engines, but they're gas guzzlers, each and every one.

For the green crowd who must have the best, instead of a V-12, Lexus is offering a hybrid V-8 powertrain on its top-of-the-line LS 600h L model, which gets a highest-in-class rating of 20 mpg city, 22 mpg highway.

2008 Mercedes-Benz S Class Browse Used Listings	2008 Audi A8 Browse Used Listings	2008 BMW 7-Series Browse Used Listings	2008 Jaguar XJ Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
8.8 Hark! The 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is loaded with top safety and comfort-oriented technologies and is one of the best luxury sedans in the world.	8.4 Perky, nimble handling and frisky, refined performance is what separates the 2008 Audi A8 from the rest of the super-sedans.	8.4 Controversially styled, the 2008 BMW 7-Series still performs like a smaller sedan and carries rear passengers with ease.	8.6 The 2008 Jaguar XJ has a rich interior, good fuel economy, and a light touch, but its dowdy exterior is a major letdown.
MSRP From
$86,700	$70,690	$76,800	$63,835
Gas Mileage
11 MPG City / 21 MPG Hwy	16 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy	14 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy	15 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas V8	Gas V8	Gas V8	Gas V8
EPA Class
Large	Large	Large	Large
Style Name
4dr Sedan 5.5L V8 RWD	4dr Sedan	4dr Sedan 750i	4dr Sedan XJ8
Drivetrain
Rear Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
4 Door Sedan	4 Door Sedan	4 Door Sedan	4-Door Sedan XJ8
Transmission
Automatic	Automatic	Automatic w/OD	Automatic w/OD