2009 Mercedes-Benz S Class vs. Its Competition

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Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

Trevor Wild

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1 Apr 3, 2009

Major competitors to the 2009 S-Class include the Audi A8, the BMW 7-Series, the Jaguar XJ, and the Lexus LS.

The XJ 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 offers 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 highway.

Each of these other models are offered in two different wheelbases (and lengths), but the 2009 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-hp supercharged V-8.

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

2009 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 The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of the best vehicles in the world—but you’ll pay for it.	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
$89,350	$70,690	$76,800	$63,835
Gas Mileage
11 MPG City / 22 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