2012 Lexus LS vs 2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class

2012 Lexus LS

2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class

Select style

4-Door Sedan AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
LS 460 4-Door Sedan AWD	16	23	$64,339	$69,935
LS 460 4-Door Sedan L AWD	16	23	$69,443	$75,480
LS 460 4-Door Sedan L RWD	16	24	$67,323	$73,175
LS 460 4-Door Sedan RWD	16	24	$62,219	$67,630
LS 600h L 4-Door Sedan Hybrid	19	23	$103,732	$112,750

Select style

4-Door Sedan S 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
S-Class 4-Door Sedan S 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC	21	31	$86,072	$92,550
S-Class 4-Door Sedan S 400 Hybrid RWD	19	25	$85,421	$91,850
S-Class 4-Door Sedan S 550 4MATIC	15	24	$90,675	$97,500
S-Class 4-Door Sedan S 550 RWD	15	25	$87,885	$94,500
S-Class 4-Door Sedan S 600 RWD	12	19	$148,335	$159,500
S-Class 4-Door Sedan S 63 AMG RWD	15	23	$129,549	$139,300
S-Class 4-Door Sedan S 65 AMG RWD	12	19	$196,137	$210,900

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$64,339

$86,072

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$69,935

$92,550

Monthly Payment Estimate

$1166 / month

$1543 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.4

Read Our Full Review

9.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2012 Lexus LS sedans combine executive-class interior appointments and long-haul comfort with noteworthy tech features; but driving enjoyment is missing.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has a wide range of personalities--all of them superbly comfortably, some of them outrageously powerful.

TCC Likes

Exquisite, hushed cabin
Strong (and near-silent) acceleration
Exceptional ride quality

High-speed poise
Fantastic multicontour seats
Vast backseat space

TCC Dislikes

Conservative, almost dull styling
Front seats could use more support
Indecisive transmission (LS 460)

Very, very pricey
COMAND controller
Too conservative for some

Fuel Economy

City

16 mpg

21 mpg

Highway

23 mpg

31 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Midsize cars

Large

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

55.5

60.9

Front Shoulder Room (in)

58.5

59.1

Passenger Volume (ft³)

103.0

109.0

Second Head Room (in)

38.0

38.5

Second Shoulder Room (in)

56.9

58.7

Front Leg Room (in)

43.7

41.9

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

55.4

60.8

Second Leg Room (in)

35.8

42.3

Front Head Room (in)

38.0

37.8

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

63.6

63.1

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.5

5.75

Length, Overall (in)

199.2

206.5

Height, Overall (in)

58.1

58.0

Track Width, Rear (in)

63.6

63.2

Wheelbase (in)

116.9

124.6

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

73.8

73.7

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

18.0

16.4

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.1 x - TBD -

11.8 x 0.9

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

14.0 x - TBD -

13.2 x 1.25

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

22.2

23.8

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

15.7

17.83

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.4

40.0

Steering Type

Electric Pwr Rack & Pinion

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

3.1

2.8

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P235/50R18

P255/45R18

Spare Tire Size

P235/50R18

- TBD -

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P235/50R18

P255/45R18

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4597

4784

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 x 7.5

18 x 8.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

18 x 7.5

- TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 x 7.5

18 x 8.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Aluminum

- TBD -

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

- TBD -

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

344 @ 4100

455 @ 2400

Engine Order Code

Displacement

4.6L/281

3.0L/182

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

357 @ 6400

240 @ 3600

Engine Type

Gas V8

Turbocharged Diesel V6

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.86

1.92

Trans Type

Drivetrain

All Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.23

1.00

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.17

3.42

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.68

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.72

2.86

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.13

3.07

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.46

1.37

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/manual shift

Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.82

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.82

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.59

4.38

Summary

Vehicle Name

Lexus LS 460

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Body Style

Sedan

4 Door Sedan

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Independent

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

Multi-Link

Independent

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

10.2

8.5

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