Luxury sedans have a habit of turning ordinary commutes into small theatrical experiences — soft-close doors, whisper-quiet cabins, screens that seem to know what you want before you do. In 2025, the two contenders still getting a lot of attention are the redesigned Lexus LS and the ever-evolving Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
One leans on Japanese calm, rock-solid reliability, and thoughtful tech; the other is a tech-forward German lounge on wheels that keeps raising the bar for what a luxury car can do. If you’re deciding which gives the better bang for your hard-earned buck, this head-to-head looks beyond badges and into engines, interiors, rear-seat comfort, tech, ride quality, and, critically, ownership value.
Powertrain And Performance: Poise Vs. Punch
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- Base Trim Engine
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3.4L V6 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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10-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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416 HP @6000 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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442 lb.-ft. @ 1600 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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18/29/22 MPG
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- Base Trim Engine
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3L AMG I6 Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
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9-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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442 HP
- Base Trim Torque
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413 lb.-ft.
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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21/31/24 MPG
When it comes to personality, the 2026 Lexus LS and 2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class couldn’t be more different under the hood. The LS arrives with a single, well-sorted powertrain: a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 making 416 horsepower and 442 pound-feet, paired with a slick 10-speed automatic and available all-wheel drive.
It’s a setup designed for effortlessness rather than theatrics. Acceleration is smooth, predictable, and whisper-quiet, giving you the sense that the LS is more interested in gliding than sprinting. Even during hard acceleration, the engine avoids drama; everything feels controlled and calibrated to keep the cabin tranquil. It’s not the sedan that will pin you to your seat, but it’s certainly the one that will get you across a state line feeling calm and unruffled. Efficiency is another quiet win for the Lexus — impressive for a big flagship — adding to its long-term ownership appeal.
Mercedes, meanwhile, plays in a different league by offering variety. The S 500’s turbocharged inline-six with mild-hybrid assist already gives the car an eager, almost athletic feel, and stepping up to the S 580’s twin-turbo V8 brings the kind of power that makes a 4,500-pound sedan feel lighter than physics suggests.
Add the plug-in hybrid S 580e or the AMG variants, and suddenly the S-Class spans everything from serene executive cruiser to borderline performance sedan. What they all share is an effortlessly muscular feel — the kind of power that makes merging, overtaking, or long-distance hauling feel luxurious in its own right. If the Lexus is about serenity, the Mercedes is about flexibility: it adapts to whatever driving mood you wake up with.
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Interior Quality And Feel
Minimalist Zen Vs. Tech Theater
Walk into the LS, and you’ll notice Lexus’s signature restraint: tactile switchgear, layered materials, and a focus on craftsmanship. The cabin is plush, with features like heated/ventilated and massaging front seats, a high-end Mark Levinson audio system option, and active noise cancellation that keeps the world out.
The S-Class, by comparison, is aggressively futuristic: expansive displays, ambient lighting that can be customized to the mood, and ultra-premium finishes that scream “lounge.” Mercedes pushes the visual and digital envelope with the Hyperscreen, or large glass panels, augmented reality HUDs, and customizable passenger displays, all of which make the S feel like a luxury theater. If you prefer tactile calm and refined execution, the LS’s cabin will soothe you. But, if you want to be wowed and love screens, the S-Class is the place to be.
Rear-Seat Comfort And Chauffeured Life
This is where people who buy S-Classes for the backseat will nod approvingly: Mercedes offers reclining rear seats, optional executive packages with footrests, theater-grade screens, and a level of individualization that makes the rear cabin genuinely first-class. If you spend more time being driven than driving, the S-Class’s rear accommodations are hard to beat.
The Lexus LS is roomy, extremely comfortable, and offers rear-seat heating, ventilation, and massage functions (and in some special editions even more rear comforts). However, Lexus historically prioritizes a unified, quiet cabin experience rather than the overt “executive suite” trappings. These would be perfect for many owners, but they’re perhaps not as opulent as Mercedes’s top rear-seat packages.
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Technology And Driver Aids: Useful Vs. Showy (But Useful)
Both cars pack modern driver aids: adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, 360-degree cameras, and advanced parking systems. Lexus emphasizes reliability and straightforward usability. The infotainment and driver assist systems are polished but deliberately less flashy, keeping the learning curve low. Mercedes leans into advanced digital features: augmented reality navigation, more ambitious AI-type assistants, and highly configurable interior displays. For buyers who enjoy tech as part of the luxury experience, Mercedes’s systems can feel like a playground. But, for those who want tech that just works, Lexus scores points.
Ride Quality And NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness)
Both cars try to make the world outside your windows feel like an afterthought. Lexus tunes the LS for a plush, controlled ride with excellent noise isolation. Mercedes pairs sophisticated air suspension and active body control systems to deliver that “floating on air” sensation — and on the S-Class, the suspension tech is often a step ahead in smoothing both micro-bumps and big inputs. AMG variants or stiffer setups change the character, but in standard trims, the S tends to feel a hair more composed at speed, while the LS stays reassuringly serene.
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Ownership Value: Pricing, Reliability, And Running Costs
$99,280 Vs. $119,500
Pricing matters: the S-Class starts higher — Mercedes lists base S models north of $119,000 — while the LS sits in a slightly lower starting bracket. Starting at just over $99,000, MSRP for higher-trim LS variants often lands below direct S-Class territory, though well-equipped examples can overlap. That gap is meaningful for buyers weighing option lists and depreciation.
Lexus’s reputation for reliability and lower long-term servicing costs pushes it toward better predicted ownership value. Mercedes makes up ground with strong engineering, but historically, German luxury cars can cost more to maintain once the warranty expires, especially when advanced electronics or air suspension systems require attention. If long-term cost and fewer headaches matter, the LS usually has the edge.
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So, Which One Should You Pick?
Value Is Personal
“Value” isn’t a single number; it’s what makes sense to you. Lexus gives you quiet confidence, superb craftsmanship, and a gentler hit to your wallet over years of ownership. Mercedes gives you spectacle, technological bravado, and rear-seat indulgence that can feel unmatched. Both are excellent, and both deliver the core promise of a modern luxury sedan: peace, privacy, and performance. Choose the LS if you want consistent, understated luxury with solid long-term value. Choose the S-Class if you want to be dazzled and don’t mind paying more for the privilege.
- Pick the Lexus LS if you want a quietly luxurious cabin, proven reliability, simpler but effective tech, and slightly better long-term ownership economics.
- Pick the Mercedes-Benz S-Class if you want cutting-edge interior tech, the ultimate rear-seat pampering, and are willing to pay a premium for the theater-like experience.
Sources: J.D. Power, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus