S-Class still commands a premium over its BMW rival
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the 2027 S-Class in January. While not an all-new model, the changes to the design and interior are substantial. It’s also received new engines, so the company is determined to retain the crown in the full-size luxury sedan segment. The 2027 configurator for the S-Class has gone live, giving us a first look at pricing and options. The good news is that base pricing for the S-Class has been cut, but it’s still more expensive than the BMW 7 Series. So, which one is a better buy?
2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Pricing
Mercedes-Benz
Buyers interested in the new S-Class will be pleased to see that it starts at $6,950 less than the equivalent 2026 model. Here’s a comparison of pricing between the 2027 and 2026 models.
|
Model |
2026 Price |
2027 Price |
% Change |
|
S500 |
$119,500 |
$112,550 |
-5.8% |
|
S580 |
$130,700 |
$134,600 |
+3% |
The base S500 is 5.8% less expensive for 2027, while the more powerful S580 is now 3% pricier. There’s also a S580e hybrid, but pricing for this model hasn’t been shared yet.Â
The S500 has a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrain with 442 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. It’s got more torque than the 2026 S500, while the 0-60 mph time is just 4.3 seconds. The S550 has a new 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft. This model produces 530 hp and 553 lb-ft, over 30 hp more than the old one. It can get to 60 in only 3.9 seconds. Considering the modest price hike for this model, it seems worth the upgrade.
As with the 2026 model, the 2027 S-Class is available with a massive options list. One of the priciest upgrades is the Pinnacle Trim, which costs $10,700 on the S500. It adds items like four-zone climate control, heated/ventilated rear seats, heated rear armrests, and rear dual MBUX remote controls. You can add a rear entertainment system for $3,000, an Extended Leather and Trim Package for $6,050, and the sporty AMG Line styling package for $4,300.
Considering the more potent engines, bolder styling, and completely new dashboard layout, pricing for the 2027 S-Class isn’t as steep as expected, but it’s still not as affordable as its main rival.
Related: BMW’s Most Underrated 7 Series Forced Mercedes to Rethink the S-Class
2027 Mercedes S-Class Vs. 2027 BMW 7 Series Pricing
BMW
Like Mercedes-Benz with the S-Class, BMW also handed the 7 Series a major update for the 2027 model year. Besides a dramatic stylistic makeover, the BMW also received a new dashboard layout that mirrors what we’ve seen in Neue Klasse BMWs like the iX3 and i3. Here’s a look at the BMW’s pricing:
- 740: $99,800
- 740 xDrive: $102,800
Pricing for the 750e plug-in hybrid and an expected V8 performance model are unknown at this stage, so for now we can only compare the 740i to the equivalent S500. As you can see, the BMW starts at $12,750 less, but that’s for the rear-wheel-drive 740. Mercedes doesn’t sell a RWD S500, as all have AWD. Even comparing AWD variants, the BMW is still cheaper by $9,750.
The BMW 740 has a 3.0-liter turbo inline-six engine making 394 hp. That’s significantly less than the updated S500, so it’s no surprise that the Mercedes is quicker. In terms of features, you can add the $12,200 Premiere Package to the BMW and still come in at slightly below the base S500’s price. This package adds automatic doors, crystal headlights, front massaging seats, a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround-sound system, and ventilated front seats, among other items. However, the S500 already has some of these options equipped as standard, such as the ventilated/massaging front seats.
What Car Is The Better Buy?
BMW and Mercedes-Benz
The Mercedes somewhat justifies its higher base price with its more powerful engine and standard AWD. On paper, it handily outperforms the BMW, but the 740 is hardly slow, so it’s questionable whether luxury buyers will care about a few tenths’ difference in their acceleration times. When we’ve driven both 2027 models, we’ll be able to make a final call, but you can drive off in the 7 Series for less, even after adding a range of premium features. In that sense, it’s the better buy.
However, the S-Class and 7 Series have such distinct brand identities that fans of each brand are unlikely to consider the alternative. Both cars are still two of the finest luxury sedans in the world.
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