Luxury sedans have a way of making even a grocery run feel like an event, with hushed cabins, indulgent touches, and tech that quietly does its thing in the background. In 2025, two names still dominate that conversation: the Lexus LS and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
They take very different paths to get there. The LS is all about calm, comfort, and long-term peace of mind, while the S-Class leans hard into cutting-edge tech and wow-factor features.
If you’re trying to figure out which one actually makes more sense for your money, we’re putting the badges aside and digging into what it’s really like to live with each—inside, behind the wheel, and over time.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, as well as other authoritative sources, including J.D. Power and TopSpeed.
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Powertrain and performance: calm confidence or brute force?
Under the hood, the 2026 Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class couldn’t be more different. The LS keeps things simple with a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 putting out 416 horsepower and 442 pound-feet, paired with a smooth 10-speed automatic and optional all-wheel drive.
It’s all about effortless cruising rather than showy moves. Acceleration is silky and predictable, letting the LS glide without drama and keeping the cabin calm—even when you push it a bit. It won’t pin you to your seat, but it will get you across long distances feeling relaxed, with surprisingly good efficiency for a flagship sedan.
The Mercedes takes a different approach entirely. The S 500’s turbo inline-six with mild-hybrid tech feels lively, and stepping up to the S 580’s twin-turbo V8 gives this 4,500-pound sedan an athletic punch that almost tricks your senses into thinking it weighs less than it does.
Add the plug-in hybrid S 580e or the AMG variants, and the S-Class suddenly covers everything from serene executive cruiser to near-performance monster.
What ties them all together is that effortlessly muscular feel—the kind of power that makes merging, overtaking, or long road trips feel luxurious in its own way.
If the Lexus is all about calm and serenity, the Mercedes is about flexibility: it can match whatever driving mood you wake up with.
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Inside the cabin: luxury you can feel
Serene cabin or gadget-packed showstopper?
Step into the LS, and you immediately feel Lexus’s signature restraint. Tactile switches, layered materials, and attention to detail set the tone, while heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, optional Mark Levinson audio, and active noise cancellation make the cabin a calm, cozy retreat.
The S-Class takes a very different approach. Expansive screens, customizable ambient lighting, and ultra-premium finishes turn the cabin into a futuristic lounge, with the Hyperscreen, AR HUD, and passenger displays making it feel more like a luxury theater than a car.
If you’re after tactile calm and quiet refinement, the LS will soothe you. But if you love being wowed by tech and digital flair, the S-Class steals the show.
Backseat bliss: comfort for every passenger
If you’re the type who spends more time in the back than behind the wheel, the S-Class will impress. Reclining seats, optional executive packages with footrests, theater-grade screens, and a high level of customization make the rear cabin feel genuinely first-class.
The Lexus LS, meanwhile, is spacious, supremely comfortable, and offers rear-seat heating, ventilation, and massage—even more in some special editions. But Lexus favors a calm, unified cabin over flashy “executive suite” features, so while it’s relaxing, it doesn’t quite match Mercedes’s rear-seat opulence.
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Tech and driver aids: practical vs. wow factor
Both the LS and S-Class come loaded with modern driver aids like adaptive cruise, lane-keeping assist, 360-degree cameras, and advanced parking systems.
Lexus keeps things reliable and easy to use. Its infotainment and assist systems are polished but intentionally low-key, so you can get up to speed quickly without feeling overwhelmed.
Mercedes, on the other hand, leans into digital flair. Augmented reality navigation, smart AI helpers, and highly configurable displays make the cabin feel like a tech playground—but if you just want tech that works without fanfare, the LS takes the win.
Ride and refinement: smooth cruising vs. sporty polish
Both the LS and S-Class aim to make the world outside your windows feel distant. Lexus tunes the LS for a plush, controlled ride with excellent noise isolation, keeping the cabin calm and serene.
Mercedes uses advanced air suspension and active body control to create that “floating on air” feeling. On standard trims, the S-Class often feels a touch more composed at speed, while the LS sticks to its signature reassuring calm—though AMG or stiffer setups can change that character entirely.
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Ownership value: cost, reliability, and long-term peace of mind
Pricing is a big factor. The S-Class starts higher, with base models north of $119,000, while the LS begins just over $99,000. Well-equipped LS trims can creep into S-Class territory, but that initial gap is worth noting when weighing options and depreciation.
Lexus’s strong reliability and lower long-term servicing costs give it an edge in predicted ownership value. Mercedes holds its own with solid engineering, but German luxury cars historically cost more to maintain once the warranty expires—especially with advanced electronics or air suspension.
If you care about long-term costs and fewer headaches, the LS usually comes out ahead.
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Which one makes the most sense for you?
Value depends on what you care about
“Value” isn’t a single number—it’s what matters to you. The Lexus LS offers quiet confidence, impeccable craftsmanship, and a gentler hit to your wallet over years of ownership. The Mercedes S-Class, on the other hand, delivers spectacle, tech bravado, and rear-seat luxury that can feel unmatched.
Both excel at the core promise of a modern luxury sedan: peace, privacy, and performance. Choose the LS if you want consistent, understated luxury with strong long-term value. Go for the S-Class if you want to be dazzled and don’t mind paying more for it.
In short: pick the LS for a quietly luxurious cabin, proven reliability, simpler but effective tech, and better long-term ownership costs. Pick the S-Class for cutting-edge interior tech, ultimate rear-seat pampering, and a theater-like experience worth the premium.
