Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs. Tesla Model S
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Tesla Model S contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Tesla Model S.
When we compare the Mercedes-Benz S-Class's and the Tesla Model S's specifications and ratings, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has the advantage in the area of resale value. The Tesla Model S has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume and base engine power. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Tesla Model S have the same overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class's and the Tesla Model S's specifications and ratings, the Tesla Model S is a better car than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class loses 59.5 percent of its value and the Tesla Model S loses 65.1 percent of its value. This means the Mercedes-Benz S-Class retains 5.6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Tesla Model S.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Tesla Model S is 7.5 out of 10. This results in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class being ranked 6 out of 17 Best Luxury Large Cars and the Tesla Model S being ranked 1 out of 30 Best Electric Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is 7.7 out of 10. For the Tesla Model S the reliability rating is 8.2 out of 10. This gives the Tesla Model S a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class’s base engine makes 496 horsepower, and the Tesla Model S base engine makes 670 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Tesla Model S, a electric large car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front leg room and cargo space. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class, a large car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
131973 - 154585
Starting MSRP:
130700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Large Cars)
117080
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
92700 - 132700
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
94990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
108197
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
94990 - 123900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
7.2 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Tesla Model S Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
6.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
12.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Large Cars)
10.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
9.1 - 12.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.018
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Tesla Model S
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
16.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.191
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
3 out of / 17Ranking
4 out of / 17Ranking
5 out of / 11Ranking
6 out of / 17Ranking
7 out of / 11Ranking
10 out of / 17Tesla Model S Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 30Ranking
1 out of / 30Ranking
1 out of / 30Ranking
1 out of / 22Ranking
1 out of / 22Ranking
1 out of / 22Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 22Ranking
3 out of / 22Ranking
4 out of / 30Ranking
6 out of / 22Ranking
7 out of / 22Ranking
8 out of / 22Ranking
9 out of / 22Ranking
10 out of / 30Ranking
10 out of / 21Ranking
13 out of / 30Ranking
13 out of / 30Ranking
14 out of / 30Ranking
16 out of / 27Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Trim Levels
Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4MATIC, S 500 4MATIC, S 580 4MATIC
Tesla Model S Trim Levels
Base, Plaid
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years / 150000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
496 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
516 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.103 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
670 hp
Torque:
723 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.147 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
4 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
8
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
MPGe:
Not applicable
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Battery Size/Capacity :
Not applicable
Maximum Charging Rate:
Not applicable
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
Not Applicable
Engine Configuration:
Not Applicable
Number of Cylinders:
Not Applicable
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not applicable
MPGe:
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
402 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Battery Size/Capacity:
100 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
14 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Backup camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Backup camera:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
42.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
43.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
59 inches
Cargo Space:
12.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
112.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
28.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
120.3 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4795 lbs
Width:
83 inches
Height:
59.2 inches
Length:
209.5 inches
Wheelbase:
126.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4560 lbs
Width:
86.2 inches
Height:
56.3 inches
Length:
197.7 inches
Wheelbase:
116.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/45R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 9.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/45R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Diamond Black
Blue
Frost Blue Metallic
Gray
Stealth Gray
Red
Ultra Red
Silver
Lunar Silver
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Cream
Black
Black
White
Black and White
