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Mercedes S-Class vs Audi A8 comparison

Compare performance (635 HP vs 571 HP), boot space and price (104,000 £ vs 91,400 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes S-Class or Audi A8?

Mercedes S-Class vs Audi A8: Key differences

Mercedes S-Class

  • somewhat more power
  • substantially more efficient
  • significantly more electric range
details

Audi A8

5 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • a bit cheaper
  • only slightly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • barely lighter
details

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

S-Class

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

Audi A8 is a bit cheaper – starting at 91,400 £ , while the Mercedes S-Class costs 104,000 £ . That’s a price difference of around 12,648 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mercedes S-Class uses 2.2 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the Audi A8 with 4.6 L/100km. The difference is about 2.4 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Mercedes S-Class offers significantly more range – reaching up to 118 km, about 60 km more than the Audi A8.

A8

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes S-Class offers somewhat more power – delivering 635 HP compared to 571 HP. That’s roughly 64 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Audi A8 is only slightly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.8 s, while the Mercedes S-Class takes 4 s. That’s about 0.2 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes S-Class delivers only slightly more torque with 850 Nm compared to 800 Nm. That’s about 50 Nm more.

S-Class

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Audi A8 is barely lighter – 2,035 kg compared to 2,165 kg. The difference is around 130 kg.

When it comes to payload, the Audi A8 carries barely more – 700 kg compared to 660 kg. That’s a difference of about 40 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes S-Class is clearly superior overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £104,000
S-Class

Mercedes S-Class

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel MHEV
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 336 - 635 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 2.2 - 11 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 98 - 118 km
details

Frequently compared as well

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Mercedes S-Class
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Mercedes S-Class
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Mercedes S-Class
Audi A8

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Mercedes S-Class

The Mercedes S-Class wraps peerless comfort, whisper-quiet luxury and subtle tech wizardry into a chauffeur-ready package that still knows how to engage the driver. It’s the car for buyers who want to arrive relaxed, be taken seriously and occasionally enjoy a grin when the road reminds them this limousine can dance.

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Reviews Mercedes S-Class

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

Audi A8

The Audi A8 arrives with the kind of quiet authority that makes other limousines feel like they’re trying too hard, offering a cabin wrapped in subtle luxury and tech that never demands attention. For buyers who want composed comfort and discreet status, it’s the sensible splurge that turns daily commutes into a private parade.

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Reviews Audi A8

5 (1 Reviews)
rate

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

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Mercedes S-Class
Audi A8

Costs and Consumption
Price
104,000 - 201,400 £
Price
91,400 - 134,900 £
Consumption L/100km
2.2 - 11 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.6 - 11.5 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
98 - 118 km
Electric Range
58 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
50 - 252 g/km
co2
105 - 260 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
Sedan
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
2,165 - 2,650 kg
Curb weight
2,035 - 2,415 kg
Trunk capacity
-
Trunk capacity
390 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,921 mm
Width
1,945 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
420 - 660 kg
Payload
525 - 700 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
336 - 635 HP
Power HP
286 - 571 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4 - 5.7 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.8 - 5.9 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
560 - 850 Nm
Torque
500 - 800 Nm
Number of Cylinders
6 - 8
Number of Cylinders
6 - 8
Power kW
247 - 467 kW
Power kW
210 - 420 kW
Engine capacity
2,989 - 3,982 cm3
Engine capacity
2,967 - 3,996 cm3

General
Model Year
2026
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, B, F
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, C
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Audi
Is the Mercedes S-Class offered with different drivetrains?

The Mercedes S-Class is offered with All-Wheel Drive or Rear-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.