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Mercedes S-Class vs Kia K4 comparison

Compare performance (635 HP vs 180 HP), boot space and price (104,000 £ vs 24,800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes S-Class or Kia K4?

Mercedes S-Class vs Kia K4: Key differences

Mercedes S-Class

  • significantly more power
  • clearly more efficient
  • substantially quicker 0–100 km/h
details

Kia K4

4.4 (6 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • clearly lighter
  • somewhat more trunk space
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

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

S-Class

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

Kia K4 is clearly cheaper – starting at 24,800 £ , while the Mercedes S-Class costs 104,000 £ . That’s a price difference of around 79,257 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mercedes S-Class uses 2.2 L/100km and is clearly more efficient than the Kia K4 with 5.8 L/100km. The difference is about 3.6 L/100km.

K4

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes S-Class offers significantly more power – delivering 635 HP compared to 180 HP. That’s roughly 455 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes S-Class is substantially quicker – completing the sprint in 4 s, while the Kia K4 takes 8.4 s. That’s about 4.4 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes S-Class delivers clearly more torque with 850 Nm compared to 265 Nm. That’s about 585 Nm more.

S-Class

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Kia K4 is clearly lighter – 1,415 kg compared to 2,165 kg. The difference is around 750 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Kia K4 offers somewhat more boot space – 604 L compared to 530 L. That’s a difference of about 74 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes S-Class carries markedly more – 660 kg compared to 455 kg. That’s a difference of about 205 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
Kia K4

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.

Kia K4

Kia K4 shakes up the compact-sedan crowd with concept-car looks, a smartly packaged cabin, and the kind of easygoing refinement that makes rush hour feel less like a chore. It blends value, tech, and a dash of attitude, serving up a smooth, confident drive that might have you taking the long way home just to show off those angles.

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Reviews Kia K4

4.4 (6 Reviews)
rate
Joz
20 May 2026, 08:04:45

A modern, ultra-easy-to-use car with a full set of systems and assistants that work as they should, but with a sluggish gearbox and poor noise insulation.

Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Joz
20 May 2026, 08:04:45

A modern, ultra-easy-to-use car with a full set of systems and assistants that work as they should, but with a sluggish gearbox and poor soundproofing.

Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Joz
20 May 2026, 08:04:44

A modern, ultra-easy-to-use car with a full set of systems and assistants that work as they should, but with a sluggish gearbox and poor noise insulation.

Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Joz
20 May 2026, 08:04:44

A modern, ultra-easy-to-use car with a full set of systems and assistants that work as they should, but with a sluggish gearbox and poor sound insulation.

Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Joz
20 May 2026, 08:04:44

A modern, ultra-easy-to-use car with a full set of systems and assistants that work as they should, but hampered by a sluggish gearbox and poor soundproofing.

Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

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Mercedes S-Class
Kia K4

Costs and Consumption
Price
104,000 - 201,400 £
Price
24,800 - 34,200 £
Consumption L/100km
2.2 - 11 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
5.8 - 7.1 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
98 - 118 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
50 - 252 g/km
co2
132 - 161 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
Hatchback, Estate
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
2,165 - 2,650 kg
Curb weight
1,415 - 1,540 kg
Trunk capacity
345 - 530 L
Trunk capacity
328 - 604 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,921 mm
Width
1,850 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
420 - 660 kg
Payload
435 - 455 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
336 - 635 HP
Power HP
115 - 180 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4 - 5.7 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.4 - 12.3 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
560 - 850 Nm
Torque
200 - 265 Nm
Number of Cylinders
6 - 8
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Power kW
247 - 467 kW
Power kW
85 - 132 kW
Engine capacity
2,989 - 3,982 cm3
Engine capacity
998 - 1,598 cm3

General
Model Year
2026
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, B, F
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Kia
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.