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Mercedes S Class vs Subaru Outback comparison

Compare performance (635 HP vs 169 HP), boot space and price (104,000 £ vs 40,000 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes S Class or Subaru Outback?

Mercedes S Class vs Subaru Outback: Key differences

Mercedes S Class

  • considerably more power
  • considerably more efficient
  • considerably quicker 0–100 km/h
details

Subaru Outback

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • considerably cheaper
  • clearly lighter
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By Achim Sedelmaier

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

S Class

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

Subaru Outback is considerably cheaper – starting at 40,000 £ , while the Mercedes S Class costs 104,000 £ . That’s a price difference of around 63,999 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mercedes S Class uses 2.2 L/100km and is considerably more efficient than the Subaru Outback with 8.6 L/100km. The difference is about 6.4 L/100km.

Outback

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes S Class offers considerably more power – delivering 635 HP compared to 169 HP. That’s roughly 466 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes S Class is considerably quicker – completing the sprint in 4 s, while the Subaru Outback takes 10.2 s. That’s about 6.2 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes S Class delivers clearly more torque with 850 Nm compared to 252 Nm. That’s about 598 Nm more.

S Class

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Subaru Outback is clearly lighter – 1,643 kg compared to 2,165 kg. The difference is around 522 kg.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes S Class carries somewhat more – 660 kg compared to 557 kg. That’s a difference of about 103 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes S Class is decisively ahead 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
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Mercedes S Class
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Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
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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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21C0428_004
21C0613_021
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21C0613_042
21C0613_043

Reviews Mercedes S Class

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Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback is the do-it-all wagon for buyers who want SUV capability without the SUV bulk, blending rugged confidence with everyday civility. It's practical, dependable, and built to shrug off rough gravel tracks or rainy commutes with a grin — ideal for buyers who actually use their vehicles, not just park them for show.

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csm_Outback_2.5i_Platinum_Modelljahr_2021_108__742a1b80db

Reviews Subaru Outback

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate

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

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Mercedes S Class
Subaru Outback

Costs and Consumption
Price
104,000 - 201,400 £
Price
40,000 - 44,400 £
Consumption L/100km
2.2 - 11 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
8.6 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
193 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
Estate
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
2,165 - 2,650 kg
Curb weight
1,643 - 1,676 kg
Trunk capacity
-
Trunk capacity
561 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,921 mm
Width
1,875 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
420 - 660 kg
Payload
524 - 557 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
CVT
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
336 - 635 HP
Power HP
169 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4 - 5.7 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
10.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
560 - 850 Nm
Torque
252 Nm
Number of Cylinders
6 - 8
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
247 - 467 kW
Power kW
124 kW
Engine capacity
2,989 - 3,982 cm3
Engine capacity
2,498 cm3

General
Model Year
2026
Model Year
2024
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, B, F
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Subaru
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.