BMW 5 Series Saloon vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class Saloon

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

5 Series Saloon compared with S-Class Saloon
BMW5 Series SaloonMercedes-BenzS-Class Saloon
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2023December 2020
Performance
PowertrainMild hybrid, Plug-in hybridMild hybrid, Plug-in hybrid
Power205–483 bhp308–577 bhp (better)
0–62 mph4.3–7.5 s (better)4.4–5.7 s
Top speed143–155 mph155 mph
Engine or motors520i: 1,998 cc four-cylinder turbo petrol with 48 V mild hybrid, 153 kW (208 hp); 530e: 1,998 cc four-cylinder plus electric motor, 220 kW (299 hp) system output; 550e xDrive: 2,998 cc six-cylinder plus electric motor, 360 kW (489 hp); bhp converted from BMW's kW figuresS 350 d: 2,989 cc six-cylinder diesel, 230 kW (313 hp) plus 17 kW mild-hybrid motor; S 500: 2,998 cc six-cylinder petrol, 330 kW (449 hp) plus 17 kW; S 450 e: 240 kW petrol six plus 120 kW electric motor, 320 kW (435 hp) system; S 580 e: 330 kW petrol six plus 120 kW motor, 430 kW (585 hp) system; bhp converted from Mercedes' kW figures
Torque330 Nm (520i), 450 Nm (530e), 700 Nm (550e xDrive)650 Nm (S 350 d), 600 Nm (S 500), 680 Nm system (S 450 e), 750 Nm system (S 580 e)
Gearbox8-speed automatic9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic
DriveRear-wheel drive (520i, 530e) or all-wheel drive (550e xDrive)All-wheel drive (4MATIC); rear-wheel drive (S 450 e L)
Range and charging
Zero-emission range (WLTP)57–64 miles60–67 miles (better)
Battery19–19.4 kWh21.96 kWh (better)
Fastest charging–60 kW
Economy (WLTP)48.7–470.8 mpg (better)33.7–117.8 mpg
Range detailWLTP electric range 59–64 miles (530e) and 53–57 miles (550e xDrive), depending on trimWLTP electric range 67 miles (S 450 e L) or 60 miles (S 580 e 4MATIC L); equivalent all-electric range 68 or 62 miles
ChargingBattery capacity 19.4 kWh (530e) or 19 kWh (550e) as BMW UK lists it; 11 kW AC, 0–100% in 2 hours 15 minutesPlug-in hybrids: 21.96 kWh usable battery; 11 kW AC (0–100% in 2.25 hours); DC up to 60 kW (10–80% in 20 minutes)
EfficiencyWLTP combined: 45.6–48.7 mpg (520i), 353.1–470.8 mpg (530e), 282.5–353.1 mpg (550e xDrive), Great Britain figures; BMW's same table also contains older lower plug-in hybrid figuresWLTP combined: 44.2 mpg (S 350 d), 33.7 mpg (S 500), 117.8 mpg and 17 kWh/100 km (S 450 e), 97.5 mpg and 17.5 kWh/100 km (S 580 e)
CO2 emissions131–141 g/km (520i), 14–17 g/km (530e), 18–22 g/km (550e xDrive), WLTP combined168 g/km (S 350 d), 191 g/km (S 500), 55 g/km (S 450 e) and 65 g/km (S 580 e) weighted
Practicality
BodySaloonSaloon
Seats55
Boot520 litres (better)515 litres
Length5,060 mm5,304 mm
Width1,900 mm1,921 mm
Weight–From 2,244 kg
Boot520 litres515 litres (S 350 d), 535 litres (S 500), 350 litres (plug-in hybrids)
TowingUp to 2,000 kg braked (520i, 550e xDrive), 1,800 kg (530e)2,100 kg braked, 750 kg unbraked (not listed for the plug-in hybrids)
Size5,060 mm long, 1,900 mm wide (2,156 mm with mirrors), 1,515 mm high; 2,995 mm wheelbase; EC unladen weight including a 75 kg driver is 1,800 kg (520i), 2,080 kg (530e), 2,230 kg (550e xDrive)5,304 mm long (long wheelbase), 1,921 mm wide without mirrors (2,123 mm with), 1,503 mm high; 11.7–11.9 m turning circle; kerb weight 2,244 kg (S 500) to 2,571 kg (S 580 e); 76-litre fuel tank (67 litres plug-in hybrids)
Tech and safety
Infotainment–MBUX with generative-AI MBUX Virtual Assistant

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