Car comparison

Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500vsMercedes-Benz S-class (W140) · Facelift 1994 S 600 V12

Compare specs, acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, practicality, and estimated running costs side by side.

New comparison

Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221)

S 500

388 hp5461 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedSedan2005-2009
VS

Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) · Facelift 1994

S 600 V12

394 hp5987 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedSedan1995-1998

Comparison overview

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Best choices

Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.4 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Lightest
    1,865 kg
    4,112 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    208 hp/t
    155 kW/t
    4.8 kg/hp
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    11.9 L/100 km
    19.8 mpg US
    23.7 mpg UK
  • Lowest city consumption
    17.6 L/100 km
    13.4 mpg US
    16.1 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    8.7 L/100 km
    27.0 mpg US
    32.5 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    756 km
    470 mi
  • Largest trunk
    560 L
  • Best overall score
    75/100
  • Best performance score
    73/100
  • Best economy score
    75/100
  • Best practicality score
    78/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelMercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
Power
388hp289kW
394hp294kW
Torque
530Nm391lb-ft
570Nm420lb-ft
Curb weight
1,865kg4,112lb
2,180kg4,806lb
Gross weight
2,545kg5,611lb
2,710kg5,975lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
52.3s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
68.4s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.4s
6.6s
0-200 km/h
16.0s
Calculated
20.2s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.2s
Calculated
6.3s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.9L/100 km19.8mpg US23.7mpg UK
16.9L/100 km13.9mpg US16.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
17.6L/100 km13.4mpg US16.1mpg UK
24.5L/100 km9.6mpg US11.5mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8.7L/100 km27mpg US32.5mpg UK
12.5L/100 km18.8mpg US22.6mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.3s
Calculated
14.5s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
208hp/t155kW/t94hp/1000 lb
Calculated
181hp/t135kW/t82hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
284Nm/t190lb-ft/ton
Calculated
261Nm/t175lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
756km470mi
Calculated
592km368mi
Calculated
Displacement
5,461cc333cu in
5,987cc365cu in
Length
5,079mm200in
5,113mm201in
Width
1,872mm74in
1,886mm74in
Height
1,473mm58in
1,486mm59in
Wheelbase
3,035mm119in
3,040mm120in
Front track
1,604mm63in
1,606mm63in
Rear track
1,606mm63in
1,579mm62in
Trunk volume
560L
525L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
90L
100L
CO2 emissions
283g/km
-

Performance charts

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Dyno simulation

Estimated stock-style power and torque curves by engine speed.

Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) Facelift 1994 S 600 V12PowerTorque
  • Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500: Power / Torque
  • Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) Facelift 1994 S 600 V12: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 5006,000 rpm2,800 rpm6,250 rpm
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V125,200 rpm3,800 rpm5,450 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricMercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.2 s
6.3 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.4 s
6.6 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
16.0 s
20.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.5 s
2.7 s
330 ft
101 m
6.1 s
6.6 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.9 s
9.7 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.3 s
12.3 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.3 s
14.5 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
183 km/h
114 mph
169 km/h
105 mph

Power comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power. Higher is better · hp / kW

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500
388 hp
289 kW
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
394 hp
294 kW

Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) Facelift 1994 S 600 V12 has 6 hp more than Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500.

The biggest power difference is between Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500 and Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) Facelift 1994 S 600 V12: 6 hp (4 kW).

Torque comparison

Bar comparison chart for Torque. Higher is better · Nm / lb-ft

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500
530 Nm
391 lb-ft
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
570 Nm
420 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500
1,865 kg
4,112 lb
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
2,180 kg
4,806 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 5005.4 s
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V126.6 s

Although Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) Facelift 1994 S 600 V12 has more power, Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500 is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500 and Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) Facelift 1994 S 600 V12: 1.2 s.

Fuel consumption comparison

Bar comparison chart for Fuel consumption. Lower is better · L/100 km / mpg US / mpg UK

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500
11.9 L/100 km
19.8 mpg US
23.7 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
16.9 L/100 km
13.9 mpg US
16.7 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500 and Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) Facelift 1994 S 600 V12: 5.0 L/100 km.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500
208 hp/t
155 kW/t
4.8 kg/hp
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
181 hp/t
135 kW/t
5.5 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

Bar comparison chart for Estimated range. Higher is better · km / mi

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500
756 km
470 mi
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
592 km
368 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500
388 hp
289 kW
5.4 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
394 hp
294 kW
6.6 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph

Most attractive quadrant

Scatter chart with performance score on the X axis and practicality score on the Y axis.

Chart data table
VehiclePerformance scorePracticality score
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500
Power
388 hp
289 kW
0-100 km/h5.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
560 L
19.8 cu ft
Length
5,079 mm
200.0 in
Height
1,473 mm
58.0 in
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
Power
394 hp
294 kW
0-100 km/h6.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
525 L
18.5 cu ft
Length
5,113 mm
201.3 in
Height
1,486 mm
58.5 in

Performance vs fuel economy

Cars closer to the top-right corner combine stronger performance with better fuel economy scores.

Performance vs fuel economy data table
VehiclePerformance scoreFuel economy score
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500
Power
388 hp
289 kW
0-100 km/h5.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
11.9 L/100 km
19.8 mpg US
23.7 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
Power
394 hp
294 kW
0-100 km/h6.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
16.9 L/100 km
13.9 mpg US
16.7 mpg UK

Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500 is closest to the top-right balance target for performance and fuel economy.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption

Cars closer to the lower-left corner offer a better mix of quick acceleration and low fuel consumption.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption data table
VehicleFuel consumption, L/100 km0-100 km/h, s
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500
11.9 L/100 km
19.8 mpg US
23.7 mpg UK
5.4 s
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
16.9 L/100 km
13.9 mpg US
16.7 mpg UK
6.6 s

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption

The shaded area favors higher power-to-weight with lower combined fuel consumption.

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption data table
VehiclePower-to-weight, hp/tFuel consumption, L/100 km
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500
208 hp/t
155 kW/t
4.8 kg/hp
11.9 L/100 km
19.8 mpg US
23.7 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
181 hp/t
135 kW/t
5.5 kg/hp
16.9 L/100 km
13.9 mpg US
16.7 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleMercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
Power
388 hp
289 kW
394 hp
294 kW
Torque
530 Nm
391 lb-ft
570 Nm
420 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.4 s
6.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,865 kg
4,112 lb
2,180 kg
4,806 lb
Fuel consumption
11.9 L/100 km
19.8 mpg US
23.7 mpg UK
16.9 L/100 km
13.9 mpg US
16.7 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
560 L
19.8 cu ft
Length
5,079 mm
200.0 in
Height
1,473 mm
58.0 in
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
525 L
18.5 cu ft
Length
5,113 mm
201.3 in
Height
1,486 mm
58.5 in
Range score
756 km
470 mi
592 km
368 mi
CO2 score
283 g/km
-
Trunk score
560 L
19.8 cu ft
525 L
18.5 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
208 hp/t
155 kW/t
4.8 kg/hp
181 hp/t
135 kW/t
5.5 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Fuel cost and annual usage

Estimate running costs from combined consumption, your annual distance, and the fuel price in your local currency.

Enter the fuel price in your local currency, for example €/L, $/gal, £/L or any other local currency.

LC = Local Currency

Fuel cost and annual usage
VehicleMercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) Facelift 1994 S 600 V12
Consumption11.9 L/100 km19.8 mpg US23.7 mpg UK16.9 L/100 km13.9 mpg US16.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km20.83 LC100 km29.57 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi33.51 LC100 mi47.60 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,785 L472 US gal393 UK gal2,535 L670 US gal558 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,124 LC/year4,436 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500

  • Is 315 kg lighter
  • Is 1.2 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Uses 5.0 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 27 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 165 km (102 mi) more estimated range
  • Has 35 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Lightest
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Best estimated range
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Lowest power

Choose cars to compare

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Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500
Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) S 600 V12
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