Car comparison

Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500vsMercedes-Benz S-class (W222) S 400 V6

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 ccGasolineAWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedSedan2005-2009
VS

Mercedes-Benz S-class (W222)

S 400 V6

333 hp2996 ccGasolineAWDAutomaticTwin-turboSedan2015-2017

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
  • Most powerful
    388 hp
    289 kW
  • Highest torque
    530 Nm
    391 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    201 hp/t
    150 kW/t
    5.0 kg/hp
  • Largest trunk
    560 L
  • Best overall score
    74/100
  • Best performance score
    72/100
  • Best practicality score
    78/100

Mercedes-Benz S-class (W222) S 400 V6

  • Lightest
    1,920 kg
    4,233 lb
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    8.9 L/100 km
    26.4 mpg US
    31.7 mpg UK
  • Lowest city consumption
    11.9 L/100 km
    19.8 mpg US
    23.7 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.2 L/100 km
    32.7 mpg US
    39.2 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    787 km
    489 mi
  • Best economy score
    83/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelMercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500Mercedes-BenzS-class (W222)S 400 V6
Power
388hp289kW
333hp248kW
Torque
530Nm391lb-ft
480Nm354lb-ft
Curb weight
1,935kg4,266lb
1,920kg4,233lb
Gross weight
2,620kg5,776lb
2,665kg5,875lb
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
53.2s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
63.0s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.4s
6.1s
0-200 km/h
16.1s
Calculated
18.6s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.2s
Calculated
5.8s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
12.3L/100 km19.1mpg US23.0mpg UK
8.9L/100 km26.4mpg US31.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
18.2L/100 km12.9mpg US15.5mpg UK
11.9L/100 km19.8mpg US23.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
9L/100 km26.1mpg US31.4mpg UK
7.2L/100 km32.7mpg US39.2mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.3s
Calculated
14.0s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
201hp/t150kW/t91hp/1000 lb
Calculated
173hp/t129kW/t79hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
274Nm/t183lb-ft/ton
Calculated
250Nm/t167lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
732km455mi
Calculated
787km489mi
Calculated
Displacement
5,461cc333cu in
2,996cc183cu in
Length
5,079mm200in
5,116mm201in
Width
1,872mm74in
1,899mm75in
Height
1,473mm58in
1,496mm59in
Wheelbase
3,035mm119in
3,035mm119in
Front track
1,604mm63in
1,624mm64in
Rear track
1,606mm63in
1,637mm64in
Trunk volume
560L
530L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
4
Fuel tank
90L
70L
CO2 emissions
294g/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 (W222) S 400 V6PowerTorque
  • Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500: Power / Torque
  • Mercedes-Benz S-class (W222) S 400 V6: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 5006,000 rpm2,800-4,800 rpm6,250 rpm
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W222)S 400 V65,250-6,000 rpm1,600-4,000 rpm6,250 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricMercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500Mercedes-BenzS-class (W222)S 400 V6
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.2 s
5.8 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.4 s
6.1 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
16.1 s
18.6 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
2.6 s
330 ft
101 m
6.1 s
6.4 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.9 s
9.4 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.3 s
11.9 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.3 s
14.0 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
182 km/h
113 mph
174 km/h
108 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 (W222)S 400 V6
333 hp
248 kW

Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500 has 55 hp more than Mercedes-Benz S-class (W222) S 400 V6.

The biggest power difference is between Mercedes-Benz S-class (W222) S 400 V6 and Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500: 55 hp (41 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 (W222)S 400 V6
480 Nm
354 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
1,935 kg
4,266 lb
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W222)S 400 V6
1,920 kg
4,233 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 (W222)S 400 V6
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 (W222)S 400 V66.1 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500 and Mercedes-Benz S-class (W222) S 400 V6: 0.7 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
12.3 L/100 km
19.1 mpg US
23.0 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W222)S 400 V6
8.9 L/100 km
26.4 mpg US
31.7 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between Mercedes-Benz S-class (W222) S 400 V6 and Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500: 3.4 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
201 hp/t
150 kW/t
5.0 kg/hp
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W222)S 400 V6
173 hp/t
129 kW/t
5.8 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
732 km
455 mi
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W222)S 400 V6
787 km
489 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 (W222)S 400 V6
333 hp
248 kW
6.1 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 (W222)S 400 V6
Power
333 hp
248 kW
0-100 km/h6.1 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
4 seats
Trunk
530 L
18.7 cu ft
Length
5,116 mm
201.4 in
Height
1,496 mm
58.9 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
12.3 L/100 km
19.1 mpg US
23.0 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W222)S 400 V6
Power
333 hp
248 kW
0-100 km/h6.1 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
8.9 L/100 km
26.4 mpg US
31.7 mpg UK

Mercedes-Benz S-class (W222) S 400 V6 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
12.3 L/100 km
19.1 mpg US
23.0 mpg UK
5.4 s
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W222)S 400 V6
8.9 L/100 km
26.4 mpg US
31.7 mpg UK
6.1 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
201 hp/t
150 kW/t
5.0 kg/hp
12.3 L/100 km
19.1 mpg US
23.0 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W222)S 400 V6
173 hp/t
129 kW/t
5.8 kg/hp
8.9 L/100 km
26.4 mpg US
31.7 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleMercedes-BenzS-class (W221)S 500Mercedes-BenzS-class (W222)S 400 V6
Power
388 hp
289 kW
333 hp
248 kW
Torque
530 Nm
391 lb-ft
480 Nm
354 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.4 s
6.1 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,935 kg
4,266 lb
1,920 kg
4,233 lb
Fuel consumption
12.3 L/100 km
19.1 mpg US
23.0 mpg UK
8.9 L/100 km
26.4 mpg US
31.7 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
4 seats
Trunk
530 L
18.7 cu ft
Length
5,116 mm
201.4 in
Height
1,496 mm
58.9 in
Range score
732 km
455 mi
787 km
489 mi
CO2 score
294 g/km
-
Trunk score
560 L
19.8 cu ft
530 L
18.7 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
201 hp/t
150 kW/t
5.0 kg/hp
173 hp/t
129 kW/t
5.8 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 (W222) S 400 V6
Consumption12.3 L/100 km19.1 mpg US23 mpg UK8.9 L/100 km26.4 mpg US31.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km21.53 LC100 km15.58 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi34.64 LC100 mi25.07 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,845 L487 US gal406 UK gal1,335 L353 US gal294 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,229 LC/year2,336 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500

  • Has 55 hp more
  • Has 50 Nm more
  • Is 0.7 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 27 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 30 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Heaviest

Mercedes-Benz S-class (W222) S 400 V6

  • Is 15 kg lighter
  • Uses 3.4 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 55 km (34 mi) more estimated range

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best estimated range

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

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Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Mercedes-Benz S-class (W221) S 500
Mercedes-Benz S-class (W222) S 400 V6
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