2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, having been around since its current generation launched in 2019, aimed to shake off Toyota's reputation for blandness with its bold exterior design. It featured scowling LED headlights and a wide grille, though it didn't quite match the eccentricity of the Hyundai Elantra or the cohesiveness of the Honda Civic. The Corolla offered different styling elements across its trim levels, with the SE and XSE models sporting an aggressive front fascia, while the Nightshade Editions added blacked-out trim. The Apex Editions came with a subtle body kit and bronze accents, along with model-specific 18-inch wheels that reduced weight. The SE Apex Edition, in particular, stood out with its "Fast and Furious" impression, showcasing Toyota's effort to make the Corolla more than just basic transportation. The interior, while less imaginative, maintained Toyota's high standards of fit and finish, though the piano black plastic trim was prone to dust and smudges. The SE Apex Edition's interior mirrored that of the standard SE, with light gray upholstery that seemed susceptible to stains.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, in its seventh generation since 2021, continued to exude calm sophistication with its clean lines and sculpted front end. The S 580e plug-in hybrid model, with its optional high-gloss black trim and 20-inch AMG wheels, added a touch of sportiness to the otherwise stately design. Inside, the S-Class offered a luxurious experience with eight different colors of leather upholstery and five trim materials. Our tester featured Sienna Brown and Black leather, complemented by a panoramic sunroof and superb fit and finish. The headrests were exceptionally soft, enhancing passenger comfort. The S-Class interior was a haven of luxury, with features like massaging seats, ambient lighting, and the Energizing Comfort wellness program, which combined lighting, massage, audio, fragrance, and climate controls to create a unique experience.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered two engine options, with the L, LE, and XLE models featuring a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. The SE and XSE models, including the Apex Edition, were equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The Apex Edition's sport exhaust system and model-specific suspension, including unique coil springs and solid stabilizer bars, enhanced its handling, making it more nimble than other Corolla models. However, the Apex Edition didn't receive any tire, brake, or engine upgrades, and its acceleration was modest. The manual transmission was a good fit for the SE Apex Edition, providing a more engaging driving experience, though the ride quality was noticeably stiffer.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 580e combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 28.6-kWh battery and an electric motor, offering 56 miles of all-electric range. The plug-in hybrid powertrain delivered 510 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission. The S 580e accelerated from 0 to 62 mph in about 4.4 seconds, matching the performance of the S 580 with its twin-turbo V8. The S-Class excelled in comfort, with its buttery soft air suspension and rear-wheel steering, providing a smooth and agile ride. The hybrid mode seamlessly transitioned between electric and gas power, while the nine-speed automatic transmission offered seamless gear shifts. Drivers could adjust brake regeneration and opt for a one-pedal driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's interior felt decently roomy, though Toyota didn't release specific headroom and legroom measurements. The low beltline improved outward visibility, but the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard hindered forward visibility. The driver's seat was positioned for optimal comfort, though long-legged drivers might find knee space lacking. The Corolla offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which was less than competitors like the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. The interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin center console and shallow cupholders.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with standard features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and power sunshades. The ambient lighting offered 64 colors, creating a luxurious atmosphere. The Energizing Comfort wellness program combined various features to enhance the driving experience. The S-Class provided ample storage with small cubbies and a spacious center armrest, though the trunk space was limited to 8.1 cubic feet. The standard S-Class offered 12.9 cubic feet, while the Porsche Panamera plug-in hybrid provided over 14 cubic feet with its hatchback design.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system was starting to show its age, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the base model and an 8-inch touchscreen on other trims. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The interface was user-friendly, but some tasks were less intuitive compared to competitors. The graphics appeared dated, and wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not available. The Corolla lacked novel tech features like the Hyundai Elantra's Digital Key.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen center display with the latest MBUX infotainment system. The system offered a variety of games and a natural-language AI assistant that responded to voice commands. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, along with a native navigation system with augmented reality. The system's stoplight view, which activated the forward-facing camera, was a unique but somewhat unnecessary feature. The S-Class also offered wireless charging and USB-C ports, along with a standard Burmester sound system.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla received the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests, though its headlights received lower ratings. The NHTSA awarded the Corolla a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. The Corolla came with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on certain trims.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with an extensive array of advanced driver-assist systems, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. The hands-on highway driver-assist system used adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology, allowing for automated lane changes. Crosswind Assist and Speed Limit Assist were additional features that enhanced safety. The S-Class had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.