The facelifted 2026 Mercedes S-Class (from ₹2.20 crore) now packs a plug-in hybrid and a clear power advantage, but the BMW 7 Series (₹1.85 crore) undercuts it by a serious margin and is the roomier car on the outside. If you want the most tech and the plush rear-seat experience, it’s the Merc; if value and presence matter more, the BMW makes a strong case.
Price
The 2026 S-Class spans ₹2.20–2.38 crore (ex-showroom) after its June 2026 facelift, while the BMW 7 Series is ₹1.85 crore for both petrol and diesel. That’s a ₹35 lakh-plus gap before options — a real consideration even at this rarefied end.
Powertrain: PHEV vs mild hybrid
The big change is under the S-Class’s skin: a 3.0-litre turbo straight-six paired with a rear-mounted electric motor and a 22 kWh battery, for 435 hp and 680 Nm and meaningful electric-only running. The 7 Series counters with turbo-petrol and diesel options plus a 48V mild-hybrid assist. The S-Class holds a 54 hp edge over the petrol 7 Series and 149 hp over the diesel, with more torque too.
Size and space
The BMW is the bigger car on paper — 87 mm longer, 29 mm wider and 41 mm taller — yet the two are almost identical in wheelbase (S-Class 3,216 mm, just 1 mm more). So rear legroom is closely matched; the difference is in how each brand stages the experience.
Specs at a glance
| Mercedes S-Class | BMW 7 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (ex-showroom) | ₹2.20–2.38 crore | ₹1.85 crore |
| Electrification | Plug-in hybrid (22 kWh) | 48V mild hybrid |
| Peak output | 435 hp / 680 Nm | Petrol/diesel options |
| Wheelbase | 3,216 mm | 3,215 mm |
Rear-seat luxury and tech
The S-Class leans into chauffeur-driven indulgence: executive rear seats reclining up to 43.5 degrees, the MBUX Superscreen with a 14.4-inch OLED, augmented-reality head-up display, Burmester 4D audio, four-zone climate, adaptive air suspension and rear-wheel steering. The 7 Series answers with its theatrical 31-inch rear Theatre Screen and Sky Lounge roof — so the pick depends on which flavour of opulence you prefer.
Which should you buy?
Choose the S-Class for the most advanced powertrain, the plushest rear seat and the badge that still defines this class. Choose the 7 Series to save over ₹35 lakh, get a bigger footprint and the most cinematic rear-seat screen. Neither disappoints — this is a preference call, not a value one.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2026 Mercedes S-Class a hybrid?
Yes. The facelifted S-Class gets a plug-in hybrid for the first time — a 3.0L straight-six with an electric motor and a 22 kWh battery, making 435 hp and 680 Nm.
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Which is cheaper, the S-Class or 7 Series?
The BMW 7 Series, at ₹1.85 crore, undercuts the S-Class (₹2.20–2.38 crore) by over ₹35 lakh ex-showroom.
Which has more rear-seat space?
They’re closely matched — the 7 Series is larger overall, but wheelbase (and so rear legroom) is virtually identical, with the S-Class just 1 mm longer between the axles.
Source & original images: Autocar India →
