VS
At a Glance
Power
590 kW
368kW@5000
Torque
1430 Nm
800Nm@1800
Fuel
4.6 when hybrid battery charged / 11.8 w
—
Towing
—
2035
0-100 km/h
3.3 s
—
Engine
3982 cc
5513
Choosing between the Mercedes-AMG S-Class and the MERCEDES S-CLASS is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Mercedes-AMG S-Class delivers 590 kW while the MERCEDES S-CLASS produces 368kW@5000. On fuel, the S-Class returns 4.6 when hybrid battery charged / 11.8 when discharged l/100km while the S-CLASS uses 0 — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R4 609 291 for the S-Class and R3 800 000 for the S-CLASS. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
590 kW
368kW@5000
Torque
1430 Nm
800Nm@1800
0-100 kph
3.3 s
—
Top Speed
250 Km/h
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
3982 cc
5513
Engine Layout
V
LONGITUDINAL V 12
Cylinders
8
12
Fuel Type
petrol-electric hybrid
UNLEADED
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
—
Transmission
automatic
AUTOMATIC
Number of Gears
9
5
Drive Wheels
all
REAR
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✗
Low Range
—
✗
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
4.6 when hybrid battery charged / 11.8 w
—
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
76 l
88
CO2 Emissions
104-114 when hybrid battery charged / 26
—
Dimensions
Length
5336 mm
5163
Width
1954-2130 mm
1855
Height
1515 mm
1447
Wheelbase
3216 mm
3085
Ground Clearance
—
150
Kerb Weight
2520 DIN / 2595 EU Kg
2135
Doors
4
4
Seats
5 (opt 4)
5
Load Volume
305 l
—
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
2035
Load Capacity
550 l
500
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
—
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
7 (opt 9 / opt 11)
8
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
—
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
—
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
—
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
ALL
Electric Seat Adjustment
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
Optional
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
2
24
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
—
Service Plan
—
S
Service Intervals
service interval indicator
30000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Mercedes-AMG S-Class
2 / 4 categories
Performance
S-Class
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
S-CLASS
Practicality
S-Class
Pros & Cons
Mercedes-AMG S-Class
Well-rounded specification
Higher fuel consumption (4.6 when hybrid battery charged / 11.8 when discharged l/100km)
Higher starting price
MERCEDES S-CLASS
Lower starting price (R3 800 000)
Higher towing capacity (2035)
Few notable weaknesses
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the S-Class or S-CLASS?
The S-Class uses 4.6 when hybrid battery charged / 11.8 when discharged l/100km and the S-CLASS uses 0 on the combined cycle. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the S-Class or S-CLASS?
The S-Class produces 590 kW and 1430 Nm of torque while the S-CLASS delivers 368kW@5000 and 800Nm@1800 of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the S-Class and S-CLASS?
The S-Class starts from R4 609 291 and the S-CLASS from R3 800 000. The S-CLASS is cheaper by R809 291 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the S-Class or S-CLASS?
The S-Class has a braked towing capacity of 0 Kg and the S-CLASS can tow 2035. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the S-Class or the S-CLASS?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.