2023 Toyota Crown vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained its fantastic design from the previous year, following a complete makeover that was widely praised. Despite the growing popularity of SUVs, the S-Class continued to make a strong case for the sedan with its sleek and elegant design. The long distance between the front axle and the dashboard added to its elegance, while the proud Mercedes-Benz grille and star hood ornament highlighted its prestigious lineage. Inside, the S-Class offered a luxurious cabin with high-quality materials, featuring a 12.8-inch touchscreen and a separate 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, providing a delightful and sophisticated driving experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Crown stood out with its elevated ride height, reminiscent of crossover vehicles like the old Honda Accord Crosstour. Its massive grille, angular wraparound headlights, and sporty aggression gave it a distinctive front end. The Crown's side profile was enhanced by large wheels and a black trim piece, while the rear featured a bold taillight strip. Inside, the Crown offered a modern cabin with a digital instrument panel and a large horizontal touchscreen. However, the mix of hard plastics and cushioned touchpoints gave it a less luxurious feel compared to the S-Class.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was designed for both serene commuting and pleasurable weekend driving. The S500 model featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid engine with EQ Boost, providing a total of 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. The S580 model offered a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine, also with EQ Boost, delivering even more power. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD. Despite their weight, the S-Class models were quick, with the S500 reaching 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and the S580 in 4.4 seconds. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with the S500 rated at 11.4 L/100 km city and 8.0 highway, while the S580 consumed 14.3 L/100 km city and 9.5 highway.

The 2023 Toyota Crown offered two hybrid powertrains. The base model combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a hybrid electric motor, producing 236 horsepower. The Platinum trim featured the Hybrid Max powertrain, with a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine and a more powerful rear electric motor, generating 340 horsepower. The base hybrid used a CVT, while the Hybrid Max had a six-speed automatic transmission. The Crown's ride quality was comfortable, but its elevated ride height and weight limited sporty cornering. The Hybrid Max accelerated to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, while the base hybrid took 7.8 seconds. The Crown's cabin remained quiet, but some electronic driver aids were intrusive.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class excelled as an executive sedan, offering a spacious and luxurious cabin. Second-row passengers enjoyed powered sun blinds and a Panorama Sunroof, while the 510-litre trunk provided ample storage. The cabin featured six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply. Front seats were equipped with rapid-heating active multicontour seats, and options included ventilated seats, heated armrests, and massaging rear seats. The Executive Rear Seating package added luxury features for the chauffeured set. However, the wide-opening doors could be challenging to close, though soft-close doors mitigated this issue.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's interior varied by trim, with the base XLE offering fabric seats and SofTex faux-leather trim, while the Platinum trim featured full leather. The front seats were comfortable for long trips, but firm cushioning could cause discomfort over time. The Crown provided adequate storage with large cupholders, door pockets, and a centre console armrest bin. The rear seats offered ample legroom and headroom, though the tapering roofline limited headroom. The trunk had a capacity of 360 litres, smaller than some competitors, but still useful for most needs.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen for the MBUX infotainment system, offering superior image quality and energy efficiency. The 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel provided customizable themes, and an optional 3D instrument cluster added depth. Augmented video for navigation and an available augmented reality HUD enhanced the driving experience. The Burmester 3D Surround sound system delivered high-fidelity audio, with an optional 4D system for an immersive experience. The S-Class also featured EQ Boost and rear-axle steering for improved performance and maneuverability.

The 2023 Toyota Crown came standard with a 12.3-inch multimedia infotainment touchscreen, offering sharp graphics and quick responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, along with a wireless charging pad. The base audio system was adequate, but an 11-speaker JBL premium system was available. The infotainment system supported OTA updates and featured a voice-recognition system. A digital key allowed smartphone access, and a Wi-Fi hotspot with remote monitoring was available.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was loaded with safety features, including Magic Vision Control for optimal windshield cleaning. Driver assistance features included adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, active brake assist, and active lane-keeping assist. Pre-Safe systems prepared the vehicle for imminent collisions, and car-to-x communication shared road condition warnings. Rear-passenger airbags and seat belt bags were available for added safety.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's safety features included collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a blind-spot monitor. The Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite offered additional driver assistance technologies. The Platinum trim added a semi-automated parallel parking system. Some Proactive Driving Assist features were intrusive, but many could be disabled.