Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs Porsche Panamera
Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the limo choice here: RM738,888 buys a longer 5,289 mm body, 3,216 mm wheelbase, 14 airbags, 28.6 kWh battery and 100 km EV range, with claimed fuel use of 1.0 L/100 km. The Porsche Panamera costs RM1,300,000, but answers with all-wheel drive, a 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time, 272 km/h top speed, 494-litre boot and 90-litre tank. For a Malaysian buyer, the RM561,112 gap is not buying a huge performance jump; it buys the Porsche’s GT flavour and practicality.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz S-Class if you want the lower price, longer wheelbase, petrol-hybrid running and 100 km EV range.
Pick the Porsche Panamera if you want all-wheel drive, the larger boot and the higher 272 km/h top speed.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz S-Class RM738,888; Porsche Panamera RM1,300,000
- Power and torque: Mercedes-Benz S-Class 362 hp/500 Nm; Porsche Panamera 348 hp/500 Nm
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: Mercedes-Benz S-Class 5.2 s/250 km/h; Porsche Panamera 5.1 s/272 km/h
- Drivetrain: Mercedes-Benz S-Class rear-wheel drive; Porsche Panamera all-wheel drive
- Size: Mercedes-Benz S-Class 5,289 mm long with 3,216 mm wheelbase; Porsche Panamera 5,052 mm long with 2,950 mm wheelbase
- Boot and tank: Mercedes-Benz S-Class 350 L/67 L; Porsche Panamera 494 L/90 L
S-Class
- Much lower purchase price
- 100 km EV range and 1.0 L/100 km claim
- Longer wheelbase and 14 airbags
- Smaller 350-litre boot
- Lower 250 km/h top speed
- Rear-wheel drive only
Panamera
- Quicker 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- All-wheel drive with wet dual-clutch automatic
- Larger 494-litre boot and 90-litre tank
- Costs RM561,112 more
- No EV range or fuel economy figure listed
- Eight airbags versus 14 in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 738,888✓ | RM 1,300,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Grand Tourer |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Engine | 2,999 cc | 2,894 cc |
| Power | 362 hp✓ | 348 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm | 500 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 5.2 s | 5.1 s✓ |
| Top speed | 250 km/h | 272 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 1.0 L/100km | — |
| Battery | 28.6 kWh | — |
| EV range | 100 km | — |
| CO₂ | 22 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,289 mm | 5,052 mm |
| Width | 1,954 mm | 1,937 mm |
| Height | 1,503 mm | 1,423 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,216 mm | 2,950 mm |
| Boot space | 350 L | 494 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 67 L | 90 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 14✓ | 8 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 4 | 4 |
| Road tax / year | RM 2,128 | RM 1,865✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
S-Class vs Panamera FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or Porsche Panamera better?
For most chauffeur-style luxury buyers, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the better fit: it is far cheaper, longer in wheelbase and has 100 km of EV range. The Porsche Panamera is better if you prioritise AWD, boot space and higher speed.
What is the price difference?
The Porsche Panamera costs RM1,300,000, while the Mercedes-Benz S-Class costs RM738,888. That makes the Porsche RM561,112 more expensive.
Which is faster, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or Porsche Panamera?
The Porsche Panamera is slightly faster: 0-100 km/h takes 5.1 seconds versus 5.2 seconds in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and its top speed is 272 km/h versus 250 km/h.