VS
At a Glance
Power
400 kW
225kW@5600
Torque
745 Nm
460Nm@2700
Fuel
18.4-19.6 kWh/100km l/100km
—
Towing
2000 Kg
1875
0-100 km/h
4.7 s
—
Engine
electric cc
4966
Choosing between the BMW i7 and the MERCEDES S-CLASS is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BMW i7 delivers 400 kW while the MERCEDES S-CLASS produces 225kW@5600. On fuel, the i7 returns 18.4-19.6 kWh/100km l/100km while the S-CLASS uses 0 — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R3 028 000 for the i7 and R3 600 000 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
400 kW
225kW@5600
Torque
745 Nm
460Nm@2700
0-100 kph
4.7 s
—
Top Speed
240 Km/h
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
4966
Engine Layout
—
LONGITUDINAL V 8
Cylinders
—
8
Fuel Type
electric
UNLEADED
Transmission
automatic
AUTOMATIC
Number of Gears
—
7
Drive Wheels
all
REAR
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✗
Low Range
—
✗
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
18.4-19.6 kWh/100km l/100km
—
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
102 kWh l
88
CO2 Emissions
—
—
Dimensions
Length
5391 mm
5163
Width
1950-2192 mm
1855
Height
1544 mm
1444
Wheelbase
3215 mm
3085
Ground Clearance
136 mm
150
Kerb Weight
2640 DIN / 2715 EU Kg
1895
Doors
4
4
Seats
5 (opt 4)
5
Load Volume
500 l
—
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
2000 Kg
1875
Load Capacity
610 l
500
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
—
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
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 vehicle / 8 battery
24
Warranty Distance
unlimited vehicle / 100000 battery Km
—
Service Plan
—
S
Service Intervals
service interval indicator
30000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
BMW i7
3 / 4 categories
Performance
i7
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
i7
Practicality
i7
Pros & Cons
BMW i7
Lower starting price (R3 028 000)
Higher towing capacity (2000 Kg)
Few notable weaknesses
MERCEDES S-CLASS
Well-rounded specification
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the i7 or S-CLASS?
The i7 uses 18.4-19.6 kWh/100km 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 i7 or S-CLASS?
The i7 produces 400 kW and 745 Nm of torque while the S-CLASS delivers 225kW@5600 and 460Nm@2700 of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the i7 and S-CLASS?
The i7 starts from R3 028 000 and the S-CLASS from R3 600 000. The i7 is cheaper by R572 000 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the i7 or S-CLASS?
The i7 has a braked towing capacity of 2000 Kg and the S-CLASS can tow 1875. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the i7 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.