VS
At a Glance
Power
400 kW
450 kW
Torque
745 Nm
900 Nm
Fuel
18.4-19.6 kWh/100km l/100km
14.0 l/100km
Towing
2000 Kg
—
0-100 km/h
4.7 s
4.5 s
Engine
electric cc
5980 cc
Choosing between the BMW i7 and the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BMW i7 delivers 400 kW while the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class produces 450 kW. On fuel, the i7 returns 18.4-19.6 kWh/100km l/100km while the S-Class uses 14.0 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R3 028 000 for the i7 and R5 208 169 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
450 kW
Torque
745 Nm
900 Nm
0-100 kph
4.7 s
4.5 s
Top Speed
240 Km/h
250 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
5980 cc
Engine Layout
—
V
Cylinders
—
12
Fuel Type
electric
petrol
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
9
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
18.4-19.6 kWh/100km l/100km
14.0 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
20.7 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
10.2 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
102 kWh l
76 l
CO2 Emissions
—
321 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5391 mm
5469 mm
Width
1950-2192 mm
1921-2109 mm
Height
1544 mm
1510 mm
Wheelbase
3215 mm
3396 mm
Ground Clearance
136 mm
—
Kerb Weight
2640 DIN / 2715 EU Kg
2330 Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
5 (opt 4)
4
Load Volume
500 l
470 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
2000 Kg
—
Load Capacity
610 l
560 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
11
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
Optional
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
2 vehicle / 8 battery
2
Warranty Distance
unlimited vehicle / 100000 battery Km
unlimited Km
Service Intervals
service interval indicator
service interval indicator (max 20000)
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
BMW i7
2 / 4 categories
Performance
S-Class
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
i7
Practicality
i7
Pros & Cons
BMW i7
Lower starting price (R3 028 000)
Less power than rival (400 kW vs 450 kW)
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class
More powerful engine (450 kW)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (4.5 ss)
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 14.0 l/100km 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 450 kW and 900 Nm of torque. The S-Class is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the i7 and S-Class?
The i7 starts from R3 028 000 and the S-Class from R5 208 169. The i7 is cheaper by R2 180 169 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 not specified. 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.