Bentley
Mulsanne
Mercedes-Benz
S-class
Bentley Mulsanne vs Mercedes-Benz S-class: 2023 Comparison
The short answer
Based on available data, the Mercedes-Benz S-class comes out ahead of the Bentley Mulsanne on fuel economy and power. Check the specs table and owner sentiment below for the full comparison before deciding between the two. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
Mulsanne
Overall
Sentiment is mixed to negative, with a strong consensus that the vehicle failed to meet expectations for its class and price. The model is frequently described as underwhelming, particularly in direct comparisons to key rivals like the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, with one specific media review cited as being "brutal" and highlighting the car as "truly awful" by comparison. Owner discussions reference significant depreciation, with one report of a new vehicle remaining unsold for two years and eventually selling for approximately 54% off its original MSRP (approx. $200,000 USD vs. $437,000 USD equivalent).
Best version to buy
Mulsanne Speed: Isolated feedback specifically highlights the "Mulsanne Speed" variant for its superior performance, suggesting it addresses some of the dynamic criticisms of the standard model. No detailed trim comparisons are available within the data.
Known issues
- ⚠Severe depreciation: New vehicle reported unsold for two years, selling for a massive loss. Frequency: isolated but highly specific.
- ⚠Prohibitively expensive and complex repairs: Parts are described as prohibitively expensive with lead times of weeks or months; specialized hydraulic brake and suspension system noted as particularly complex and reliant on obsolete compone…
- ⚠Poor reliability (per specific review): Cited in reference to a specific media review which "proved it quite unreliable." Frequency: isolated.
S-class
Overall
\nSentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the specific generation and model year. Long-term owners of the W222 generation (2014-2020) report high satisfaction with its comfort, luxury, and reliability, with one owner noting over 165,000 miles with only minor, warranty-covered repairs. However, a strong and recurrent criticism is directed at the design and technology direction of the latest W223 generation (2021+).
Best version to buy
\nInsufficient owner data available to declare a consensus "best" version. Feedback indicates a preference for well-equipped examples, as many used S-Classes are noted to be "base spec/not really well equipped." For the W222 generation, models newer than 2015 are suggested for better reliability regarding early turbo V8 issues.
Known issues
- ⚠\nWater intrusion leading to electrical faults (CAN bus failures): potential for no-start conditions and dead screens.
The verdict
The Mercedes-Benz S-class is the better choice for most buyers.
It has better fuel economy on its best-equipped version than the Bentley Mulsanne, based on the data above. If power matters more to you than running costs, the Bentley Mulsanne is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Bentley Mulsanne or the Mercedes-Benz S-class?
Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the Bentley Mulsanne and the Mercedes-Benz S-class. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Which is better for families, the Bentley Mulsanne or the Mercedes-Benz S-class?
The Bentley Mulsanne seats more passengers than the Mercedes-Benz S-class on its catalogued best-equipped version. Body type also differs: the Bentley Mulsanne is classed as a Sedan, the Mercedes-Benz S-class as a Sedan.
Which has better fuel economy, the Bentley Mulsanne or the Mercedes-Benz S-class?
The Mercedes-Benz S-class is more fuel-efficient on paper: 4.4 L/100km combined versus 14.6 L/100km for the Bentley Mulsanne, based on the best-equipped catalogued version of each.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Bentley Mulsanne or the Mercedes-Benz S-class?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but owner reports mention cost-related concerns more often for the Bentley Mulsanne than the Mercedes-Benz S-class. See the known issues comparison above.