Porsche vs. Mercedes: A Luxury Car Comparison
There is no denying that Porsche and Mercedes make some of the best luxury vehicles to ever grace the asphalt. They set the standard for many luxury car brands and offer motorists far more than just status and name association. When comparing Porsche vs. Mercedes across their entire brand offerings, how do they stack up?
Unmatched performance, precision machinery, world-class interiors, variety, and immortal designs are some of the words people have come to associate with Mercedes and Porsche over their history of manufacturing cars.
Any car from either manufacturer is guaranteed to deliver an unforgettable experience, but which brand gives you the best bang for your buck?
That’s what we intend to find out. Keep reading to learn more.
Porsche vs. Mercedes: Prestige
While a lot of Benz or Porsche owners might argue that they bought their car for the performance, they cannot deny the allure of their prestige. Comparing Porsche vs. Mercedes in terms of their prestige, does one stand above the other?
Mercedes has a long documented history of excellence in automobile and engine manufacturing. Carl Benz, one of the founders of Daimler Benz (what would later go on to be called Mercedes Benz), invented the first automobile.
His patented Benz Motorwagen utilized a petrol-powered combustion engine that paved the way for the modern motor engines we have today. It’s the first among the many innovations the company introduced throughout the years.
Mercedes’s slogan, “The Best or Nothing,” perfectly conveys the state of its modern motor offerings. All their cars and engine parts across their multiple classes and subsidiaries are manufactured and assembled to meet strict standards and deliver world-class performance, ride, handling, and comfort. People buy Mercedes cars because they are reliable.
Porsche appeals to a different kind of crowd—sports car lovers. While Porsche cars are designed to tear up the track, they also have the trappings of modern luxury cars. The lineup includes dedicated sedans and SUVs.
Porsches are more famous for their performance and design. The Porsche Cayenne and Panamera, for example, are some of the manufacturer’s most famous offerings that deliver world-class performance, ride, feedback, and luxury.
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Porsche vs. Mercedes: Ride quality
When comparing Porsche vs. Mercedes in terms of their cars’ ride quality, there’s a big difference. On the higher tier, Mercedes is famous for its air suspension system and ride quality on their flagship S series.
The plush seats, premium active actuators, and tires leave car owners gliding over bumps. A report done by Consumer Reports in 2018 placed the S-class as the smoothest riding car in a lineup of 78 luxury sedans.
Porsche vehicles also have excellent ride quality, but they come nowhere close to the Mercedes. The (PASM) Porsche Active Suspension Management doesn’t quite compare to Mercedes’ Airmatic Air suspension, and there’s evidence to prove it.
A Redditor did a seismometer test with a Mercedes C300 Coupe and Carrera 911 and found that the Mercedes delivered a significantly better ride.
While these numbers reflect performance across their full lineup, they certainly set a precedent. Mercedes, being the champion of development and innovations, typically focuses more on comfort and reliability, while Porsche is more of a sports car brand.
Porsche vs. Mercedes: Vehicle Lineup
Luxury sedans and sportscars might be what both car manufacturers are the most popular for, but their offerings extend far beyond that. Both cater to the SUV, Coupe, and EV markets to a certain extent. When comparing Porsche vs. Mercedes in terms of its lineup variety, Mercedes completely dominates Porsche in numbers per category.
Having in mind Mercedes Benz, AMG, and Daimler AG, there are 12 model ranges that ship with the proud Mercedes logo. Their variety includes hatchbacks, SUVs, luxury sedans, supercars, Maybachs, trucks, and even vans—all made to meet world-class manufacturing standards. According to Statista, Mercedes sold about 2.5 million vehicles in 2020 alone.
Porsche is far sportier and limited. The 718 lineup is their lowest offering, followed by the eternal 911 model line. The Panamera is their flagship luxury line. The Taycan is a new model line dedicated to EVs, while the Macan and Cayenne are their SUV lines.
Mercedes has the better lineup based on sheer volume and offers more flexibility. There are at least a dozen options in each model lineup and a multitude of tweaks and upgrades for each car. Porsche cars, as few as they might be, catch up with engine, body, and physical upgrades.
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Porsche vs. Mercedes: Pricing
The pricing on both luxury car lines reflects their vehicle offerings. Mercedes makes everyday passenger cars and adds coupes, roadsters, and convertibles. In their SUV and C class model line, you will find plenty of great options for under $40,000. Porsches start a lot higher. On their official website, their most affordable 2022 718 Cayman line starts at $62,000.
Both companies share similar pricing for their luxury sedans, but when comparing Porsche vs. Mercedes, Porsche starts out cheaper. For example, the 2021 Porsche Taycan starts at $82,000, while the S-class Sedan starts at $111,100. When specced out with four-wheel drive, hybrid engines, and interior upgrades, both can reach as high as $190,000.
When it comes to supercars and hypercars, though, Mercedes AMG leaves Porsche in the dust. The Mercedes AMG GT series is priced at over $200,000, and the 2022 AMG One starts at around $2,700,000.
Porsche vs. Mercedes: Maintenance and Repair
After purchase prices, repair and maintenance are the biggest draws for car-owners. Oil repairs, routine maintenance checks, and random issues can significantly add up over time on luxury cars.
When comparing Porsche vs. Mercedes maintenance casts, maintaining a Porsche, on average, costs significantly less than maintaining a Mercedes on the higher luxury tiers, but there are some caveats. Upon purchase of your new Porsche in the United States or Canada, you get basic 4-year maintenance for changing your:
- Oil
- Air filter
- Brake fluid
- Oil Filter
The maintenance covers 40,000 miles if your car is new and 2 years if it’s not. If you live in an area without access to verified service shops or your plan expires, the maintenance cost balloons significantly.
On average, expect to pay somewhere between $1000 and over $9,000 for maintenance alone by your fifth year of ownership. Repair costs can range anywhere between $2000 to $3000.
According to Edmund’s famous TruePriceToOwn tool, maintaining a 2019 Porsche 911 should cost you about $238-$1000 in your first year with no repairs and $16,500 to maintain, and $6000 to repair by your fifth. Note that these values are drawn from averages and might not reflect your experience.
Mercedes are considerably less generous with their warranty/maintenance plans. New owners can opt for the prepaid maintenance plan that saves them up to 30% off yearly maintenance costs. Mercedes’s prepaid maintenance can cover up to 10 years of maintenance.
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The prices, of course, vary between various models and release years, but on average, expect to pay just under $1000 for maintenance. They also provide a new Vehicle Extended Warranty that covers maintenance and repair for your engine, transmission, electrical systems, climate control, and more.
Off prepaid maintenance, Mercedes-Benz of Henderson estimates that series A and B will cost car owners at least $250 each. Oil changes cost $164 to $184, and Tire rotations cost $99 to $125.
True Price to Own from Edmunds projects that 2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan 2.0L owners are likely to pay just over $7000 for five years of maintenance.
As for repairs, the prices can differ drastically based on the model and what part of the world you are in. Generally, the engine mount, air suspension, transmission, and AC are the most common repairs Benz owners deal with, and it costs a pretty penny to buy OEM parts.
Both German brands have their advantages, but if you’re buying in the same luxury sedan class, Porsche offers you a better deal. They start out cheap and are less prone to develop faults. In comparison, Mercedes offers no basic maintenance.
Porsche vs. Mercedes: The Bottom Line
Both Mercedes and Porsche make exceptional cars. Their phenomenal ride quality, performance, handling, and design make their luxury cars well-worth the exorbitant ask price.
However, if you had to choose a single luxury car brand, we would say pick a Porsche. Their cars start much lower and are cheaper to maintain.
If cost is no object, we recommend purchasing the luxury car that gels best with your personality.
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