BMW 7 Series vs Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class: we're still completing price, length, width, height and wheelbase, plus 7 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$279,900RRP
- no option data for this car
No price
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the BMW 7 Series & Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
BMW 7 Series
- REC-006556 · published 6 Mar 2026The air conditioning (A/C) wiring harness may become damaged during routine microfilter (cabin air filter) replacement.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- REC-006539 · published 17 Feb 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2023
- 7 more on the model page.
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
- REC-006122 · published 18 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, the electrical connector in the transmission wiring harness may allow moisture to enter resulting in a short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2022
- REC-006020 · published 5 Jul 2024Due to a software issue with the airbag control unit, the pedestrian detection sensor may not function as intended.Year range on the notice: 2021
- REC-005758 · published 22 Aug 2023Due to a software issue, the visual and acoustic warning system may not alert the driver if other vehicles and/or traffic are approaching when exiting the vehicle.Year range on the notice: 2022
- 11 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW 7 Series stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The BMW 7 Series uses a Petrol producing 280kW and 540Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.4 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class responds with a Diesel making 150kW and 500Nm, paired to a 7g-tronic plus 7-speed automatic driving the rear wheels.
The BMW 7 Series has the clear power advantage at 280kW vs 150kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.5m diameter
Large
Based on 12.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Large
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.8 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,252/year for the BMW 7 Series and $1,539/year for the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. That is a $713 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW 7 Series if: You prioritise performance, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
BMW 7 Series: Top CarSorted Score, 65 vs 64
The BMW 7 Series comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (65 vs 64), taking 1 of 2 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: performance (BMW 7 Series ahead by 35), practicality (BMW 7 Series ahead by 25), fuel economy (Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class ahead by 22). The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will save you roughly $713 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
The BMW 7 Series is the cheapest at $279,900 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class uses the least fuel at 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW 7 Series has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW 7 Series makes the most power at 280kW.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
