Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs Audi TT
What's the difference?

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

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2021 price

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Audi TT

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2024 price

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Aston Martin Vanquish

Lamborghini Aventador

Maserati Quattroporte

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C43

Mercedes-Benz C63

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E53

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Summary

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

2024 Audi TT

By Byron Mathioudakis

By Laura Berry

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Twin Turbo V6, 3.0L

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

8.4L/100km (combined)

7.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

S-Class' return to splendour
Stunning high-tech cabin presentation
Outstanding ride and handling capabilities

Fun and easy to drive
Unique looks
Some great Final Edition features

Dislikes

Price of entry prohibitive for most
3D instrumentation can make you woozy
A tad conservative in design

Low on safety tech
No central media screen
The last one!

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Summary

It's only in the running for the title of world's best luxury car. No biggie here, then.

Like Rolex and Concorde, S-Class has become a byword for ultimate, and deserved or not, the Mercedes-Benz defines its segment despite the best efforts of the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, Lexus LS and (sadly now-defunct) Jaguar XJ, as well as pointing the way forward with new technologies that eventually trickle down to more proletarian models.

Replacing the half-million selling W222 unveiled in 2013, the W223 is the latest in a long line since the first W187 Ponton debuted in 1951, and includes the famous ‘Finnies' and Stroke-8 models that followed immediately afterwards, but it is the 1972 W116 that really set the template.

Now, seven generations in, the 2021 S-Class is all-new again, with progressive safety and interior features that should help keep it Australia's bestselling full-sized upper-luxury sedan.

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2024 Audi TT Summary

Do you remember when you first saw an Audi TT? I can go first. It was 1998 and I’d been backpacking through Europe for months and had arrived in Paris just as all my money had run out.

Anyway, as I was beating myself up for spending way too much on a fridge magnet in a souvenir shop (it had a built-in thermometer) when one drove past me.

I saw the Audi badge but before I could work out what it was it turned the corner and was gone.

The mysterious Audi was silver and it looked like it was from the future, but actually it was the original TT, the first one, and being about October ‘98 it would have only just come out.

I would never have believed you if you’d told me at the time that 25 years later I’d be a motoring journalist and that I’d be reviewing the final Audi TT ever.

And here we are with the Audi TT Final Edition. That’s right, Audi has decided to discontinue this sports car after 25 years of production and it’s made this commemorative TT Final Edition that adds unique fettling and some nice features.

So, is the TT Final Edition worth buying? What’s so good about it? And how much more does it cost over a regular TT?

I found out after spending a weekend on some great roads to say goodbye to this icon. Oh, and I still have the fridge magnet.

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2024 Audi TT

Verdict

Mercedes-Benz set out to restore the S-Class' place amongst the greatest sedans in the world.

In the heavily-optioned, near-$250K-plus S450 as well as the extended S450L at $300K as tested (the sweet spot of the range for now), we reckon the Germans have succeeded, pushing safety, comfort and technology boundaries, in a package that is true to the heritage of the series.

Tax-fuelled sky-high prices will certainly keep the S-Class niche in Australia, but the car is more than good enough to dominate its tiny corner of the upper-large luxury car sphere.

The best new car in the world? We reckon it's highly likely. Mission accomplished, Mercedes.

Verdict

Audi is finally saying hooroo to this model which has made the world stop and stare like I did on that Parisian street all those years ago.

The Final Edition is a fitting tribute to this iconic sports car and I’m glad Audi didn’t go ‘OTT’ and deck it out with gimmicky features.

At the same time the Final Edition’s big rear wing, blacked out badges, wheels and interior colour coding hint that this is not just any ordinary TT and those that know will know.

Farewell Audi TT, we hope something just like you but probably electric appears to stop us in our tracks again.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs Audi TT What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs Audi TT
What's the difference?