Compare the2019 Lexus IS SeriesVS 2019 Mercedes CLA

The IS Series’ optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The CLA doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

To help make backing safer, the IS Series’ optional cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The CLA doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the IS Series and the CLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the IS Series the rating of “Top Pick” for 2018, a rating granted to only 85 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CLA has not been fully tested, yet.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the IS Series 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the CLA. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the CLA ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The IS Series’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CLA’s (6 vs. 5 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the IS Series’ reliability 37 points higher than the CLA.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 14th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 48 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in reliability. Mercedes is ranked 14th.

The IS 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 33 more horsepower (241 vs. 208) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. The IS 300 AWD’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 52 more horsepower (260 vs. 208) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. The IS 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 103 more horsepower (311 vs. 208) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

As tested in Road and Track the IS 350 is faster than the Mercedes CLA 250:

The IS Series has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the CLA (17.4 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus IS Series, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the CLA.

For better stopping power the IS Series’ brake rotors are larger than those on the CLA:

The IS Series’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CLA are solid, not vented.

The IS Series stops shorter than the CLA:

The IS Series’ optional 255/35R18 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CLA’s optional 40 series tires.

The IS Series has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the CLA; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the IS Series’ wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the CLA (110.2 inches vs. 106.3 inches).

The IS Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the CLA’s (61% to 39%). This gives the IS Series more stable handling and braking.

The IS 350 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CLA 250 (26 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 26.4 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the IS Series’ turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the CLA’s (34.2 feet vs. 36 feet). The IS Series AWD’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the CLA’s (35.4 feet vs. 36 feet).

The IS Series 300 RWD offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CLA doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the IS 350 F Sport is quieter than the CLA 250:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the IS Series a Compact car, while the CLA is rated a Subcompact.

The IS Series has 12.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CLA (90.2 vs. 78).

The IS Series has 4.6 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 5.1 inches more rear legroom and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the CLA.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the IS Series offers cargo security. The CLA’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The IS Series uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CLA uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the IS Series is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CLA. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in service department satisfaction. With a 3% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 6th.

The IS Series’ optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CLA doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The IS Series’ headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the CLA’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the IS Series detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The CLA doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the IS Series offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The CLA doesn’t offer cornering lights.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the IS Series to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CLA doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the IS Series keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in summer. The CLA doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the IS Series’ optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The CLA doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the IS Series is less expensive to operate than the CLA because it costs $513 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the IS Series than the CLA, including $169 less for a muffler and $226 less for a fuel pump.

The Lexus IS Series outsold the Mercedes CLA by 28% during 2017.