Compare the2021 Lexus ES SeriesVS 2021 Mercedes C-Class Sedan

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The ES Series has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The ES Series offers optional Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The ES Series’ standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the C-Class Sedan.

Both the ES Series and the C-Class Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lexus ES Series is safer than the Mercedes C-Class Sedan:

	ES Series	C-Class Sedan
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	120	138
Neck Injury Risk	24%	24%
Neck Compression	30 lbs.	62 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	33%	60%
Neck Compression	62 lbs.	219 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus ES Series is safer than the Mercedes C-Class Sedan:

	ES Series	C-Class Sedan
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1 inches
Hip Force	264 lbs.	452 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	300	459
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	67 G’s
Hip Force	541 lbs.	949 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	570 lbs.	769 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the ES Series its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 52 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The C-Class Sedan is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2021.

Warranty

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

The ES Series’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the C-Class Sedan’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 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 12th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 43 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 41 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in reliability. Mercedes is ranked 20th.

Engine

The ES 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 47 more horsepower (302 vs. 255) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the ES 300h CVT gets better fuel mileage than the C-Class Sedan RWD (43 city/44 hwy vs. 23 city/35 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the ES Series Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lexus ES Series uses regular unleaded gasoline. The C-Class Sedan requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Transmission

The ES 300h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a CVT.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the ES Series’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C-Class Sedan (235/45R18 vs. 225/40R19).

The ES 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 C-Class Sedan; 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. Some tire options on the C-Class Sedan don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

Suspension and Handling

The ES Series offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The C-Class Sedan’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES Series’ wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the C-Class Sedan (113 inches vs. 111.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the ES Series is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the C-Class Sedan.

Chassis

The ES Series F Sport uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the ES Series a Mid-size car, while the C-Class Sedan is rated a Compact.

The ES Series has 9.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-Class Sedan (99.9 vs. 90).

The ES Series has .4 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom and 4 inches more rear legroom than the C-Class Sedan.

The front step up height for the ES Series is 1.7 inches lower than the C-Class Sedan (14.8” vs. 16.5”). The ES Series’ rear step up height is 1.8 inches lower than the C-Class Sedan’s (15” vs. 16.8”).

Cargo Capacity

The ES Series has a much larger trunk than the C-Class Sedan (13.9 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 11% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked fifth.

Ergonomics

A power rear sunshade is optional in the ES Series and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES Series Ultra Luxury to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the ES Series owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the ES Series with a number “1” insurance rate while the C-Class Sedan is rated higher at a number “3” rate.

The ES Series will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the ES Series will retain 45.88% to 46.4% of its original price after five years, while the C-Class Sedan only retains 41.77% to 42.27%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the ES Series is less expensive to operate than the C-Class Sedan because it costs $427 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the ES Series than the C-Class Sedan, including $275 less for a water pump, $441 less for a muffler, $4 less for front brake pads, $3 less for a starter and $394 less for a fuel pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus ES Series will be $2729 to $6600 less than for the Mercedes C-Class Sedan.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus ES Series and the Mercedes C-Class Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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