Compare the2022 Lexus ISVS 2021 Mercedes C-Class Sedan

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The IS 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 IS offers optional Auto Rear 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 IS’ 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.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the IS has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the C-Class Sedan.

Both the IS 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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

	IS	C-Class Sedan
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	41%	60%
Neck Compression	81 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 IS is safer than the Mercedes C-Class Sedan:

	IS	C-Class Sedan
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	89	459
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	67 G’s
Hip Force	691 lbs.	949 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	43 G’s

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the IS, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 1.5% less likely to roll over than the C-Class Sedan, which received a four-star rating.

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 IS its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 75 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The C-Class Sedan is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2021.

Warranty

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the IS 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 IS’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the C-Class Sedan’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS third among compact premium cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The C-Class Sedan isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 25th, 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 IS 300 AWD’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 5 more horsepower (260 vs. 255) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The IS 350 F Sport’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 56 more horsepower (311 vs. 255) and 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 273) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The IS 500’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 217 more horsepower (472 vs. 255) and 122 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 273) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the IS’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the C-Class Sedan:

	IS	IS 500	C-Class Sedan
Front Rotors	13.2 inches	14 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	11.7 inches	12.7 inches	11.8 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the IS has larger standard tires than the C-Class Sedan (235/45R18 vs. 225/50R17). The IS 350 F Sport/500’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C-Class Sedan (F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. F:225/40R19 & R:255/35R19).

The IS 300’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the C-Class Sedan’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the IS 300 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the C-Class Sedan.

The IS 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 IS offers an optional 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 better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the IS is .7 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the C-Class Sedan.

The IS 350 F Sport handles at .93 G’s, while the C 300 Sedan 4MATIC pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The IS 350 F Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the C 300 Sedan 4MATIC (25.4 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the C-Class Sedan’s (34.2 feet vs. 36.8 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the C-Class Sedan’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

Passenger Space

The IS has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 3.1 inches more front legroom and .6 inches more front shoulder room than the C-Class Sedan.

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 28% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 6th.

Ergonomics

The IS’ instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The C-Class Sedan does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the IS is less expensive to operate than the C-Class Sedan because it costs $536 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the IS than the C-Class Sedan, including $124 less for a water pump, $511 less for a muffler, $42 less for front brake pads, $410 less for a fuel pump and $72 less for front struts.

Recommendations

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

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