Compare the2022 Lexus RXLVS 2021 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon

The Lexus RXL has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The RXL has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The RXL offers optional Auto Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The RXL’s 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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RXL 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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

Both the RXL and the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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 available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RXL the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has not been tested, yet.

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

The RXL’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’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 RXL’s reliability 31 points higher than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RXL first among midsize premium suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon isn’t in the top three in its category.

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.

On the EPA test cycle the RX 450hL 3.5 V6 Hybrid CVT AWD gets better fuel mileage than the E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain (29 city/28 hwy vs. 22 city/28 hwy).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Lexus RXL at emission levels ranging from “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) to “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

The RX 450hL 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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RXL offers optional 20-inch wheels. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The RXL 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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon; 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 greater off-road capability the RXL has a 2.35 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon (8.1 vs. 5.75 inches), allowing the RXL to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The RXL has 2.3 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

Third row passengers in the RXL sit facing forward, making them more comfortable and giving them a better view. The third row passengers in the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon face rearward.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the RXL’s middle row seats recline. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s middle row seats don’t recline.

The RXL’s cargo area is larger than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s in almost every dimension:

Both the RXL and the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon offer second row automatic folding seats. The RXL’s third row seats also fold up or down via a control in the cargo area. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

Optional Trailer Sway Control on the RXL uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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.

The RXL’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s parking brake has to released manually.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the RXL has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The RXL is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the RXL is less expensive to operate than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon because it costs $118 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the RXL than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon, including $453 less for a muffler, $115 less for a starter, $211 less for fuel injection, $24 less for a fuel pump and $171 less for front struts.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Lexus RXL as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lexus RX Series outsold the Mercedes E-Class/CLS by almost four to one during 2020.