Compare the2022 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain WagonVS 2022 Lexus RXL

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The RXL doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon. But it costs extra on the RXL.

Both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and the RXL 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 lane departure 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 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is safer than the Lexus RXL:

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 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is safer than the Lexus RXL:

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

There are over 57 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard 850-amp battery. The RXL’s 580-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 72 more horsepower (362 vs. 290) and 106 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 263) than the RX 350L’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 54 more horsepower (362 vs. 308) than the RX 450hL’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes E 450 All-Terrain Wagon is faster than the RX 350L:

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon gets better mileage than the RXL:

Both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and the RXL Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All E-Class All-Terrain Wagons have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the RXL Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the RXL’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 19.2 gallons).

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RXL.

For better stopping power the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RXL:

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon stops much shorter than the RXL:

For better traction, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has larger tires than the RXL (245/45R19 vs. 235/65R18).

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’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 RXL’s standard 65 series tires. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the RXL’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the RXL.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The RXL doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The front and rear suspension of the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the RXL, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard 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 RXL’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The RXL doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The RXL doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the RXL (115.7 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

The E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain handles at .88 G’s, while the RX 350L AWD pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the RX 350L (26.2 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is 8.4 inches shorter in height than the RXL, making the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has .3 inches more front legroom and 5.2 inches more rear legroom than the RXL.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s cargo area provides more volume than the RXL.

The engine in the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RXL. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the RXL, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The RXL’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The RXL doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the RXL.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The RXL doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Mercedes E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Lexus RXL isn’t available as a coupe, convertible or sedan.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is less expensive to operate than the RXL because typical repairs cost much less on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon than the RXL, including $378 less for a water pump, $44 less for front brake pads, $874 less for a timing belt/chain and $1089 less for a power steering pump.

The E 450/E 53 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2 of the last 4 years. The RXL has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.