Compare the2022 Acura TLXVS 2021 Mercedes C-Class Sedan

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The TLX’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 C-Class Sedan.

Both the TLX and the C-Class Sedan 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, 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 Acura TLX is safer than the Mercedes C-Class Sedan:

	TLX	C-Class Sedan
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	20%	24%
Neck Stress	175 lbs.	203 lbs.
Neck Compression	27 lbs.	62 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	258/267 lbs.	421/449 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	32%	60%
Neck Compression	66 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 Acura TLX is safer than the Mercedes C-Class Sedan:

	TLX	C-Class Sedan
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	128	165
Chest Movement	.8 inches	1.1 inches
Hip Force	279 lbs.	304 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	181	212
Hip Force	539 lbs.	838 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	51 G’s
Hip Force	484 lbs.	666 lbs.

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 TLX, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 2% 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 TLX its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 76 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The C-Class Sedan is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2021.

Warranty

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the TLX 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.

Reliability

The battery on the TLX is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the TLX’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The C-Class Sedan’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 TLX’s reliability 57 points higher than the C-Class Sedan.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

Engine

The TLX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 17 more horsepower (272 vs. 255) and 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 273) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 100 more horsepower (355 vs. 255) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 273) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the TLX Type S’ fuel efficiency. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura TLX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The C-Class Sedan requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The TLX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura TLX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the C-Class Sedan.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the TLX Type S’ brake rotors are larger than those on the C-Class Sedan:

	TLX Type S	C-Class Sedan
Front Rotors	14.3 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	11.8 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the TLX has larger standard tires than the C-Class Sedan (235/50R18 vs. 225/50R17). The TLX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C-Class Sedan (255/35R20 vs. 225/40R19).

The TLX Type S’ tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the C-Class Sedan’s optional 40 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the C-Class Sedan. The TLX Type S’ 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the C-Class Sedan.

The TLX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

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

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 3.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the C-Class Sedan.

The TLX Type S handles at .97 G’s, while the C 300 Sedan 4MATIC pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The TLX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the C 300 Sedan 4MATIC (25 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

Chassis

The TLX 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

The TLX has 3.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-Class Sedan (93.4 vs. 90).

The TLX has .1 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom and 2.9 inches more front shoulder room than the C-Class Sedan.

Cargo Capacity

The TLX has a larger trunk than the C-Class Sedan (13.5 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

Ergonomics

Both the TLX and the C-Class Sedan have standard heated front seats. The TLX Advance also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the C-Class Sedan.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Acura TLX, based on reliability, safety and performance.