Compare the2023 Lexus ESVS 2022 Mercedes C-Class Sedan

The Lexus ES 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 C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The ES’ 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. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the ES has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert to warn the driver of approaching traffic and automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision. Mercedes charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Alert on the C-Class Sedan.

Both the ES and the C-Class Sedan 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the ES the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The C-Class Sedan has not been fully tested, yet.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the ES 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’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the C-Class Sedan’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 Lexus ES Hybrid’s reliability 32 points higher than the C-Class Sedan and the Lexus ES is rated 37 points higher than the C-Class Sedan.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 24th.

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 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the ES gets better mileage than the C-Class Sedan:

The ES can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 1.6 miles. The C-Class Sedan can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

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

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.

The ES stops shorter than the C-Class Sedan:

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

The ES 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.

The ES 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.

The ES 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.

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

The ES has 6.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-Class Sedan (99.9 vs. 93).

The ES has .3 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more rear headroom and 3.2 inches more rear legroom than the C-Class Sedan.

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 48% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus ES, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes C-Class Sedan isn't recommended.

The Lexus ES outsold the Mercedes C-Class by 59% during 2022.