Compare the2023 Lexus ISVS 2022 Mercedes A-Class

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Lexus IS are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes A-Class doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 A-Class 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 A-Class 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 A-Class.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the IS’ standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The A-Class doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the IS and the A-Class 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, 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.

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 Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 96 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The A-Class has not been tested, yet.

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

The IS’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the A-Class’ (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 IS’ reliability 24 points higher than the A-Class.

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 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 20th.

The IS 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 53 more horsepower (241 vs. 188) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 221) than the A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The IS 300 AWD’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 72 more horsepower (260 vs. 188) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (236 vs. 221) than the A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The IS 350 F Sport’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 123 more horsepower (311 vs. 188) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 221) than the A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The IS 500’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 284 more horsepower (472 vs. 188) and 174 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 221) than the A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the IS 300 AWD 3.5 DOHC V6 is faster than the Mercedes A-Class:

As tested in Motor Trend the IS 500 5.0 DOHC V8 is faster than the A 220:

The IS has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the A-Class (17.4 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus IS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A-Class.

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

The IS’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the A-Class are solid, not vented.

The IS stops much shorter than the A-Class:

For better traction, the IS has larger standard tires than the A-Class (235/45R18 vs. 205/55R17). The IS Performance’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A-Class (F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. 225/40R19).

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 A-Class’ standard 55 series tires. The F Sport Design’s tires have a lower 35 series profile than the A-Class’ optional 40 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 A-Class.

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 A-Class; 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 A-Class don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the IS’ wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the A-Class (110.2 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the IS is .5 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A-Class.

The IS 350 F Sport handles at .93 G’s, while the A 220 pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The IS 500 Performance executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the A 220 (25.2 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the A-Class’ (34.2 feet vs. 36.1 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the A-Class’ (35.4 feet vs. 36.1 feet).

The IS has 3 inches more front legroom and .8 inches more front shoulder room than the A-Class.

The IS has a much larger trunk than the A-Class (10.8 vs. 8.6 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the IS offers cargo security. The A-Class’ non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

The engine in the IS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the A-Class. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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.

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 A-Class does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Consumer Reports rated the IS’ headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the A-Class’ headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

A power rear sunshade is optional in the IS to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The A-Class doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The IS will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the IS will retain 44.72% to 48.44% of its original price after five years, while the A-Class only retains 40.18% to 40.36%.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The A-Class isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Lexus IS outsold the Mercedes A-Class by over two to one during the 2021 model year.