Compare the2023 Mercedes C-Class CoupeVS 2023 Lexus LC

The C-Class Coupe’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The LC doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The C-Class Coupe has standard whiplash protection, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the whiplash protection system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The LC doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The C-Class Coupe offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The LC doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The C-Class Coupe offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The LC only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the C-Class Coupe and the LC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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 C-Class Coupe’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the C-Class Coupe gets better mileage than the LC Coupe:

Both the C-Class Coupe and the LC Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All C-Class Coupes have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

All wheel drive, available in the C-Class Coupe, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Lexus LC is not available with all wheel drive.

The C-Class Coupe stops shorter than the LC:

The C-Class Coupe 300 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 LC; 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.

The C-Class Coupe’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 LC doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The C 300 4MATIC handles at .91 G’s, while the LC 500h pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Mercedes C-Class Coupe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 pounds less than the Lexus LC.

The design of the Mercedes C-Class Coupe amounts to more than styling. The C-Class Coupe has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is lower than the LC (.33 to .34). A more efficient exterior helps the C-Class Coupe go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the C-Class Coupe get better fuel mileage.

The C-Class Coupe has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 3.4 inches more rear headroom and 2.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the LC.

The C-Class Coupe has a much larger trunk than the LC (10.5 vs. 5.4 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the C-Class Coupe easier. The C-Class Coupe’s trunk lift-over height is 25.3 inches, while the LC’s liftover is 33.6 inches.

The C-Class Coupe’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LC doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the C-Class Coupe’s power trunk can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The LC doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Program on the C-Class Coupe uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The LC doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the LC, the C-Class Coupe offers an optional 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 LC’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The C-Class Coupe’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the C-Class Coupe has standard extendable sun visors. The LC doesn’t offer extendable visors.

When the C-Class Coupe is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The LC’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the C-Class Coupe has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The LC doesn’t offer rear vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes C-Class offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The LC doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The C-Class Coupe’s optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The LC doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Mercedes C-Class comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Lexus LC isn’t available as a sedan.

Insurance will cost less for the C-Class Coupe owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the C-Class Coupe will cost $4660 to $5870 less than the LC over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes C-Class Coupe will be $34639 to $41596 less than for the Lexus LC.

The Mercedes C-Class outsold the Lexus LC by almost 19 to one during 2022.