Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG E-Class CoupeVS 2023 Lexus RC F

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG E-Class Coupe 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 Lexus RC F doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The AMG E-Class Coupe has a standard Maneuvering Brake Function that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The RC F doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The AMG E-Class Coupe has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The RC F doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The AMG E-Class Coupe has a standard Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The RC F 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 AMG E-Class Coupe and RC F have Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, but the AMG E-Class Coupe has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The RC F’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the AMG E-Class Coupe and the RC F have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes AMG E-Class Coupe weighs 531 to 652 pounds more than the Lexus RC F. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 AMG E-Class Coupe’s warranty.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes AMG E-Class Coupe is faster than the Lexus RC F:

On the EPA test cycle the AMG E 53 Coupe gets better fuel mileage than the RC F (20 city/28 hwy vs. 16 city/24 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the AMG E-Class Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The RC F doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the AMG E-Class Coupe’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The RC F doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes AMG E-Class Coupe higher (6 out of 10) than the Lexus RC F (5). This means the AMG E-Class Coupe produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the RC F every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG E-Class Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RC F.

All wheel drive, available in the AMG E-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 RC F is not available with all wheel drive.

For better traction, the AMG E-Class Coupe has larger front tires than the RC F (F:245/40R19 & R:275/35R19 vs. F:235/35R19 & R:275/35R19).

The AMG E-Class Coupe’s optional 275/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RC F’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG E-Class Coupe offers optional 20-inch wheels. The RC F’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

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

The front and rear suspension of the AMG E-Class Coupe uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the RC F, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The AMG E-Class Coupe has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The AMG E-Class Coupe’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 RC F doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The AMG E-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 RC F doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the AMG E-Class Coupe’s wheelbase is 5.6 inches longer than on the RC F (113.1 inches vs. 107.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the AMG E-Class Coupe is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than on the RC F.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the AMG E-Class Coupe has an electronically controlled liquid-filled main engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The RC F uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The AMG E-Class Coupe has 9.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RC F (89 vs. 79.4).

The AMG E-Class Coupe has 4.8 inches more front hip room, 5.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 8.6 inches more rear legroom, 5 inches more rear hip room and 4.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the RC F.

The AMG E-Class Coupe’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The RC F doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the AMG E-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 RC F doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

The AMG E-Class Coupe’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the RC F, and is not available on all models.

The AMG E-Class Coupe offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The RC F doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The AMG E-Class Coupe’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 RC F’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the AMG E-Class Coupe to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The RC F doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the AMG E-Class Coupe has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RC F doesn’t offer cornering lights. The AMG E-Class Coupe also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

A power rear sunshade is standard in the AMG E-Class Coupe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The RC F doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The AMG E-Class Coupe has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The RC F Track Edition doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The AMG E-Class Coupe offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the RC F.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes AMG E-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The RC F doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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

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

Motor Trend selected the E-Class as their 2021 Car of the Year. The RC F has never been chosen.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the Lexus RC by over seven to one during 2022.