Compare the2023 Mercedes E-Class CabrioletVS 2023 Lexus LC

The E-Class Cabriolet’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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The E-Class Cabriolet 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 LC doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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

The E-Class Cabriolet has a standard 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 E-Class Cabriolet and LC have Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, but the E-Class Cabriolet has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The LC’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

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

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 E-Class Cabriolet’s warranty.

The E-Class Cabriolet’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 8 more horsepower (362 vs. 354) and 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 350) than the LC 500h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet is faster than the Lexus LC:

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class Cabriolet gets better mileage than the LC Convertible:

Both the E-Class Cabriolet 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 E-Class Cabriolets 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 E-Class Cabriolet, 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 E-Class Cabriolet’s optional 245/35R20 front and 275/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LC’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

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

The E-Class Cabriolet’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.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the E-Class Cabriolet a Subcompact car, while the LC Convertible is rated a Minicompact.

The E-Class Cabriolet has 11.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LC Convertible (87 vs. 75.2).

The E-Class Cabriolet has a much larger trunk with its top down than the LC Convertible (9.5 vs. 3.4 cubic feet).

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

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the E-Class Cabriolet’s trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The LC doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the LC, the E-Class Cabriolet has standard driver and 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.

In case of a sudden change of weather, the E-Class Cabriolet has a standard remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the E-Class Cabriolet has a standard remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The LC doesn’t offer a remote top, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

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

The LC’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The E-Class Cabriolet’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 E-Class Cabriolet has standard extendable sun visors. The LC doesn’t offer extendable visors.

When the E-Class Cabriolet 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.

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

For greater rear passenger comfort, the E-Class Cabriolet 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 E-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The LC doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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

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

Insurance will cost less for the E-Class Cabriolet owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the E-Class Cabriolet will cost $1800 to $3340 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 E-Class Cabriolet will be $14750 to $19385 less than for the Lexus LC.

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

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the Lexus LC by almost 14 to one during 2022.