Compare the2023 Mercedes E-Class SedanVS 2023 Acura TLX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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

The E-Class Sedan’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The TLX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The E-Class Sedan offers an optional Post Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The TLX 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 E-Class Sedan offers an optional Maneuvering Brake Function that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The TLX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The E-Class Sedan has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the TLX’s blind spot costs extra.

Both the E-Class Sedan and TLX offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the E-Class Sedan with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert also has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The TLX’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the E-Class Sedan and the TLX 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes E-Class Sedan is safer than the Acura TLX:

	E-Class Sedan	TLX
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	204	358
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	29%	32%
Neck Stress	120 lbs.	186 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	257/308 lbs.	416/473 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mercedes E-Class Sedan is safer than the Acura TLX:

	E-Class Sedan	TLX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Abdominal Force	149 lbs.	188 lbs.
Hip Force	223 lbs.	279 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	46 G’s	53 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	12 inches
HIC	326	464

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

There are over 41 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Acura dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the E-Class Sedan’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the E-Class Sedan third among midsize premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The TLX isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. With 3 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Acura.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Acura With 49 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Acura.

Engine

The E 450 4MATIC Sedan’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 7 more horsepower (362 vs. 355) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 354) than the TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the E 450 4MATIC Sedan 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the TLX Type S 3.0 turbo V6:

	E-Class Sedan	TLX
Zero to 60 MPH	4.3 sec	4.9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	11 sec	12.6 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.2 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	12.9 sec	13.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	108 MPH	103 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class Sedan gets better mileage than the TLX:

			MPG
E-Class Sedan
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/31 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/30 hwy
TLX
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/31 hwy
		A-Spec 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6	19 city/25 hwy
		Perf. Tire 3.0 turbo V6	19 city/24 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the E-Class Sedan 450’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The TLX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The E-Class Sedan 350’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the TLX (17.4 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The E-Class Sedan 450’s standard fuel tank has 5.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the TLX (21.1 vs. 15.9 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

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

The E-Class Sedan stops much shorter than the TLX:

	E-Class Sedan	TLX
70 to 0 MPH	154 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	106 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	143 feet	148 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the E-Class Sedan has larger tires than the TLX (245/45R18 vs. 235/50R18).

The E-Class Sedan’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 TLX’s standard 50 series tires.

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

Suspension and Handling

The E-Class Sedan 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 Sedan’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 TLX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The E-Class Sedan’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 TLX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the E-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is 2.7 inches longer than on the TLX (115.7 inches vs. 113 inches).

The E-Class Sedan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (54.2% to 45.8%) than the TLX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the E-Class Sedan more stable handling and braking.

The E-Class Sedan 4MATIC handles at .93 G’s, while the TLX A-Spec SH-AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The E-Class Sedan 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the TLX A-Spec SH-AWD (25.1 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 26.9 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the E-Class Sedan’s turning circle is tighter than the TLX’s:

	E-Class Sedan	TLX
Sedan	38.1 feet	40.1 feet
AWDSedan	38.1 feet	40.1 feet

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the E 450 4MATIC Sedan is quieter than the TLX Type S (68 vs. 71 dB).

Passenger Space

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

The E-Class Sedan has 4.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the TLX (98 vs. 93.4).

The E-Class Sedan has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 1.3 inches more rear legroom and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the TLX.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the E-Class Sedan has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The TLX doesn’t offer a power trunk.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the E-Class Sedan is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the TLX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the TLX, the E-Class Sedan 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.

The power windows standard on both the E-Class Sedan and the TLX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the E-Class Sedan is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The TLX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The E-Class Sedan’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The TLX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the E-Class Sedan offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The TLX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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

The E-Class Sedan’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The TLX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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

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

Model Availability

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

Recommendations

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2021 issue and they ranked the Mercedes E 450 4MATIC Sedan first. They ranked the Acura TLX A-Spec SH-AWD third.

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

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the Acura TLX by 64% during 2022.