Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG C-Class SedanVS 2023 Lexus IS

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the AMG C-Class Sedan. But it costs extra on the IS.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the AMG C-Class Sedan has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Active Brake Assist, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Rear Cross-Traffic Braking costs extra on the IS.

The AMG C-Class Sedan’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The IS doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG C-Class Sedan and the IS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras 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 AMG C-Class Sedan’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the AMG C-Class Sedan’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the IS’ camshafts. If the IS’ belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The AMG C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 161 more horsepower (402 vs. 241) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 258) than the IS 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The AMG C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 142 more horsepower (402 vs. 260) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 236) than the IS 300 AWD’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The AMG C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 91 more horsepower (402 vs. 311) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 280) than the IS 350 F Sport’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the AMG C-Class Sedan’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 IS doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

A nine-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the IS.

The AMG C-Class Sedan offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The IS doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The AMG C-Class Sedan’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The IS doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the AMG C-Class Sedan’s brake rotors are larger than those on the IS:

For better traction, the AMG C-Class Sedan has larger tires than the IS (245/45R18 vs. 235/45R18). The AMG C-Class Sedan’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the IS (245/45R18 vs. 235/40R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG C-Class Sedan offers optional 20-inch wheels. The IS’ largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the AMG C-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 IS doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The AMG C-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 IS doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the AMG C-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the IS (112.8 inches vs. 110.2 inches).

The AMG C-Class Sedan has 2.8 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 3.8 inches more rear legroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the IS.

The AMG C-Class Sedan has a much larger trunk than the IS (12.6 vs. 10.8 cubic feet).

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the AMG C-Class Sedan’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The IS doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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

The AMG C-Class Sedan offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning 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 IS doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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

The AMG C-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 IS’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

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

The AMG C-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 IS.

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

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

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

The Mercedes C-Class outsold the Lexus IS by 22% during 2022.