Compare the2023 Lexus ISVS 2023 Mercedes CLA

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Lexus IS 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 Mercedes CLA doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The IS has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CLA 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 IS offers optional Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The CLA doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The IS’ standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the CLA.

Both the IS and the CLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the IS its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 127 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CLA has not been tested, yet.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the IS 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the CLA. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the CLA ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The IS’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CLA’s (6 vs. 5 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the IS’ reliability 40 points higher than the CLA.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The CLA 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 Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 24th.

The IS 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (241 vs. 221) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The IS 300 AWD’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 39 more horsepower (260 vs. 221) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The IS 350 F Sport’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 90 more horsepower (311 vs. 221) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The IS 500’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 251 more horsepower (472 vs. 221) and 137 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the IS 300 AWD 3.5 DOHC V6 is faster than the Mercedes CLA:

As tested in Motor Trend the IS 500 5.0 DOHC V8 is faster than the CLA 250:

The IS has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the CLA (17.4 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus IS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the CLA.

For better stopping power the IS 500 Performance’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CLA:

The IS’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CLA are solid, not vented.

The IS stops much shorter than the CLA:

For better traction, the IS has larger standard tires than the CLA (235/45R18 vs. 225/45R18). The IS Performance’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CLA (F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. 225/45R18).

The F Sport Design’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CLA’s optional 40 series tires.

The IS 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 CLA; 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. Some tire options on the CLA don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the IS’ wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the CLA (110.2 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

The IS’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (54% to 46%) than the CLA’s (60% to 40%). This gives the IS more stable handling and braking.

The IS 350 F Sport handles at .93 G’s, while the CLA 250 4MATIC pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The IS 500 Performance executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the CLA 250 4MATIC (25.2 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the CLA’s (34.2 feet vs. 36.1 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the CLA’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.1 feet).

The IS has 3 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room and 1.2 inches more rear headroom than the CLA.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the IS offers cargo security. The CLA’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

The engine in the IS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CLA. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 48% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

The IS’ instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The CLA does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Consumer Reports rated the IS’ headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the CLA’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

A power rear sunshade is optional in the IS to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CLA doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The IS will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the IS will retain 44.72% to 48.44% of its original price after five years, while the CLA only retains 41.76% to 41.79%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus IS, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes CLA isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The CLA isn’t in the top three.

The Lexus IS outsold the Mercedes CLA by over two to one during 2022.