Compare the2023 Lexus LSVS 2023 Mercedes E-Class Sedan

The Lexus LS has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The LS’ 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 E-Class Sedan.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the LS has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Parking Support Brake automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Mercedes charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Alert on the E-Class Sedan.

Both the LS and the E-Class Sedan 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Lexus LS weighs 474 to 1312 pounds more than the Mercedes E-Class Sedan. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

The LS’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the E-Class Sedan’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 LS’ reliability 21 points higher than the E-Class Sedan.

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 LS 500h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 99 more horsepower (354 vs. 255) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 273) than the E 350 Sedan’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The LS 500’s standard 3.4 turbo V6 produces 54 more horsepower (416 vs. 362) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 369) than the E 450 4MATIC Sedan’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

The LS can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for .6 miles. The E-Class Sedan can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The LS’ standard fuel tank has 4.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the E-Class Sedan 350’s standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The LS Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the E-Class Sedan 450’s standard fuel tank (22.2 vs. 21.1 gallons).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Lexus LS as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Mercedes E-Class Sedan is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus LS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the E-Class Sedan.

The LS 500h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the LS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the E-Class Sedan:

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the LS has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the E-Class Sedan. The LS’ optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the E 350 Sedan.

The LS F-Sport offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the LS’ wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the E-Class Sedan (123 inches vs. 115.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the LS is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the average track on the E-Class Sedan.

The LS 500 F Sport handles at .88 G’s, while the E 450 4MATIC Sedan pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The LS 500 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the E 450 4MATIC Sedan (25.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 26.2 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the LS’ turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the E 350 Sedan’s (36.8 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The LS uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the LS 500 AWD is quieter than the E 450 4MATIC Sedan:

The LS has 1 inch more front shoulder room and 2.7 inches more rear legroom than the E-Class Sedan.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the LS’ available rear seats recline. The E-Class Sedan’s rear seats don’t recline.

The LS has a much larger trunk than the E-Class Sedan (17 vs. 13.1 cubic feet).

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.

Consumer Reports rated the LS’ headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the E-Class Sedan’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The LS offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A power rear sunshade is standard in the LS and power rear side window sunshades are optional to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The LS has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The LS has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the E-Class Sedan.

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