Compare the2023 Mercedes EQBVS 2023 Lexus UX

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

The EQB offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The UX 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 EQB and UX have Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, but the EQB has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The UX’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the EQB and the UX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes EQB weighs 892 to 1235 pounds more than the Lexus UX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 EQB’s warranty.

The EQB 250+’s standard electric motor produces 7 more horsepower (188 vs. 181) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The EQB 300’s standard electric motor produces 44 more horsepower (225 vs. 181) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The EQB 350’s standard electric motor produces 107 more horsepower (288 vs. 181) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the EQB 350 is faster than the Lexus UX:

The EQB can travel with zero emissions for 221 to 245 miles (dependent on model). The UX can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes EQB higher (10 out of 10) than the Lexus UX (7). This means the EQB produces up to 11.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the UX every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the EQB’s brake rotors are larger than those on the UX:

For better traction, the EQB has larger tires than the UX (235/50R19 vs. 225/50R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the EQB offers optional 19-inch wheels. The UX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The EQB offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The UX’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the EQB’s wheelbase is 7.4 inches longer than on the UX (111.3 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the EQB is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than on the UX.

The EQB 350 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the UX 250h F Sport Handling AWD (27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The EQB offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the UX can only carry 5.

The EQB has 3.4 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 3 inches more rear headroom, 5 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the EQB’s middle row seats recline. The UX’s rear seats don’t recline.

The EQB uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The UX uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the UX F Sport Handling, the EQB has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, suspension setting, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The EQB’s standard easy entry and exit feature glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the UX.

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

The EQB’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 UX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The EQB offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the UX.

The EQB offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The UX doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The EQB’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The UX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.