Compare the2024 Lexus LSVS 2023 Mercedes CLS

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 CLS doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The LS has standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CLS 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 LS has a standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The CLS doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

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 CLS.

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 CLS.

Both the LS and the CLS 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 441 to 838 pounds more than the Mercedes CLS. 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 CLS. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the CLS ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The LS’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CLS’ (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 20 points higher than the CLS.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 30 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 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 CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

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

The LS Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the CLS (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 CLS 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 CLS.

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 CLS doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the LS 500 F Sport’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CLS:

The LS stops shorter than the CLS:

The LS has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CLS’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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 CLS 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 CLS (123 inches vs. 115.7 inches).

For better maneuverability, the LS’ turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the CLS’ (36.8 feet vs. 39 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 CLS doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the LS a Mid-size car, while the CLS is rated a Compact.

The LS has 6.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CLS (99.4 vs. 93).

The LS has .4 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom and 3.9 inches more rear legroom than the CLS.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the LS’ available rear seats recline. The CLS’ rear seats don’t recline.

The LS has a much larger trunk than the CLS (17 vs. 11.9 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.

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 CLS 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 CLS doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the LS and the CLS have standard heated front seats. The LS also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CLS.

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 CLS 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 CLS.

Both the LS and the CLS 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 CLS.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus LS has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. Wireless charging costs extra on the CLS.