Compare the2024 Mercedes CLEVS 2024 Lexus LC

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics

Safety

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

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the CLE are reminded to check the back seat. The LC doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The CLE has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The LC doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CLE has standard Maneuvering Assistance that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The LC doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The CLE offers four-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The LC doesn’t offer four-wheel drive.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The CLE has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The LC doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the CLE and LC have Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, but the CLE has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The LC’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the CLE and the LC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

Warranty

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 CLE’s warranty.

Engine

The CLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 21 more horsepower (375 vs. 354) and 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 350) than the LC 500h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the CLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the LC 500 5.0 DOHC V8:

	CLE	LC
Zero to 60 MPH	4.1 sec	4.7 sec
Quarter Mile	12.9 sec	13 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CLE Coupe gets better mileage than the LC Coupe:

			MPG
CLE Coupe
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/34 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/32 hwy
LC Coupe
	RWD	5.0 V8	16 city/24 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the CLE Cabriolet gets better mileage than the LC Convertible:

			MPG
CLE Cabriolet
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/32 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/32 hwy
LC Convertible
	RWD	5.0 V8	15 city/25 hwy
		5.0 V8	16 city/24 hwy

Regardless of its engine, the CLE’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the LC Hybrid, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes CLE higher (7 to 8 out of 10) than the Lexus LC (5 to 7). This means the CLE produces up to 13.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the LC every 15,000 miles.

Tires and Wheels

The CLE’s optional 245/35R20 front and 275/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LC’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

Suspension and Handling

The CLE’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 LC doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The CLE 450 Coupe handles at .91 G’s, while the LC 500h pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Chassis

The Mercedes CLE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 300 pounds less than the Lexus LC.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the CLE Cabriolet a Subcompact car, while the LC Convertible is rated a Minicompact.

The CLE Coupe has 2.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LC (88 vs. 85.9). The CLE Cabriolet has 12.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LC Convertible (88 vs. 75.2).

The CLE Coupe has 3.1 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 4.5 inches more front hip room, 3.8 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom, 10.5 inches more rear hip room and 3.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the LC.

The CLE Convertible has 3.5 inches more front headroom, 4.4 inches more front hip room, 3.9 inches more rear headroom, 6.2 inches more rear legroom, 11.2 inches more rear hip room and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the LC Convertible.

Cargo Capacity

The CLE Coupe has a much larger trunk than the LC (11.2 vs. 5.4 cubic feet).

The CLE Cabriolet has a much larger trunk with its top down than the LC Convertible (9.6 vs. 3.4 cubic feet).

The CLE’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LC doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

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

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the LC, the CLE has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

In case of a sudden change of weather, the CLE has a standard remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the CLE has a standard remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The LC doesn’t offer a remote top, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the CLE to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The LC doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The LC’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The CLE’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the CLE offers optional extendable sun visors. The LC doesn’t offer extendable visors.

When the CLE is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The LC’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

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

For greater rear passenger comfort, the CLE has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The LC doesn’t offer rear vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes CLE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The LC doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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

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