Compare the2024 Mercedes CLEVS 2024 Lexus RC

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 RC 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 RC doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The CLE has a standard Post Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The RC 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 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 RC doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To allow off-road and deep snow capability, Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the CLE. But it costs extra on the RC.

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 RC doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

The CLE offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The RC 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 CLE and RC 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 RC’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the CLE and the RC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

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.

The CLE has more powerful engines than the RC:

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

Regenerative brakes improve the CLE’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The RC doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the CLE’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The RC doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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 RC (5). This means the CLE produces up to 13.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the RC every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes CLE, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RC.

For better stopping power the CLE’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RC:

For better traction, the CLE has larger standard tires than the RC (245/45R18 vs. 235/40R19). The CLE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RC (F:245/40R19 & R:275/35R19 vs. F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19).

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 RC F Sport’s 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CLE offers optional 20-inch wheels. The RC’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the CLE can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The RC doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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 RC doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CLE’s wheelbase is 5.3 inches longer than on the RC (112.8 inches vs. 107.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CLE is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the RC.

The CLE has 4.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RC (88 vs. 83.8).

The CLE Coupe has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 4.7 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 6.9 inches more rear legroom, 9.3 inches more rear hip room and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the RC.

The CLE Coupe has a larger trunk than the RC (11.2 vs. 10.4 cubic feet).

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 RC doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the RC, 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.

The CLE’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and 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 RC.

The CLE offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The RC doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CLE’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 RC’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 RC doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the CLE offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RC doesn’t offer cornering lights. The CLE also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

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 RC.

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 RC 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 RC doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Mercedes CLE comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Lexus RC isn’t available as a convertible.