Compare the2024 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain WagonVS 2024 Lexus RX

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The RX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has standard whiplash protection, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the whiplash protection system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The RX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon. But it costs extra on the RX.

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

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Active Brake Assist, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Parking Support Brake costs extra on the RX.

Both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and the RX 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s warranty.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 129 more horsepower (375 vs. 246) and 136 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 233) than the RX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 100 more horsepower (375 vs. 275) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 317) than the RX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 71 more horsepower (375 vs. 304) than the RX 450h+’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 9 more horsepower (375 vs. 366) than the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon gets better mileage than the RX running its gasoline engine:

Both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and the RX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All E-Class All-Terrain Wagons have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The RX 350h/500h doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 450+’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RX.

For better stopping power the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the RX:

For better traction, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (F:255/40R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. 235/60R19).

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RX’s standard 60 series tires. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s optional 255/40R20 front and 285/35R20 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the RX’s optional 50 series tires.

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

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The RX base model’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the RX, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The RX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’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 RX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s wheelbase is 4.4 inches longer than on the RX (116.6 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is 8.4 inches shorter in height than the RX, making the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The design of the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon amounts to more than styling. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .28 Cd. That is significantly lower than the RX (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon get better fuel mileage.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has .4 inches more front legroom, 3.8 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the RX.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (33.1 vs. 29.6 cubic feet). The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (64.6 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s cargo area is larger than the RX’s in every dimension:

The engine in the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the RX Premium/Luxury/500h F Sport, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The RX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The RX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the RX.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes E-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the RX.

The Mercedes E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Lexus RX isn’t available as a coupe, convertible or sedan.