Compare the2025 Mercedes AMG C-Class SedanVS 2025 Acura TLX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The AMG C-Class Sedan’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The TLX 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 AMG C-Class Sedan are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The TLX doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The AMG C-Class Sedan 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 TLX doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The AMG C-Class Sedan 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 TLX 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 AMG C-Class Sedan offers an optional Maneuvering Brake Function that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The TLX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the AMG C-Class Sedan. But it costs extra on the TLX.

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

Both the AMG C-Class Sedan and TLX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the AMG C-Class Sedan has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The TLX’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the AMG C-Class Sedan and the TLX 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, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The TLX has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Warranty

There are over 41 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Acura dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the AMG C-Class Sedan’s warranty.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the AMG C-Class Sedan’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the TLX’s camshafts. If the TLX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

Engine

The AMG C 43’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 144 more horsepower (416 vs. 272) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 280) than the TLX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The AMG C 43’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 61 more horsepower (416 vs. 355) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 354) than the TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6. The AMG C 63 S E’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 316 more horsepower (671 vs. 355) and 398 lbs.-ft. more torque (752 vs. 354) than the TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan is faster than the Acura TLX:

	AMG C 43	AMG C 63 S E	TLX turbo 4 cyl.	TLX Type S
Zero to 60 MPH	4.5 sec	2.9 sec	7 sec	5.1 sec
Quarter Mile	13 sec	11.2 sec	15.4 sec	13.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	107.3 MPH	121 MPH	91.5 MPH	101.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the AMG C-Class Sedan running on electricity gets better mileage than the TLX:

			MPGe
AMG C-Class Sedan
	AWD	63 S E Electric Motors	36 city/38 hwy
TLX
			MPG
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/31 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6	19 city/25 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the AMG C 43 with its standard engine running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the TLX Type S (19 city/27 hwy vs. 19 city/25 hwy).

The AMG C 63 S E can travel with zero emissions for 7 miles. The TLX can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the AMG C-Class Sedan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The TLX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The AMG C-Class Sedan’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the TLX (17.4 vs. 15.9 gallons).

Transmission

The AMG C-Class Sedan offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The TLX doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The AMG C-Class Sedan’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s at 4000 in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The TLX doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the AMG C-Class Sedan’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the TLX:

	AMG C 43	AMG C 63 S E CCB	TLX	TLX Type S
Front Rotors	14.6 inches	15.8 inches	13 inches	14.3 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	14.5 inches	13 inches	13 inches

The AMG C-Class Sedan’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the TLX are solid, not vented.

The AMG C-Class Sedan offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The TLX doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The AMG C-Class Sedan stops much shorter than the TLX:

	AMG C-Class Sedan	TLX
100 to 0 MPH	281 feet	362 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	139 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	103 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the AMG C 63 S E’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the TLX (F:265/35R20 & R:275/35R20 vs. 255/35R20).

The AMG C-Class Sedan’s optional 265/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the TLX Type S’ 35 series tires.

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

Suspension and Handling

The AMG C-Class Sedan’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 TLX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The AMG C 63 S E handles at .99 G’s, while the TLX A-Spec SH-AWD pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The AMG C 43 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2 seconds quicker than the TLX A-Spec SH-AWD (24.9 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 26.9 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the AMG C 43’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the TLX’s (39.3 feet vs. 40.2 feet). The AMG C 63 S E’s turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the TLX’s (39.7 feet vs. 40.2 feet).

Chassis

The AMG C-Class Sedan is 6 inches shorter than the TLX, making the AMG C-Class Sedan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The AMG C-Class Sedan has 3.8 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 1.1 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the TLX.

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the AMG C-Class Sedan’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The TLX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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

Servicing Ease

The engine in the AMG C-Class Sedan is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the TLX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the TLX, the AMG C-Class Sedan 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.

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

The AMG C-Class Sedan’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the car, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Entry standard on the TLX doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The AMG C-Class Sedan’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 TLX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the AMG C-Class Sedan to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The TLX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

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

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the AMG C-Class Sedan to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The TLX doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The AMG C-Class Sedan’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The TLX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the TLX Type S.

The AMG C-Class Sedan has a 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 TLX doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The AMG C-Class Sedan’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The TLX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Mercedes C-Class outsold the Acura TLX by almost two to one during 2023.

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