Compare the2025 Mercedes AMG C-Class SedanVS 2024 Lexus IS

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

Safety

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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 IS 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 IS doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

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 IS.

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 IS 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 AMG C-Class Sedan 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. Rear Cross-Traffic Braking costs extra on the IS.

The AMG C-Class Sedan’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The IS doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG C-Class Sedan and the IS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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 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 IS has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

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 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 IS’ camshafts. If the IS’ belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

Engine

The AMG C-Class Sedan has more powerful engines than the IS:

	Horsepower	Torque
AMG C 43 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	416 HP	369 lbs.-ft.
AMG C 63 S E 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	671 HP	752 lbs.-ft.
IS 300 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	241 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
IS 300 AWD 3.5 DOHC V6	260 HP	236 lbs.-ft.
IS 350 F Sport 3.5 DOHC V6	311 HP	280 lbs.-ft.
IS 500 5.0 DOHC V8	472 HP	395 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the AMG C 43 is faster than the Lexus IS:

	AMG C-Class Sedan	IS 300 AWD	IS 350 F Sport
Zero to 60 MPH	4.5 sec	5.7 sec	5.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13 sec	14.3 sec	14.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	107.3 MPH	97.6 MPH	100.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPGe
AMG C-Class Sedan
	AWD	63 S E Electric Motors	36 city/38 hwy
IS
			MPG
	RWD	5.0 V8	17 city/25 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/31 hwy
		3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/28 hwy
	AWD	350 F Sport 3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
		300 AWD 3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the AMG C-Class Sedan running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the IS:

			MPG
AMG C-Class Sedan
	AWD	AMG C 43 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	19 city/27 hwy
IS
	RWD	5.0 V8	17 city/25 hwy
	AWD	350 F Sport 3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
		300 AWD 3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy

The AMG C 63 S E can travel with zero emissions for 7 miles. The IS 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 IS doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the AMG C-Class Sedan’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 IS doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the IS.

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 IS 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 IS doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	AMG C 43	AMG C 63 S E CCB	IS	IS 500 Performance
Front Rotors	14.6 inches	15.8 inches	13.1 inches	14 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	14.5 inches	11.7 inches	12.7 inches

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 IS doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

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

	AMG C-Class Sedan	IS
100 to 0 MPH	281 feet	320 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	139 feet	159 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	103 feet	117 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the AMG C-Class Sedan has larger standard tires than the IS (245/45R18 vs. 235/45R18). The AMG C 63 S E’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the IS (F:265/35R20 & R:275/35R20 vs. F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19).

The AMG C-Class Sedan’s optional 245/35R20 front and 265/30R20 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 IS F Sport’s 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG C-Class Sedan offers optional 20-inch wheels. The IS’ largest wheels are only 19-inches.

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 IS 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 IS doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the AMG C-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the IS (112.8 inches vs. 110.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the AMG C-Class Sedan is 1.5 inches wider in the front than the average track on the IS.

The AMG C 63 S E handles at .99 G’s, while the IS 500 Performance pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The AMG C 43 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the IS 300 AWD (24.9 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 25.9 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

Chassis

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the AMG C-Class Sedan Dynamic Plus has an electronically controlled liquid-filled front engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The IS uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

Passenger Space

The AMG C-Class Sedan has 2.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the IS (93 vs. 90.2).

The AMG C-Class Sedan has 2.8 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 3.8 inches more rear legroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the IS.

Cargo Capacity

The AMG C-Class Sedan has a larger trunk than the IS (11.6 vs. 10.8 cubic feet).

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the AMG C-Class Sedan’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The IS 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 IS doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Ergonomics

The AMG C-Class Sedan’s standard easy entry and exit feature 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 IS.

The AMG C-Class Sedan offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning 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 IS doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the AMG C-Class Sedan and the IS 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 IS 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 Access standard on the IS 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 power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The IS’ cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 IS’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 IS doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the AMG C-Class Sedan has standard extendable sun visors. The IS doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 IS doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan and Lexus IS offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The AMG C-Class Sedan features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the IS’ foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Lexus charges extra for Homelink® on the IS.

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

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 IS 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 IS doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Mercedes C-Class outsold the Lexus IS by 45% during 2023.

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