Compare the2025 Mercedes AMG 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 AMG CLE are reminded to check the back seat. The RC doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The AMG 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 AMG 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 AMG 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 provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the AMG 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 AMG 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 AMG CLE has a standard 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 AMG CLE and RC have Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, but the AMG 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 AMG CLE and the RC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 CLE weighs 529 to 860 pounds more than the Lexus RC. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 CLE’s warranty.

The AMG CLE’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 202 more horsepower (443 vs. 241) and 155 lbs.-ft. more torque (413 vs. 258) than the RC 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The AMG CLE’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 183 more horsepower (443 vs. 260) and 177 lbs.-ft. more torque (413 vs. 236) than the RC 300 AWD’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The AMG CLE’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 132 more horsepower (443 vs. 311) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (413 vs. 280) than the RC 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

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

Regenerative brakes improve the AMG 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 AMG 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.

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

The AMG CLE’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The RC doesn’t offer launch control.

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

For better traction, the AMG CLE has larger tires than the RC (F:265/40R19 & R:295/35R19 vs. 235/40R19). The AMG CLE’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RC (F:265/40R19 & R:295/35R19 vs. F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19).

The AMG CLE’s standard 265/40R19 front and 295/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RC’s standard 45 series tires. The AMG CLE’s optional 265/35R20 front and 295/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the RC F Sport’s 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG CLE has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the RC. The AMG CLE’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the RC F Sport.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the AMG 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 AMG 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 AMG CLE’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the RC (113.2 inches vs. 107.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the AMG CLE is 3.2 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the RC.

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

The AMG 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 AMG 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 AMG 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 AMG 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 AMG 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 AMG CLE offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer 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 AMG 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 AMG 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 AMG CLE offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RC doesn’t offer cornering lights. The AMG CLE also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Both the Mercedes AMG CLE and Lexus RC offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The AMG CLE 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 RC’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The AMG 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 AMG CLE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The RC doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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