Compare the2025 Mercedes C-Class SedanVS 2024 Lexus IS

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
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 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 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.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The C-Class Sedan offers optional Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly 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 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 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 C-Class Sedan and the IS 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, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The Mercedes 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 C-Class Sedan’s warranty.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the 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 C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 14 more horsepower (255 vs. 241) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the IS 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 236) than the IS 300 AWD’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 280) than the IS 350 F Sport’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the C-Class Sedan gets better mileage than the IS:

			MPG
C-Class Sedan
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/35 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy
IS
	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

Regenerative brakes improve the 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 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.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes C-Class Sedan higher (7 out of 10) than the Lexus IS (5). This means the C-Class Sedan produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the IS every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

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

Brakes and Stopping

The C-Class Sedan stops shorter than the IS:

	C-Class Sedan	IS
100 to 0 MPH	314 feet	320 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	154 feet	159 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction and acceleration, the C-Class Sedan has larger standard rear tires than the IS (245/40R18 vs. 235/45R18).

The C-Class Sedan’s standard 245/40R18 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the IS 300’s standard 45 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 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 C-Class Sedan has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The IS base model’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The 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 C-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the IS (112.8 inches vs. 110.2 inches).

The C 300 Sedan 4MATIC handles at .91 G’s, while the IS 500 Performance pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The design of the Mercedes C-Class Sedan amounts to more than styling. The C-Class Sedan has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .24 Cd. That is significantly lower than the IS (.28 to .3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the C-Class Sedan get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

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

The C-Class Sedan has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 3.8 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 3.8 inches more rear legroom, 4.1 inches more rear hip room and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the IS.

Cargo Capacity

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

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the 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 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 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 C-Class Sedan 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 IS doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the C-Class Sedan and the IS have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the 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 C-Class Sedan’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, 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 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 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 nozzles are optional on the C-Class Sedan to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The IS doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the C-Class Sedan’s headlight performance “Excellent,” a higher rating than the IS’ headlights, which were rated “Very Good.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the 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 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 C-Class Sedan and Lexus IS offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The 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 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 C-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The IS doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The 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 C-Class Sedan’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, 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.