Compare the2026 Lexus RZVS 2026 Mercedes EQE SUV

The Lexus RZ has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The EQE SUV doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The RZ has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The EQE SUV 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.

The Lexus RZ’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mercedes EQE SUV does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the RZ and the EQE SUV 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RZ 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the EQE SUV. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the EQE SUV ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The RZ’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the EQE SUV’s (6 vs. 5 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the RZ’s reliability 35 points higher than the EQE SUV.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 44 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 21st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 103 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 19th.

As tested in Motor Trend the RZ 450e electric motors is faster than the EQE SUV 320+ electric motor:

The RZ can travel longer on a full charge than the EQE SUV on a full charge:

The RZ stops shorter than the EQE SUV:

The RZ 450e Luxury handles at .86 G’s, while the EQE SUV 320+ pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The RZ 450e Luxury executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the EQE SUV 320+ (25.9 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 26.4 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the RZ has a 2.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the EQE SUV (7.9 vs. 5.2 inches), allowing the RZ to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The RZ’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the AMG EQE SUV (7.9 vs. 7.6 inches).

The Lexus RZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 to 1100 pounds less than the Mercedes EQE SUV.

The front grille of the RZ uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The EQE SUV doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The RZ uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The EQE SUV doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the RZ’s rear seats recline. The EQE SUV’s rear seats don’t recline.

The RZ has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EQE SUV with its rear seat up (34.1 vs. 14 cubic feet). The RZ has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EQE SUV with its rear seat folded (55.6 vs. 55 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 26% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 14th.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RZ offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The EQE SUV doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The RZ has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the EQE SUV.

The RZ is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the EQE SUV, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the RZ offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the EQE SUV.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the RZ equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The EQE SUV, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Lexus RZ empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

The RZ 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 EQE SUV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The RZ’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Advanced Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The EQE SUV’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus RZ, based on reliability, safety and performance.