2015 Lexus IS vs 2015 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2015 Lexus IS

2015 Mercedes-Benz C Class

Select style

4-Door Sport Sedan AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
IS 250 4-Door Sport Sedan AWD	20	27	$36,350	$39,085
IS 250 4-Door Sport Sedan Crafted Line AWD	20	27	$40,707	$43,690
IS 250 4-Door Sport Sedan Crafted Line RWD	21	30	$38,614	$41,440
IS 250 4-Door Sport Sedan RWD	21	30	$33,993	$36,550
IS 250C 2-Door Conv	21	30	$40,325	$43,360
IS 350 4-Door Sedan AWD	19	26	$39,339	$42,300
IS 350 4-Door Sedan RWD	19	28	$37,260	$40,065
IS 350C 2-Door Conv	19	27	$44,305	$47,640

Select style

2-Door Coupe C 250 RWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
C-Class 2-Door Coupe C 250 RWD	22	31	$36,642	$39,400
C-Class 2-Door Coupe C 350 4MATIC	19	27	$42,827	$46,050
C-Class 2-Door Coupe C 350 RWD	20	28	$40,967	$44,050
C-Class 2-Door Coupe C 63 AMG RWD	13	19	$58,590	$63,000
C-Class 4-Door Sedan AMG C 63 RWD	18	25	$59,427	$63,900
C-Class 4-Door Sedan AMG C 63 S RWD	18	25	$66,867	$71,900
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 4MATIC	24	31	$37,572	$40,400
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 Luxury 4MATIC	24	31	$37,572	$40,400
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 Luxury RWD	25	34	$35,712	$38,400
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 RWD	25	34	$35,712	$38,400
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 Sport 4MATIC	24	31	$37,572	$40,400
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 Sport RWD	25	34	$35,712	$38,400
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 400 4MATIC	21	29	$45,189	$48,590

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$36,350

$36,642

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$39,085

$39,400

Monthly Payment Estimate

$651 / month

$657 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.0

Read Our Full Review

8.6

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2015 Lexus IS offers a good blend of comfort, style, technology, and driving dynamics.

Forget this model's recent past; the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class takes a half-step up in size and a full step ahead of its peer set in sophistication -- and it's now one very charming luxury car.

TCC Likes

Much-improved interior design
Bold exterior design
Strong V-6 engine

Knockout good looks inside and out
Excellent steering
Improved interior design

TCC Dislikes

No manual transmission
Hybrid unavailable in the U.S.
Spindle grille can be overpowering for some

Very near the E-Class in price
COMAND infotainment continues to lag
Back seat isn't all that usable

Fuel Economy

City

20 mpg

22 mpg

Highway

27 mpg

31 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Subcompact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Volume (ft³)

90.2

Second Hip Room (in)

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.9

Second Head Room (in)

36.9

35.5

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

53.4

50.3

Front Leg Room (in)

44.8

41.7

Front Hip Room (in)

54.3

Second Leg Room (in)

32.2

Front Head Room (in)

38.2

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

60.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.1

Length, Overall (in)

183.7

180.7

Height, Overall (in)

56.3

54.8

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.1

Wheelbase (in)

110.2

108.7

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

71.3

69.7

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

13.8

11.7

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.6

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.4

11.8

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

17.4

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.4

35.6

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Front Tire Size

P225/45VR17

P225/45HR17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/45VR17

P245/40HR17

Rear Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3649

3538

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7.5

17 X 8.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7.5

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

150

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

185 @ 4800

229 @ 2000

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.5 L/152

1.8 L/110

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

204 @ 6400

201 @ 5500

Engine Type

Premium Unleaded V-6

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.52

4.38

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.10

3.07

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.40

1.92

Trans Type

Drivetrain

All Wheel

Rear Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.71

1.00

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.17

3.42

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.04

2.86

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

1.37

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.58

0.82

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.73

Summary

Vehicle Name

Lexus IS 250

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Body Style

Sedan

Coupe

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Double Wishbone

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Double Wishbone

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

7.6

7.0

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

6.0

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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