2021 Lexus IS vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2021 Lexus IS

#9 in Luxury Small Sedans

2020 Mercedes-Benz C Class

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IS 300 AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
IS IS 300 AWD	19	26	$38,130	$41,000
IS IS 300 RWD	21	31	$36,270	$39,000
IS IS 350 F SPORT AWD	19	26	$41,757	$44,900
IS IS 350 F SPORT RWD	20	28	$39,897	$42,900

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AMG C 43 4MATIC Convertible

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Convertible	18	25	$60,865	$64,750
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupe	19	27	$54,990	$58,500
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Sedan	19	27	$52,593	$55,950
C-Class AMG C 63 Convertible	17	24	$72,662	$77,300
C-Class AMG C 63 Coupe	17	26	$65,706	$69,900
C-Class AMG C 63 S Convertible	17	24	$79,806	$84,900
C-Class AMG C 63 S Coupe	17	26	$72,850	$77,500
C-Class AMG C 63 S Sedan	18	27	$71,158	$75,700
C-Class AMG C 63 Sedan	18	27	$64,014	$68,100
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Convertible	21	29	$52,593	$55,950
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Coupe	21	30	$45,073	$47,950
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Sedan	23	33	$40,796	$43,400
C-Class C 300 Convertible	21	29	$50,713	$53,950
C-Class C 300 Coupe	22	31	$43,193	$45,950
C-Class C 300 Sedan	24	35	$38,916	$41,400

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$38,130

$60,865

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$41,000

$64,750

Monthly Payment Estimate

$683 / month

$1079 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.2

Read Our Full Review

7.3

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2021 Lexus IS doesn’t gain any ground on the more performance-oriented compact sedans, but it’s priced right.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is as gorgeous inside as it is outside, and it has moves to match.

TCC Likes

Improved infotainment access
Sporty steering and handling
Good standard features

Have it your way body styles
All of which are gorgeous
Strong powertrain lineup

TCC Dislikes

AWD hump in driver’s footwell
Competition does it better
Recycled powertrains

Manual would be nice
Hefty pricetag
Rear-seat and cargo space just so-so

Fuel Economy

City

19 mpg

18 mpg

Highway

26 mpg

25 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Subcompact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Volume (ft³)

90.2

Front Hip Room (in)

54.3

Second Leg Room (in)

32.2

Front Head Room (in)

38.2

38.8

Passenger Capacity

Second Hip Room (in)

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.9

54.8

Second Head Room (in)

36.9

35.6

Second Shoulder Room (in)

53.4

51.7

Front Leg Room (in)

44.8

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.3

Wheelbase (in)

110.2

111.8

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

72.4

71.3

Track Width, Front (in)

62.2

63.1

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.5

3.6

Length, Overall (in)

185.4

184.8

Height, Overall (in)

56.7

55.4

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

10.8

8.8

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.7

12.6

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.2

14.2

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

17.4

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.4

39.7

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P235/45VR18

P245/40HR18

Rear Tire Order Code

R02

Front Tire Size

P235/45VR18

P225/45HR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

R02

Spare Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3847

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 8.5

18 X 7.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 8.5

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

236 @ 2000

384 @ 2500

Engine Order Code

Displacement

3.5 L/211

3.0 L/183

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

260 @ 6600

385 @ 6100

Engine Type

Premium Unleaded V-6

Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6

Fuel System

Port/Direct Injection

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

5.35

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.77

3.07

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.40

2.25

Trans Type

Drivetrain

All Wheel

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.71

1.21

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.17

4.80

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.04

3.24

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

1.64

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.58

1.00

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.86

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.72

Summary

Vehicle Name

Lexus IS

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Body Style

Sedan

4MATIC Cabriolet

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Double Wishbone

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Double Wishbone

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Emissions

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

8.0

8.5

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

180

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

2021 Lexus IS

2021 Lexus IS arrives soon; 2020s sold out
Lease: From $349 for 36 months
Rebate: Up to $2,000 cash + $1,500 loyalty
Finance: From 0.9% APR for 60 months

Get Your Price

2020 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2021 C-Class is available
Discounts: Up to $4,500 off (2020 sedan)
Lease: $439/mo. (2020 sedan)
Finance: 1.99% APR for 36 mo. (2020)

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