2016 Lexus RC vs 2016 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2016 Lexus RC

2016 Mercedes-Benz C Class

Select style

2-Door Coupe

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
RC 200t 2-Door Coupe	22	32	$37,196	$39,995
RC 300 2-Door Coupe	19	26	$39,627	$42,610
RC 350 2-Door Coupe AWD	19	26	$41,863	$45,015
RC 350 2-Door Coupe RWD	19	28	$39,787	$42,780
RC F 2-Door Coupe	16	25	$58,408	$62,805

Select style

4-Door Sedan AMG C 63 RWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
C-Class 4-Door Sedan AMG C 63 RWD	18	25	$60,683	$65,250
C-Class 4-Door Sedan AMG C 63 S RWD	18	25	$68,123	$73,250
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 4MATIC	24	31	$38,084	$40,950
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 Luxury 4MATIC	24	31	$38,084	$40,950
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 Luxury RWD	25	34	$36,224	$38,950
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 RWD	25	34	$36,224	$38,950
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 Sport 4MATIC	24	31	$38,084	$40,950
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 Sport RWD	25	34	$36,224	$38,950
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 350e Luxury RWD	N/A	N/A	$42,306	$45,490
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 350e RWD	N/A	N/A	$42,306	$45,490
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 450 AMG 4MATIC	21	29	$47,244	$50,800

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$37,196

$60,683

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$39,995

$65,250

Monthly Payment Estimate

$667 / month

$1088 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.2

Read Our Full Review

9.0

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2016 Lexus RC adds more low-end models, but it's still the racy RC F that comes closes to the Teutonic performance titans.

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is one very charming luxury car; in AMG trim, it's risen above and beyond Bavarian levels of handling.

TCC Likes

A distinctive-looking Lexus
Very plush, sporty interior
Excellent front seats

Knockout good looks inside and out
Excellent steering
Improved interior design

TCC Dislikes

Punchy front end throws a curve ball on the design
No manual gearbox
Unimpressive mileage (RC 350)

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

Fuel Economy

City

22 mpg

18 mpg

Highway

32 mpg

25 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Subcompact Cars

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Volume (ft³)

Second Hip Room (in)

44.9

Front Shoulder Room (in)

54.7

55.3

Second Head Room (in)

34.8

37.1

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

50.8

Front Leg Room (in)

45.4

41.7

Front Hip Room (in)

53.9

Second Leg Room (in)

27.3

35.2

Front Head Room (in)

40.9

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

62.2

63.3

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.3

Length, Overall (in)

184.8

187

Height, Overall (in)

54.9

56.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.8

60.9

Wheelbase (in)

107.5

111.8

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

72.4

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

10.4

12.6

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.2

15.4

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.2

14.2

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)

34.2

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Front Tire Size

P235/45VR18

P245/40ZR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P235/45VR18

P265/40ZR18

Rear Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3737

3856

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 8.5

18 X 9.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 8

18 X 8.5

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

180

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

258 @ 1650

479 @ 1750

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0 L/122

4.0 L/243

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

241 @ 5800

469 @ 5500

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8

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)

4.60

4.34

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.69

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.13

2.82

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.86

1.92

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.23

1.00

Trans Description Cont. Again

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.82

0.73

Reverse Ratio (:1)

4.06

3.42

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.72

2.89

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.46

1.37

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.82

Summary

Vehicle Name

Lexus RC 200t

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Body Style

Coupe

Sedan

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

6.8

8.8

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

4.0

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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