2018 Lexus RC vs 2018 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2018 Lexus RC

2018 Mercedes-Benz C Class

Select style

RC 300 AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
RC RC 300 AWD	18	24	$40,298	$43,330
RC RC 300 F Sport AWD	18	24	$40,298	$43,330
RC RC 300 F Sport RWD	22	32	$37,795	$40,640
RC RC 300 RWD	22	32	$37,795	$40,640
RC RC 350 AWD	18	24	$42,534	$45,735
RC RC 350 F Sport AWD	18	24	$42,534	$45,735
RC RC 350 F Sport RWD	20	28	$40,520	$43,570
RC RC 350 RWD	20	28	$40,520	$43,570
RC F RWD	16	25	$60,126	$64,650

Select style

AMG C 43 4MATIC Convertible

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Convertible	19	26	$56,544	$60,800
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupe	20	27	$51,987	$55,900
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Sedan	20	27	$49,662	$53,400
C-Class AMG C 63 Convertible	17	22	$68,355	$73,500
C-Class AMG C 63 Coupe	17	23	$62,775	$67,500
C-Class AMG C 63 S Convertible	17	22	$75,795	$81,500
C-Class AMG C 63 S Coupe	17	23	$70,215	$75,500
C-Class AMG C 63 S Sedan	18	24	$68,541	$73,700
C-Class AMG C 63 Sedan	18	24	$61,473	$66,100
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Convertible	22	29	$49,476	$53,200
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Coupe	22	30	$42,036	$45,200
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Sedan	23	32	$39,293	$42,250
C-Class C 300 Convertible	22	29	$47,616	$51,200
C-Class C 300 Coupe	22	30	$40,176	$43,200
C-Class C 300 Sedan	24	33	$37,433	$40,250
C-Class C 350e Sedan	N/A	N/A	$44,547	$47,900

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$40,298

$56,544

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$43,330

$60,800

Monthly Payment Estimate

$722 / month

$1013 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.2

Read Our Full Review

7.5

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The Lexus RC coupes step gradually from luxury liners to engaging sport coupes.

Very expensive and still not very large, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class nonetheless leads its luxury niche with fabulous style and fantastic power and grip.

TCC Likes

Distinctive looks
Well-trimmed interior
Very comfortable front seats

Coupe, convertible, or sedan
A great-looking family
Powertrains range from great to GREAT

TCC Dislikes

Automatic-only
Gas mileage isn’t impressive
Sluggish turbo-4 acceleration

Automatic-only
From $$ to $$$$
Tight rear seats

Fuel Economy

City

18 mpg

19 mpg

Highway

24 mpg

26 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Subcompact Cars

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Leg Room (in)

27.3

Front Head Room (in)

38.8

Passenger Volume (ft³)

Second Hip Room (in)

44.9

Front Shoulder Room (in)

54.7

54.8

Second Head Room (in)

34.8

35.6

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

50.8

51.7

Front Leg Room (in)

45.4

Front Hip Room (in)

53.9

Exterior Dimensions

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

72.4

71.3

Track Width, Front (in)

62.2

62.1

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.3

Length, Overall (in)

184.8

184.9

Height, Overall (in)

55.1

55.4

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.8

61.2

Wheelbase (in)

107.5

111.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

10.4

8.8

Brakes

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

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.2

12.6

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)

34.8

36.8

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

STDTR

Front Tire Size

P235/45VR18

P225/45HR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

STDTR

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P235/45VR18

P245/40HR18

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3891

4145

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 8

18 X 7.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 8

18 X 8.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

180

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

236 @ 4800

384 @ 2000

Engine Order Code

Displacement

3.5 L/211

3.0 L/183

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

260 @ 6600

362 @ 5500

Engine Type

Premium Unleaded V-6

Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6

Fuel System

Port/Direct Injection

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.58

1.00

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 Drive

All Wheel

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.71

1.21

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.17

4.93

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.04

3.24

Trans Order Code

421

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

1.64

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.86

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.72

Summary

Vehicle Name

Lexus RC

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Body Style

Coupe

4MATIC Cabriolet

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front

Double Wishbone

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Double Wishbone

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Emissions

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

8.4

8.0

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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