2021 Lexus RC vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2021 Lexus RC

2021 Mercedes-Benz C Class

Select style

RC 300 AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
RC RC 300 AWD	19	26	$41,766	$44,910
RC RC 300 F SPORT AWD	19	26	$45,445	$48,865
RC RC 300 F SPORT RWD	21	31	$43,423	$46,690
RC RC 300 RWD	21	31	$39,263	$42,220
RC RC 350 AWD	19	26	$44,002	$47,315
RC RC 350 F SPORT AWD	19	26	$47,644	$51,230
RC RC 350 F SPORT RWD	20	28	$46,146	$49,620
RC RC 350 RWD	20	28	$41,991	$45,150
RC F RC F RWD	16	24	$61,359	$65,975
RC F RC F Track RWD	16	24	$90,392	$97,200

Select style

AMG C 43 4MATIC Convertible

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Convertible	19	27	$61,570	$65,500
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupe	19	27	$55,460	$59,000
C-Class AMG C 43 4MATIC Sedan	18	27	$53,110	$56,500
C-Class AMG C 63 Convertible	17	25	$73,320	$78,000
C-Class AMG C 63 Coupe	17	26	$66,411	$70,650
C-Class AMG C 63 S Convertible	17	25	$80,464	$85,600
C-Class AMG C 63 S Coupe	17	26	$73,555	$78,250
C-Class AMG C 63 S Sedan	17	26	$71,628	$76,200
C-Class AMG C 63 Sedan	17	26	$64,484	$68,600
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Convertible	22	30	$53,298	$56,700
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Coupe	23	32	$46,248	$49,200
C-Class C 300 4MATIC Sedan	23	33	$40,984	$43,600
C-Class C 300 Convertible	23	31	$51,418	$54,700
C-Class C 300 Coupe	24	33	$44,368	$47,200
C-Class C 300 Sedan	23	35	$39,104	$41,600

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$41,766

$61,570

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$44,910

$65,500

Monthly Payment Estimate

$749 / month

$1092 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.0

Read Our Full Review

7.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2021 Lexus RC sports coupe dials up the fun while still being affordable.

Svelte, sporty, and somewhat understated, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class should be at the top of your compact luxury sedan shopping list.

TCC Likes

F Sport looks
Powertrain choices
Well-equipped

Ferocious AMGs
Coupe, convertible, or sedan
And not an ugly one in the bunch

TCC Dislikes

Rear seat best when folded down
F Sport cancels RC F
Odd-duck turbo-4

So, so much money
Small back seat and trunk
We’d like a wagon

Fuel Economy

City

19 mpg

Highway

26 mpg

27 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Subcompact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Volume (ft³)

83.8

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

47.8

Front Leg Room (in)

45.4

Front Hip Room (in)

53.9

Second Leg Room (in)

27.3

Front Head Room (in)

38.8

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

62.2

63.1

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.3

3.6

Length, Overall (in)

185

184.8

Height, Overall (in)

55.1

55.3

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.3

Wheelbase (in)

107.5

111.8

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

72.4

71.3

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

38.4

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Front Tire Size

P235/45VR18

P225/45HR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

R02

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P235/45VR18

P245/40HR18

Rear Tire Order Code

R02

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3891

4204

Wheels

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

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 8

18 X 7.5

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

180

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 Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.71

1.21

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.22

4.80

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

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.58

1.00

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.72

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.86

Summary

Vehicle Name

Lexus RC

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Body Style

Coupe

4MATIC Cabriolet

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

8.1

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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