When it comes to luxury sedans, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus should be at the top of your list. The C 300 and the ES 350 in particular, are two of the most affordable options on the market. They are stylish, sporty, comfortable, convenient, and luxurious, offering everything you could want in a car without the pain in the neck of an inflated sticker price. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Lexus ES have much in common, but they are far from identical.
Under the hood, the classic question of forced induction versus displacement comes into play. The C 300 houses a 2.0L turbo I4. The ES 350, a 3.5L V6. With the V6 in the Lexus, you get more horsepower at high RPMS, but with the turbo 4-cylinder in the Mercedes-Benz, more torque is your reward. Although we can't argue with the power output of the V6, the turbocharged I4 provides more instantaneous torque and gets better gas mileage at the same time. Then, when paired with the 7-speed transmission, you get a complete package of performance and efficiency.
2017 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Sedan |
VS |
2017 Lexus ES 350 Sedan |
2.0L Turbo I4 | Engine | 3.5L V6 |
241 horsepower / 273 lb-ft of torque | Power | 268 horsepower / 248 lb-ft of torque |
6.0 seconds | 0-60 Time | 7.1 seconds |
24 city / 34 highway mpg | Fuel Economy | 21 city / 30 highway mpg |
On the outside, you will find that the Lexus is roughly nine inches longer than the Mercedes-Benz, but they are less than an inch apart in width and height. The lengthened wheelbase on the ES provides drivers with a little more cargo room in the trunk, but it also diminishes the handling stability of the compact sedan.
When you get behind the wheel, the C-Class shines even brighter with a redesigned interior. The floating LCD on the dashboard provides infotainment without getting in the way and it is all controllable through the COMAND® navigation pad, the steering wheel, or voice control. The Lexus is not far behind with a dual moon roof, ample leg room, and Lexus Enform®, but with more driving modes and the extra safety features in the Mercedes-Benz take luxury to a new level. If you have any questions about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, come to Mercedes-Benz of Arrowhead today to get behind the wheel.