Compare the2025 Mercedes E-Class SedanVS 2025 Lexus LS

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the E-Class Sedan are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The LS doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The E-Class Sedan has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The LS doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mercedes E-Class Sedan achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Lexus LS has not been tested.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The E-Class Sedan has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The LS doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the E-Class Sedan and the LS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

There are over 57 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the E-Class Sedan’s warranty.

The E 450 Sedan’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 21 more horsepower (375 vs. 354) and 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 350) than the LS 500h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the E 450 Sedan 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the LS 500 3.4 turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class Sedan gets better mileage than the LS:

Regardless of its engine, the E-Class Sedan’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the LS 500h, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes E-Class Sedan higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Lexus LS (4 to 6). This means the E-Class Sedan produces up to 13.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the LS every 15,000 miles.

The E-Class Sedan’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The LS doesn’t offer launch control.

The E-Class Sedan stops much shorter than the LS:

The E-Class Sedan’s 245/35R21 front and 275/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LS 500 F Sport’s 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the E-Class Sedan has standard 21-inch wheels. The LS’ largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The E-Class Sedan’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The LS doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The E 350 Sedan 4MATIC handles at .93 G’s, while the LS 500h AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The E 450 Sedan executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the LS 500h AWD (25.8 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 27 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

The Mercedes E-Class Sedan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 700 pounds less than the Lexus LS.

The E-Class Sedan is 11.2 inches shorter than the LS, making the E-Class Sedan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The E-Class Sedan has .5 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more rear headroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the LS.

The E-Class Sedan’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LS doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the E-Class Sedan to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The LS doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The E-Class Sedan’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The LS’ automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The Mercedes E-Class comes in sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Lexus LS isn’t available as a station wagon.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mercedes E-Class Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lexus LS isn't recommended.

The E450 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 2 more times in the last 8 years. The LS has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

Motor Trend selected the E-Class Sedan as their 2025 Car of the Year. The LS has never been chosen.

The Mercedes E-Class outsold the Lexus LS by almost seven to one during 2024.