Compare the2026 Mercedes E-Class SedanVS 2026 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, around view monitors, 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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the E-Class Sedan second among upper midsize premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The LS isn’t in the top three in its category.

As tested in Car and Driver the E 450 Sedan 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lexus LS:

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

Regenerative brakes improve the E-Class Sedan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The LS doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the E-Class Sedan’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The LS doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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). 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.

For better stopping power the E 450 Sedan’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the LS:

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’ 45 series 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 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The E-Class Sedan’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The LS doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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 500 AWD Heritage Edition pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the E 350 Sedan’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the LS AWD’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Mercedes E-Class Sedan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 750 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 2.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LS (100 vs. 97.6).

The E-Class Sedan has .5 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 1.2 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.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the E-Class Sedan to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The LS doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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.

The E-Class Sedan is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The LS doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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 9 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 13 to one during 2025.