2021 Lexus ES vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

For the 2021 model year, the Lexus ES lineup expanded to include the new ES 250 series of cars. All models boasted a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive (AWD), priced on par with the equivalent ES 350 that came with a 3.5-liter V6 and front-wheel drive (FWD). Various trim levels like Standard, F Sport, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury were available for both the ES 250 and ES 350.

Lexus also offered the ES 300h—a gas-electric hybrid version of the sedan—adding a $1,910 premium for significantly better fuel economy. The ES 300h came in Standard, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury trims.

In 2021, Lexus integrated important safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as standard for all trims except the base model. The limited-production Black Line Special Edition of the ES 350 also made its debut, featuring unique design elements.

Pricing across the ES lineup ranged from $40,000 to $50,910, plus a $1,025 destination charge. The ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition, equipped with extra-cost paint, triple-beam LED headlights, illuminated door sill plates, and a slew of other enhancements, totaled a hefty MSRP of $54,070, including destination charges.

The F Sport trim enhanced the car's design with 19-inch gray-finish wheels, unique front and rear stylings, a rear spoiler, aluminum interior trim, F Sport instrumentation, and a black headliner. The Black Line Special Edition sported black wheels, black side mirrors, a black rear spoiler, and a black and white interior. Lexus manufactured just 1,500 units featuring a matching two-piece Zero Halliburton luggage set.

Despite its dramatic grille requiring an adjustment period, the ES was a stellar-looking sedan. The black grille and toned-down chrome of the F Sport trim added a particular allure. Inside, the striking black and white contrast of the test car’s interior harmonized perfectly with its dramatic design elements, showcasing Lexus’ commitment to quality materials and high design.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class offered a different but equally captivating look. The exterior styling elegantly brought together elements from other Mercedes models. The front end mirrored the CLA-Class, while the rear end and thin taillights echoed the S-Class’s sharp design language. A massive Mercedes three-pointed star logo on the grille added to the car’s instantly recognizable appeal.

Mercedes' designers crafted the C-Class with cab-rearward proportions, emphasizing its RWD platform with a long hood and short rear deck. LED headlights and taillights were standard, but buyers could opt for the advanced Digital Light system, which adjusted to follow curves and could project warning icons.

Inside, the C-Class strived to emulate the flagship S-Class. Its freestanding touchscreen and instrument cluster, prominent air vents, and intricate speaker grilles for the optional Burmester audio system, reflected the S-Class’s sophisticated interior design. The club-styled ambiance lighting, with 64 customizable colors, was another standout feature, elevating the in-cabin experience.

Offering several comfort features, the interior space of the C-Class made a strong case for luxury over mainstream brands. One caveat was the standard MBTex synthetic leather, though Nappa leather seats were available on higher trims.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 enjoyed a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels. Drivers could switch between Normal, Eco, and Sport driving modes. With the adaptive damping suspension upgrade, Sport+ and Custom driving mode selections were added. The ES 350 could accelerate to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, and the EPA rated its fuel economy at 25 mpg combined; however, during testing, it averaged 22.9 mpg.

Behind the wheel, the ES 350 F Sport felt quicker than its 0-60 mph time suggested. The car’s front tires could easily break loose, extending the time needed to reach high speed. Lexus hinted at a need for a torque-vectoring AWD system for better handling. Despite some slight noise and a desire for quicker steering response, the ES 350 F Sport impressed with its firm ride, flat cornering stance, and overall athleticism.

Conversely, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The engine worked with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that provided temporary boosts of up to 20 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes claimed a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 130 mph.

A sportier Mercedes-AMG C43 version was confirmed, using a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine from the SL-Class sports car, producing 402 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The AMG model could sprint to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds.

During testing, the C300 4Matic felt powerful but was plagued by “turbo lag” and some rough shifts. Although the transmission could shift rapidly, it held on to gears too long in automatic mode, resolved by using paddle shifters. Despite these hiccups, the C300 delivered luxury-grade ride quality, muting bumps and potholes reasonably well. Dynamically, the C-Class presented decent fun on twisty roads but required deliberate maneuvering to perform well, lacking the agility of top sports sedans.

The Lexus ES 350 F Sport featured sport-bolstered front seats with 10-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. NuLuxe synthetic leather mimicked real leather convincingly, with long bottom cushions ensuring excellent thigh support. Rear passengers also enjoyed ample foot and legroom, a comfortable seating angle, and conveniences like rear air conditioning vents and an available power rear window sunshade—even though a panoramic glass roof was missing.

Visibility was excellent thanks to thin windshield pillars and large side mirrors, and while storage solutions were somewhat limited, they were thoughtfully designed. The trunk offered 13.9 cubic feet of space, facilitating hands-free opening and closing.

The new generation 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, only available as a sedan, sported a longer and wider body compared to its predecessor, translating to more interior space. Headroom increased by 0.1 inch in front and 0.4 inch in the back, with rear legroom growing by 0.8 inch. The new dimensions positioned the C-Class as a leader in front-seat headroom and rear-seat legroom within its class. Despite minor drawbacks like dashboard glare and inconveniently placed wireless charging pads, the interior oozed luxury, mingling comfort with practicality.

Regarding cargo space, the C-Class outshone its competitors with a 17.9 cubic feet trunk. The wide trunk opening eased loading and unloading processes, and the split-folding rear bench enhanced the storage capabilities, although Mercedes didn’t disclose a specific folded-seat cargo-space figure.

The 2021 Lexus ES offered a somewhat flawed infotainment experience with its touchpad system. Users found it cumbersome to navigate as they needed to keep their eyes on the screen to control the cursor, making frequent overshooting a common issue. Despite this, Lexus excelled in other tech areas.

Climate and primary stereo controls were separate and easily accessible, with Lexus incorporating a handy volume and tuning knob. The dynamic voice command technology was exceptionally efficient, often rendering the touchpad unnecessary.

The ES came standard with an 8-inch display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, HD Radio, and various connected services, with optional upgrades such as a 12.3-inch widescreen display and high-end Mark Levinson sound system.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class boasted an advanced infotainment setup inspired by the S-Class, packing a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 11.9-inch touchscreen angled toward the driver. The MBUX system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard across all trims.

Mid-tier models enhanced the experience with a Burmester 3D surround-sound system, and the Pinnacle trim added a head-up display and augmented-reality navigation. The “Zero Layer” setup allowed for simultaneous function display, simplifying access to features. The voice recognition system and touch controls on the steering wheel were intuitive and easy to use.

The augmented-reality navigation system on higher trims provided clear directions using front-camera feeds overlaid with arrows, making it easier to navigate than conventional systems.

Every 2021 Lexus ES included the Lexus Safety System 2.0 (LSS 2.0), which bundled several advanced driving aids. These included forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, a road-sign recognition system, and automatic high-beam headlights. Lexus also made blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all but the base trim. Both the IIHS and NHTSA gave the Lexus ES high safety ratings: it was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and scored a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

While crash-test ratings for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class were yet to be published at the time, the 2021 model was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. The 2022 model came equipped with a comprehensive suite of ADAS features, such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a driver-attention monitor, and the Pre-Safe system, which prepped the car for potential collisions. Optional features included sophisticated lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, and two levels of adaptive cruise control. An innovative Car-to-X communication system also enhanced safety by sharing real-time data on road conditions with other networked vehicles.