2021 Lexus IS vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2021 Lexus IS made a bold statement about its driver with its athletic proportions and great stance. The design captured motion even while standing still, with an elegant distance between the front axle and dashboard. The fast roofline and the kick-up of the window base at the back of the passenger door added to its sporty look. The new spindle grille with diamond mesh and narrow headlights gave the IS an assertive squint. Inside, the dash was tastefully simple, with a retro hi-fi feel to the center stack. The interior matched the exterior with bold, assertive choices and a modern aesthetic, though the analog clock felt outdated.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, particularly the AMG E53 Cabriolet, looked sensational with its matte-finish paint, premium leather, and carbon fiber trim. Modern Mercedes designs had a purity to them, and the AMG styling, larger wheels, convertible top, and matte-blue paint finish made the E53 Cabriolet stand out. Inside, the high-resolution digital displays, glow-in-the-dark air vents, Burmester speaker grilles, and soft leather exuded luxury. The E53 Cabriolet was a car for wealth flaunters, looking and feeling like nothing but luxury.

The 2021 Lexus IS brought the sport to the luxury sports sedan category, tested and developed at the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama. The IS 300 RWD had a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The IS 300 AWD had a 3.5-liter V6 with 260 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, while the IS 350 models had the same V6 tuned to 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. RWD models had an eight-speed automatic transmission, and AWD models had a six-speed automatic. The IS had a top speed of 143 mph, with 0-60 mph times ranging from 6.9 seconds for the IS 300 RWD to 5.6 seconds for the IS 350 RWD. Fuel efficiency varied, with the IS 300 RWD rated at 21/31/25 mpg, and the IS 350 AWD at 19/26/22 mpg.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet had a 3.0-liter turbo-six engine with EQ Boost mild-hybrid technology, generating 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The AMG Speedshift nine-speed automatic transmission and AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD system provided robust performance. The E53 Cabriolet had AMG-tuned air suspension and performance exhaust, with optional 20-inch wheels and summer performance tires. The car's dual personality allowed it to be a quiet cruiser or a firm, ready performer on mountain roads. The E53 Cabriolet was suitable for three-season, top-down driving, with heated features and AWD for winter driving.

The 2021 Lexus IS had a driver-centered focus with a great driver position and comfortable, supportive seats. The F Sport trim's bolstered seat was standard in IS 350 models, with heating and ventilation. The IS used perforated NuLuxe fabric, a synthetic upholstery that looked and felt like leather. Storage space was ample, with an open cubby, twin cupholders, big door pockets, a decent glovebox, and an under-armrest compartment. The second row was comfortable for two but cramped for three, with legroom negotiated with front-seat occupants. Trunk space was adequate at 10.8 cubic feet, with a temporary spare stored beneath the trunk’s load floor.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet was a true four-passenger convertible, with comfortable seats and an Aircap system to reduce turbulence. Heated seats, a heated steering wheel, rapid-heating front seats, and heated armrests were standard. The Airscarf neck-warming system and sun-reflective leather added to comfort. Ventilated front seats and a triple-layer acoustic soft top helped keep the cabin cool and quiet. The test car had multi-contour front seats with massage and an Air Balance interior fragrance system. With the top raised, the trunk held 9.5 cubic feet of cargo, reduced by half with the top dropped.

The 2021 Lexus IS offered a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Lexus Enform services included Safety Connect, Service Connect, WiFi, and Remote, with various trial periods. The Navigation Package included Dynamic Navigation and Destination Assist for three years. The Mark Levinson 17-speaker, 1,800-watt premium surround-sound audio system was a recommended option, providing superb audio quality.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system with two 12.3-inch screens. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, WiFi service, and an augmented reality video overlay for navigation. A head-up display and Burmester surround-sound audio system were available. The MBUX system was complex yet user-friendly, with multiple interaction methods and customization options. The digital assistant could be accidentally activated, especially in a convertible with the top down.

The 2021 Lexus IS had not been rated by IIHS or NHTSA but was expected to have good ratings. Standard Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 included a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and intelligent high beams. Other features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a backup camera, LED lights, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect with a three-year trial.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class had standard forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The E-Class Cabriolet featured pop-up rollbars for rollover protection. Pre Safe and Pre Safe Sound were standard, preparing the cabin and protecting ears during a collision. Active Parking Assist, a surround-view camera system, and rain-sensing wipers with Magic Vision Control were also standard. The Driver Assistance Package included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, front automatic braking, and more. The test car had this package, providing impressive driver aids.