2021 Lexus IS vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2021 Lexus IS made a bold statement about its driver with its athletic proportions and great stance. It looked like it was moving even when standing still, thanks to its elegant design, which included a long 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 and compact appearance. The new spindle grille with diamond mesh and narrow headlights gave the IS an assertive look. 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 The interior matched the exterior with bold, assertive choices and a modern aesthetic, although the analog clock felt outdated.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained its fantastic look from the previous year’s complete makeover. The S-Class, with its roots dating back to 1954, represented the seventh generation of production. The exterior was sleek, with a long distance between the front axle and dashboard, adding to its elegance. The proud Mercedes-Benz grille and star hood ornament expressed its lineage. Inside, the dashboard featured a waterfall of open-pore wood trim and a 12.8-inch touchscreen in the center stack. The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel was separate from the infotainment screen, allowing for distinct functions. The cabin was dressed in high-quality materials, meticulously fitted and assembled.

The 2021 Lexus IS brought the sport to the luxury sports sedan category. It was tested and developed at the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama in Japan, debuting the “Lexus Driving Signature” for seamless transitions in various driving situations. The IS 300 RWD had a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The IS 300 AWD had a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 260 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The IS 350 models had the same V6 engine, tuned to 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. RWD models had an eight-speed automatic transmission, while 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 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped for both weekday commuting and weekend pleasure driving. The S500 had a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid engine with EQ Boost, adding up to 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque to the engine’s 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The S580 had a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine with the same EQ Boost system. Both models had a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD. The S500 weighed 4,740 pounds and went from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, while the S580 weighed 4,775 pounds and did it in 4.4 seconds. The S500 delivered up to 21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined, while the S580 was rated at 16 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined.

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 and included heating and ventilation. The IS came with perforated NuLuxe fabric, which was eco-friendly, lightweight, and easier to clean than premium 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-Benz S-Class checked all the boxes for an executive sedan. It was roomy and comfortable, with ample storage and cargo space. Second-row passengers had powered sun blinds and a Panorama Sunroof. The 13.8-cubic-foot trunk was lushly carpeted. The cabin had six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply in the second row. The driver and front-row passenger had raid-heating and ventilating active multicontour seats with massage, memory, lumbar support, and comfort headrests. The Luxury Line added a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear armrests, rear-seat heating, electronic rear seats with memory, and the “Energizing Comfort” system. The Executive Line upgraded the rear seats to active multicontour with headrests, occupant restraint protection, and neck and shoulder heating. The S-Class had soft-close doors and a four-year/50,000-mile warranty.

The 2021 Lexus IS offered a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The touchpad remained but was no longer the default option. Lexus Enform Safety Connect, Service Connect, WiFi, and Remote were included with free trial periods. The Navigation Package included Dynamic Navigation and Destination Assist for the first three years. The Mark Levinson 17-speaker, 1,800-watt premium surround-sound audio system was a recommended option, providing superb sound quality and including a CD player.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was brimming with the latest tech. The 12.8-inch OLED screen was the centerpiece, offering superior image quality and energy consumption. The 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel had customizable visual themes. The optional 3D instrument cluster added depth and visual interest. The standard augmented video for navigation superimposed arrows or house numbers over the video of the surroundings. The available augmented reality head-up display projected supplemental instructions onto the windshield. The standard Burmester 3D Surround sound system provided high-fidelity sound, with an available Burmester 4D Surround system adding headrest speakers. The EQ Boost system and available rear-axle steering added maneuverability to the big sedan.

The 2021 Lexus IS had not yet been rated for crashworthiness by the IIHS or NHTSA. It came with the standard Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, which included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign recognition, lane-tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, and intelligent high beams. Other features included vehicle dynamic integrated management, tire pressure monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a backup camera, LED headlamps, taillamps, and running lights, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect with a three-year trial.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was loaded with standard and available safety and advanced driver assistance systems. Significant features included Magic Vision Control, active distance assist Distronic adaptive cruise control, active stop-and-go assist, active steering assist, active brake assist with cross-traffic function, active speed limit assist, active blind-spot assist, active lane-keeping assist, active parking assist with Parktronic, Pre-Safe Plus with Pre-Safe Sound, and Pre-Safe Impulse Side. The S-Class also had car-to-x communication, rear-passenger airbags, rear-seat belt bag, and easy adjust headrests with occupant restraint protection.