2021 Lexus ES 250 vs. 2021 Mercedes C300
2021 Lexus ES 250 vs. 2021 Mercedes C 300
Overview
We understand that researching your next vehicle can be overwhelming. However, your choices have now narrowed to a four-door luxury sedan. You've decided that only two worthy contenders remain: the 2021 Lexus ES 250 and the Mercedes C 300. Let's take a look at both models to see how they compare.
Exterior (Overall Design)
Going off first impressions, the ES 250 is a neck-breaker in the complete sense of the expression. Living up to the seductive silhouette Lexus is known for, this model's recently updated slinky lines beg a second look. Effortlessly enticing, it wouldn't be a stretch to describe the ES 250 as the little black dress of sedans. It provides plenty of room for everyone and measures a whole 11 inches longer than the C 300. The Mercedes C 300 is not a slouch, either, of course. Where the Lexus suggests sophistication, the C 300 brings a businesslike brusqueness with rounded, clean lines.
Interior Features
Both the ES 250 and the C 300 offer the expected amenities that we associate with a luxury vehicle. Features such as heated seats and steering wheels, power seats and windows, and modern infotainment systems and screens come standard. The ES 250 brings a wireless charger, a nice bonus for those tired of wrestling with cumbersome charging cords. As far as passenger legroom goes, there's no contest. Boasting over four more legroom inches in the second row than the C 300, the ES 250 keeps passengers as comfortable as the driver. For a luxury price tag, drivers and riders expect a luxury experience, and the ES 250 delivers flawlessly. We can't forget about cargo capacity, where the ES 250 once again claims a win with four more cubic feet of space than the C 300.
Engines
Both vehicles run four-cylinder engines, but under the hood of the ES 250 lies a respectable 2.5-liter engine, slightly larger than the 2.0-liter engine in the C 300. The cars perform very closely in fuel efficiency tests, with the ES 250 sneaking ahead by a few miles for city use. It is worth noting that the C 300 can only take premium 91 fuel, while the ES 250 can run fine and dandy on regular 87. It may only be a few dollars per fill-up, but it will add up to a significant difference over time.
Safety Features
As far as safety goes, Lexus has long had a reputation for being the maker of exceptionally safe automobiles, as proven in head-on and side crash tests. With ten airbags, parking assist, and rear pedestrian detector, they are maintaining their legacy with the ES 250. The ES 250 also comes standard with advanced driver assistance, which brings pedestrian and bicycle assist, lane-keeping assist, sign detection, and roadside assistance. The C 300 is certainly not an unsafe car, though, with eight airbags that offer 10-way protection. However, somewhat surprisingly, to have any driver assistance features on your Mercedes, you must purchase them. We love the cab and airbags' high safety rating on the C 300, but not being charged for the driver assistance features that come standard on the Lexus.