Compare the2026 Lexus ESVS 2026 Mercedes CLA

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The ES offers optional Auto Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The CLA doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The ES’ standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the CLA.

The Lexus ES’ rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mercedes CLA does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the ES and the CLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Lexus ES weighs 419 to 1356 pounds more than the Mercedes CLA. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the ES 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the CLA. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the CLA ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The ES’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CLA’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 44 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 21st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 103 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 19th.

The ES 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 23 more horsepower (244 vs. 221) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The ES 500e’s standard electric motors produces 117 more horsepower (338 vs. 221) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the ES running on electricity gets better mileage than the CLA:

The ES can travel with zero emissions for 272 to 307 miles (dependent on model). The CLA can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lexus ES uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CLA requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The ES has a gallon more fuel capacity than the CLA (14.5 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The ES 350h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CLA doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the ES’ brake rotors are larger than those on the CLA:

The ES’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CLA are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the ES has larger tires than the CLA (235/55R19 vs. 225/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ES has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the CLA. The ES’ optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the CLA.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES’ wheelbase is 8.7 inches longer than on the CLA (116.1 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the ES is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CLA.

The ES’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (54.8% to 45.2%) than the CLA’s (60% to 40%). This gives the ES more stable handling and braking.

The ES uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CLA doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The ES has 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear headroom and 6.8 inches more rear legroom than the CLA.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the ES 350e Luxury’s available rear seats recline. The CLA’s rear seats don’t recline.

The ES has a much larger trunk than the CLA (17.4 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the ES has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the ES 350e Luxury, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The CLA doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 26% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 14th.

The ES’ standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the car, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless-Start standard on the CLA only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The ES offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The CLA doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES Luxury to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CLA doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The ES has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the CLA. The ES 350e Luxury also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CLA.

The ES has standard front air conditioned seats and the ES 350e Luxury offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The CLA doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The ES has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the CLA.

Both the ES and the CLA offer available massaging front seats. The ES 350e Luxury also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the CLA.

The Lexus ES has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Mercedes charges extra for Homelink® on the CLA.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus ES has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat for up to two separate devices. Wireless charging costs extra on the CLA, and only charges one device.

The Lexus ES outsold the Mercedes CLA by over five to one during 2025.