Compare the2026 Lexus ESVS 2026 Mercedes CLA EQ

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Lexus ES has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CLA EQ doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Lexus ES’ rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mercedes CLA EQ 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 EQ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Warranty

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the ES 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the CLA EQ. 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 EQ ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

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

Reliability

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.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPGe
ES
	FWD	19" Wheels Electric Motor	135 city/118 hwy
		21" Wheels Electric Motor	129 city/112 hwy
CLA EQ
	RWD	250+ Electric Motor	127 city/124 hwy
		250+ Electric Motor	112 city/105 hwy

Transmission

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 EQ doesn’t offer a CVT.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the ES has larger tires than the CLA EQ (235/55R19 vs. 205/55R17). The ES’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CLA EQ (235/55R19 vs. 225/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ES has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CLA 250+ EQ. The ES’ optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the CLA EQ.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES’ wheelbase is 6.3 inches longer than on the CLA EQ (116.1 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the ES is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 4.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CLA EQ.

Chassis

The Lexus ES may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 500 pounds less than the Mercedes CLA EQ.

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 EQ doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The ES has .8 inches more rear headroom, 7.1 inches more rear legroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the CLA EQ.

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

Cargo Capacity

The ES has a much larger trunk than the CLA EQ (17.4 vs. 14.3 cubic feet).

Servicing Ease

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.

Ergonomics

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 EQ 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 EQ 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 EQ doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Both the ES and the CLA EQ have standard heated front seats. 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 EQ.

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 EQ 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 EQ.

Both the ES and the CLA EQ 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 EQ.

The ES has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the CLA EQ.

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 EQ.

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 EQ, and only charges one device.

Recommendations

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

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