Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Lexus IS 250 04/14/2011
Choosing between a Lexus and a Mercedes isn't a bad problem to have by any means, but that can only serve to make the decision more difficult. To help ease the process along, we compared two models, the Mercedes C-Class and Lexus IS 250, to see which offered drivers more bang for their buck.
The Mercedes is the more expensive of the two vehicles, retailing for just shy of $34,000, while the Lexus sports a $32,645 sticker. Mercedes only offers a 4 year/50,000 mile warranty, while Lexus covers the IS 250 for 6 years/70,000 miles.
We prefer the C-Class under the hood, as it offers 228 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The Lexus only reaches 204 hp and 185 lb-ft. Fuel economy is about even between the two models.
On the interior, we give the edge to the Lexus, as it comes with keyless ignition, an iPod dock and the Enform roadside assistance system. That said, the Mercedes does have a built in hard drive and premium sound system as options, although these will only drive the price higher.
In the end, we think the Lexus offers better value. If drivers don't mind sacrificing a bit of power, they get a better warranty and features for a lower price.