Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2014 Mercedes Benz C-Class VS 2014 Lexus GS Near Scottsdale, AZ

The C-Class Sedan’s optional front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The GS Series doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The C-Class Sedan’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The GS Series doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the C-Class Sedan and the GS Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

There are over 58 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the C-Class Sedan’s warranty.

As tested in Motor Trend the C350 Sedan is faster than the GS 450h:

On the EPA test cycle the C-Class Sedan gets better fuel mileage than the GS Series:

The C-Class Sedan stops much shorter than the GS Series:

The C-Class Sedan Luxury’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GS Series’ standard 50 series tires.

The C250 Sedan handles at .90 G’s, while the GS 350 pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The C350 Sedan executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GS 450h (26.1 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 26.9 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

The Mercedes C-Class Sedan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 450 pounds less than the Lexus GS Series.

The C-Class Sedan is 9.9 inches shorter than the GS Series, making the C-Class Sedan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Road & Track, the interior of the C250 Sedan is quieter than the GS 350:

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the C-Class Sedan easier. The C-Class Sedan’s trunk lift-over height is 26.4 inches, while the GS Series’ liftover is 28 inches.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the C-Class Sedan’s trunk lid uses beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The GS Series’ useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The C-Class Sedan’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The GS Series doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

If the windows are left down on the C-Class Sedan the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote (remote must be aimed at door sensor); on a hot day the driver can lower the windows. The driver of the GS Series can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The C-Class Sedan’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The GS Series’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the C-Class Sedan detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The GS Series doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The C-Class Sedan will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The Intellichoice estimates that the C-Class Sedan will retain 49.35% to 50.99% of its original price after five years, while the GS Series only retains 43.1% to 47.17%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the C-Class Sedan is less expensive to operate than the GS Series because typical repairs cost much less on the C-Class Sedan than the GS Series, including $4 less for front brake pads, $251 less for fuel injection and $7 less for front struts.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes C-Class Sedan will be $9711 to $13847 less than for the Lexus GS Series.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Mercedes C-Class Sedan as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mercedes C-Class outsold the Lexus GS Series by over four to one during 2013.