Compare the2026 Lexus RZVS 2026 Mercedes CLA EQ

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the RZ are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CLA EQ doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Lexus RZ 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 RZ’s 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 RZ and the CLA EQ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Warranty

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RZ 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 RZ’s 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.

Engine

The RZ has more powerful engines than the CLA EQ:

	Horsepower	Torque
RZ 450e electric motors	308 HP	321 lbs.-ft.
RZ 550e F Sport electric motors	402 HP	396 lbs.-ft.
CLA 250+ EQ electric motor	268 HP	247 lbs.-ft.
CLA 350 4MATIC EQ electric motors	349 HP	380 lbs.-ft.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the RZ has larger tires than the CLA EQ (F:235/60R18 & R:255/55R18 vs. F:205/55R17 & R:225/50R17). The RZ’s front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CLA EQ (F:235/60R18 & R:255/55R18 vs. F:225/45R18 & R:255/40R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RZ has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CLA 250+ EQ. The RZ’s optional 20-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 RZ’s wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer than on the CLA EQ (112.2 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RZ is .3 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than on the CLA EQ.

Chassis

The Lexus RZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 250 pounds less than the Mercedes CLA EQ.

The front grille of the RZ uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CLA EQ doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The RZ 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 RZ has 1.9 inches more rear headroom, 3.9 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the CLA EQ.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the RZ’s rear seats recline. The CLA EQ’s rear seats don’t recline.

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 RZ’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, 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 RZ offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The CLA EQ doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Both the RZ and the CLA EQ have standard heated front seats. The RZ Luxury/F Sport also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CLA EQ.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the RZ keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The CLA EQ doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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

The RZ 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 RZ 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 RZ has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the CLA EQ.

The RZ has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CLA EQ doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The RZ’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Advanced Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The CLA EQ’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus RZ, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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