2021 head-to-head · Compact Car
2021 Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2021 Lexus IS is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $2,370 a year to fuel (25 MPG), versus $2,962 for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (20 MPG). That's roughly $592 a year, or about $2,962 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Lexus IS
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Side by side
| Lexus IS | Mercedes-Benz S-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,370 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,962 |
| 25 MPG | Combined efficiency | 20 MPG |
| 21 MPG | City | 16 MPG |
| 31 MPG | Highway | 26 MPG |
| 90 cu ft | Passenger volume | 88 cu ft |
| 11 cu ft | Cargo volume | 7 cu ft |
| 357 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 454 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 4/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 4/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| RWD | Drivetrain | RWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class across model years
- Lexus IS
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Lexus IS has more cargo space (11 vs. 7 cu ft).
Among 37 2021 compact cars, the Lexus IS ranks 29th and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class 35th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Lexus IS or the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Measured by cost to drive, the Lexus IS. The Lexus IS is rated 25 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class 20 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Lexus IS vs. the Mercedes-Benz S-Class per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,370 for the Lexus IS and $2,962 for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Which has more cargo space?
The Lexus IS, with 11 cu ft of luggage volume versus 7 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class in other years
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