Lexus LC vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class
What's the difference?

Lexus LC

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2021 price

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Mercedes-Benz S-Class

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2021 price

View pricing & specs

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Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

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Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Summary

2021 Lexus LC

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

By Andrew Chesterton

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Engine Type

V8, 5.0L

Twin Turbo V6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

12.7L/100km (combined)

8.4L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Punchy engine
Throaty exhaust
Climate-controlled cabin

S-Class' return to splendour
Stunning high-tech cabin presentation
Outstanding ride and handling capabilities

Dislikes

Disconnect from the drive experience
Lexus trackpad tech persists
Thirsty

Price of entry prohibitive for most
3D instrumentation can make you woozy
A tad conservative in design

2021 Lexus LC Summary

Being a true Jack of all trades in the car world is rare.

Generally speaking, a vehicle is either capable or comfortable. Attractive or aerodynamic. Practical or performance orientated. And problems arise when cars try to do all those things well, all at the same time.

Which make the Lexus LC 500 Convertible such an interesting proposition. Because it is, without doubt, stylish, and lavishly equipped. It’s also rather large and rather heavy. All of which is perfect for cruising the Bondi foreshore.

But it’s also equipped with a thumping V8 engine and a throaty exhaust that sounds like bricks in a blender on the overrun. It’s stiffer than the LFA supercar, and plenty powerful, which should deliver one of Lexus’ sportiest-ever drives.

So can the LC 500 really do it all? Let’s find out.

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2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Summary

It's only in the running for the title of world's best luxury car. No biggie here, then.

Like Rolex and Concorde, S-Class has become a byword for ultimate, and deserved or not, the Mercedes-Benz defines its segment despite the best efforts of the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, Lexus LS and (sadly now-defunct) Jaguar XJ, as well as pointing the way forward with new technologies that eventually trickle down to more proletarian models.

Replacing the half-million selling W222 unveiled in 2013, the W223 is the latest in a long line since the first W187 Ponton debuted in 1951, and includes the famous ‘Finnies' and Stroke-8 models that followed immediately afterwards, but it is the 1972 W116 that really set the template.

Now, seven generations in, the 2021 S-Class is all-new again, with progressive safety and interior features that should help keep it Australia's bestselling full-sized upper-luxury sedan.

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Lexus LC 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Verdict

Stunning to behold, and even more so to listen to, the LC 500 Convertible with no doubt turn as many heads as its owners surely want it to. It's not the final word in performance, but it's a lavishly equipped transporter none the less.

Verdict

Mercedes-Benz set out to restore the S-Class' place amongst the greatest sedans in the world.

In the heavily-optioned, near-$250K-plus S450 as well as the extended S450L at $300K as tested (the sweet spot of the range for now), we reckon the Germans have succeeded, pushing safety, comfort and technology boundaries, in a package that is true to the heritage of the series.

Tax-fuelled sky-high prices will certainly keep the S-Class niche in Australia, but the car is more than good enough to dominate its tiny corner of the upper-large luxury car sphere.

The best new car in the world? We reckon it's highly likely. Mission accomplished, Mercedes.

Lexus LC vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Lexus LC vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class
What's the difference?