Verdict
At RM409,000, the Lexus IS undercuts the RM443,888 Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class by RM34,888 and brings a 480-litre boot, 66-litre tank and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty. The AMG C-Class spends more on serious pace: 402 hp and 500 Nm cut the 0-100 km/h time to 4.6 seconds, against 241 hp, 350 Nm and 7.0 seconds for the Lexus. Its all-wheel drive, adaptive dampers, 360-degree camera and active safety kit make the extra outlay easier to justify, but the IS remains the more practical long-distance ownership proposition.
Pick the Lexus IS if you want to save RM34,888, carry 25 litres more fuel and get a larger 480-litre boot with a five-year warranty.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class if 402 hp, 500 Nm, 4.6-second 0-100 km/h pace, all-wheel drive and a much fuller driver-assistance suite matter more.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus IS RM409,000; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class RM443,888.
- Output: Lexus IS 241 hp and 350 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class 402 hp and 500 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus IS 7.0 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class 4.6 seconds.
- Driveline: Lexus IS rear-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class all-wheel drive.
- Boot and fuel tank: Lexus IS 480 litres and 66 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class 455 litres and 50 litres.
- Warranty: Lexus IS five years/unlimited mileage; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class four years/unlimited mileage.
IS
- RM34,888 less expensive.
- 480-litre boot and 66-litre fuel tank.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- 241 hp and 350 Nm trail the AMG C-Class's 402 hp and 500 Nm.
- 7.0-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.4 seconds slower.
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping steering correction.
AMG C-Class
- 402 hp, 500 Nm and a 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- All-wheel drive with AMG Ride Control adaptive dampers.
- Digital Light headlamps, 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control.
- Costs RM34,888 more.
- 455-litre boot is 25 litres smaller and the 50-litre tank is 16 litres smaller.
- Four-year unlimited-mileage warranty is one year shorter.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM409,000✓ | RM443,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM380 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 241 hp | 402 hp✓ |
| Torque | 350 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 86 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 14 hp✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Sports Direct Shift | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7 seconds | 4.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,665 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,820 mm |
| Height | 1,430 mm | 1,437 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,800 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,620 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 66 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 455 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 265/35R19 |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental SportContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | — | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon Projector | Digital Light LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way Power Adjustable Seats, Heated and Ventilated | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 4x Front USB-C, 1x Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Panoramic Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 7" Lexus Premium Audio with DVD/MP3 Player and 8 Speakers | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used IS & AMG C-Class for sale
IS vs AMG C-Class FAQ
Is the Lexus IS or Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class is the stronger choice for performance and active safety, with 402 hp, all-wheel drive and autonomous braking. Choose the Lexus IS for the lower purchase price, larger boot and tank, plus a five-year rather than four-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class costs RM34,888 more than the Lexus IS.
Which car is quicker?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class is decisively quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds versus 7.0 seconds for the Lexus IS. It also has 402 hp and 500 Nm, compared with 241 hp and 350 Nm.