Lexus IS 250 vs. Mercedes-Benz CLA
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Lexus IS 250 and Mercedes-Benz CLA contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Lexus IS 250 and the Mercedes-Benz CLA.
When comparing the Lexus IS 250's and the Mercedes-Benz CLA's specifications and ratings, The Mercedes-Benz CLA has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Lexus IS 250's and the Mercedes-Benz CLA's specifications and ratings, the Mercedes-Benz CLA is a better car than the Lexus IS 250.
Pricing: A used 2015 Lexus IS 250 ranges from $11,999 to $23,252 while a used 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA is priced between $8,913 to $20,997.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Lexus IS 250’s base engine makes 204 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz CLA base engine makes 208 horsepower. The IS 250 is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 522 miles. The CLA is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 551 miles. This gives the Mercedes-Benz CLA the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Lexus IS 250. Both models use gasoline.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
36550
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
38801
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
21065 - 62000
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
31500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
35650
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
31500 - 41100
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
17645
Price Range:
11999 - 23252
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
15743
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10007 - 38179
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
150
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
108349
# Good or Great Deals:
64
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
13889
Price Range:
8913 - 20997
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
16284
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
13889 - 17865
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Lexus IS 250 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Mercedes-Benz CLA Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.9 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus IS 250
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
2.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.5 - 10.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.167
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz CLA
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
3.6
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
3.4 - 3.9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.09
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
0.8949389369964
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.9 - 36.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6324772144595456
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
4.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
1.6 - 6.0
Lexus IS 250 Rankings
Not yet available
Mercedes-Benz CLA Rankings
Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
8 out of / 36Ranking
8 out of / 36Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
15 out of / 36Ranking
16 out of / 36Ranking
21 out of / 36Ranking
23 out of / 36Ranking
24 out of / 36Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Lexus IS 250 Trim Levels
Base, Crafted Line
Mercedes-Benz CLA Trim Levels
CLA 250, CLA 250 4MATIC, CLA 45 AMG
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
204 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
185 foot-lbs @ 4800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
208 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1250 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.064 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 30 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
365 / 522 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 38 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
377 / 551 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
32.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.4 inches
Cargo Space:
13.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
90.2 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Rear Head Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
27.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.2 inches
Cargo Space:
13.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3461 lbs
Width:
79.8 inches
Height:
56.3 inches
Length:
183.7 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3274 lbs
Width:
80 inches
Height:
56.6 inches
Length:
182.3 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/45R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/45R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Obsidian
Blue
Deep Sea Mica
Gray
Nebula Gray Pearl
Red
Matador Red Mica
Silver
Atomic Silver / Silver Lining Metallic
White
Starfire Pearl / Ultra White
Brown
Not available
Purple
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Cosmos Black Metallic / Night Black
Blue
Not available
Gray
designo Magno Polar Silver Metallic / Mountain Grey Metallic / Polar Silver Metallic
Red
Jupiter Red
Silver
Not available
White
Cirrus White
Brown
Cocoa Brown Metallic
Purple
Northern Lights Violet Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Flaxen / Parchment
Black
Black / Black w/ Matte Black trim / Black w/ Silver Performance trim
Gray
Stratus Gray / Stratus Gray w/ Matte Black trim / Stratus Gray w/ Silver Performance trim
Purple
Rioja Red
Brown
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Black
Black
Gray
Ash
Purple
Not available
Brown
Nut Brown
