Lexus IS 300 vs. Mercedes-Benz A-Class
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Lexus IS 300 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class 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 300 and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
When comparing the Lexus IS 300's and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class's specifications and ratings, the Lexus IS 300 has the advantage in the areas of resale value and base engine power. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Lexus IS 300's and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class's specifications and ratings, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a better car than the Lexus IS 300.
Pricing: A used 2022 Lexus IS 300 ranges from $28,998 to $38,989 while a used 2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is priced between $23,395 to $32,340.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Lexus IS 300 loses 41.3 percent of its value and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class loses 45.5 percent of its value. This means the Lexus IS 300 retains 4.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Lexus IS 300’s base engine makes 241 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class base engine makes 188 horsepower. The IS 300 is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 539 miles. The A-Class is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 473 miles.This gives the Mercedes-Benz A-Class the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Lexus IS 300 the advantage in maximum range. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mercedes-Benz A-Class, a subcompact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Lexus IS 300, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Lexus IS 300 has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
39125
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
46042
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
27300 - 76200
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
33950
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
50950
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
33950 - 92500
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
34164
Price Range:
28998 - 38989
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
38447
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
24836 - 75567
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
50
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
55131
# Good or Great Deals:
20
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
28271
Price Range:
23395 - 32340
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
45251
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
28271 - 74859
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
127
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
47239
# Good or Great Deals:
80
Lexus IS 300 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus IS 300
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
17.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
9.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
6.5 - 17.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.517
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
10.6
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
10.4 - 10.9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.043463936019559
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.0 - 10.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.110118008329041
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
2.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
2.1 - 9.2
Lexus IS 300 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 30Ranking
2 out of / 35Ranking
3 out of / 35Ranking
3 out of / 35Ranking
3 out of / 35Ranking
4 out of / 35Ranking
5 out of / 35Ranking
5 out of / 30Ranking
17 out of / 35Ranking
22 out of / 35Ranking
29 out of / 35Ranking
29 out of / 35Mercedes-Benz A-Class Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 35Ranking
10 out of / 35Ranking
15 out of / 35Ranking
24 out of / 35Ranking
35 out of / 35Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Lexus IS 300 Trim Levels
Base
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Trim Levels
A 220, A 220 4MATIC
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):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 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
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
241 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1650 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.065 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
188 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
221 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 31 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
365 / 539 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
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):
24 / 35 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
324 / 473 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
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:
10.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
90.2 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
33.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Cargo Space:
8.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
90.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3715 lbs
Width:
72.4 inches
Height:
56.5 inches
Length:
185.4 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3285 lbs
Width:
78.4 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
179.1 inches
Wheelbase:
107.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/55R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Caviar
Blue
Grecian Water
Gray
Cloudburst Gray
Red
Matador Red Mica
Silver
Atomic Silver / Iridium
White
Eminent White Pearl
Gold
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Cosmos Black Metallic / Night Black
Blue
Denim Blue Metallic
Gray
Mountain Grey Metallic
Red
Patagonia Red Metallic
Silver
Iridium Silver Metallic
White
Digital White Metallic / Polar White
Gold
Rose Gold Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black w/Black Metallic Trim / Black w/Open-Pore Black Wood Trim
Brown
Glazed Caramel w/Black Metallic Trim / Glazed Carmel w/ w/Open-Pore Black Wood Trim
Red
Rioja Red w/Open-Pore w/Black Wood Trim / Rioja Red w/Black Metallic Trim
Beige
Not available
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black w/ Red Stitching
Brown
Bahia Brown
Red
Classic Red/Black
Beige
Macchiato Beige
Gray
Neva Grey/Black / Titanium Grey/Black
