Compare the2026 Mercedes AMG CLA VS 2026 Lexus IS

The AMG CLA’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The IS doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the AMG CLA. But it costs extra on the IS.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the AMG CLA has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Active Brake Assist, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Rear Cross-Traffic Braking costs extra on the IS.

The AMG CLA’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The IS doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG CLA and the IS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 58 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the AMG CLA’s warranty.

The AMG CLA 35’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 280) than the IS’ 3.5 DOHC V6. The AMG CLA 45 S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 105 more horsepower (416 vs. 311) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 280) than the IS’ 3.5 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the AMG CLA gets better mileage than the IS:

			MPG
AMG CLA
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	20 city/28 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
IS
	RWD	3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the AMG CLA’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The IS doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the AMG CLA’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The IS doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The AMG CLA offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The IS doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The AMG CLA’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The IS doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the AMG CLA’s brake rotors are larger than those on the IS:

	AMG CLA	IS
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	13.1 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	11.7 inches

For better traction, the AMG CLA 45 S’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the IS (255/35R19 vs. 235/40R19).

The AMG CLA’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the IS F Sport’s 40 series front tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the AMG CLA can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The IS doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The AMG CLA has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The IS base model’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The AMG CLA offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The IS’ suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The AMG CLA’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The IS doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the AMG CLA is 1.3 inches wider in the front than the track on the IS.

The AMG CLA 45 S handles at .99 G’s, while the IS 350 F Sport pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The AMG CLA 45 S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the IS 350 F Sport (24.1 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 25.4 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

The AMG CLA has .3 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the IS.

The AMG CLA has a larger trunk than the IS (11.6 vs. 10.8 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the AMG CLA’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the IS’ useful trunk space.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the AMG CLA’s trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The IS doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the IS (except F Sport Design), the AMG CLA has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The AMG CLA’s standard easy entry and exit feature glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the IS.

The AMG CLA offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The IS doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the AMG CLA and the IS have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the AMG CLA is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The IS prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The AMG CLA’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Smart Access standard on the IS doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear doors.

The AMG CLA’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The IS’ cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the AMG CLA to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The IS doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The AMG CLA offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the IS.

The Mercedes AMG CLA has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Lexus charges extra for Homelink® on the IS.

The AMG CLA’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The IS doesn’t offer an automated parking system.