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Lexus RC vs Mercedes SL Class comparison

Compare performance (464 HP vs 816 HP), boot space and price (82,300 £ vs 112,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Lexus RC or Mercedes SL Class?

Lexus RC vs Mercedes SL Class: Key differences

Lexus RC

  • visibly cheaper
  • very slightly lighter
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Mercedes SL Class

  • considerably more power
  • noticeably more efficient
  • significantly quicker 0–100 km/h
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By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

RC

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

Lexus RC is visibly cheaper – starting at 82,300 £ , while the Mercedes SL Class costs 112,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 30,376 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mercedes SL Class uses 9 L/100km and is noticeably more efficient than the Lexus RC with 11.8 L/100km. The difference is about 2.8 L/100km.

SL Class

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes SL Class offers considerably more power – delivering 816 HP compared to 464 HP. That’s roughly 352 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes SL Class is significantly quicker – completing the sprint in 2.9 s, while the Lexus RC takes 4.3 s. That’s about 1.4 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes SL Class delivers significantly more torque with 1,420 Nm compared to 520 Nm. That’s about 900 Nm more.

RC

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 4 people.

In terms of curb weight, Lexus RC is very slightly lighter – 1,715 kg compared to 1,810 kg. The difference is around 95 kg.

When it comes to payload, the Lexus RC carries visibly more – 535 kg compared to 375 kg. That’s a difference of about 160 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes SL Class is clearly superior overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £112,700
SL Class

Mercedes SL Class

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 381 - 816 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 9 - 13.6 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 12 km
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Lexus RC
Mercedes SL Class

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Lexus RC

The Lexus RC cuts a dramatic figure on the road with its bold grille and sculpted coupe silhouette, blending Japanese refinement with a dash of show-off flair. Inside it favors comfort and clever detailing over racetrack theatrics, so if you want a luxurious, dependable coupe that rewards everyday driving with poise and a grin, the RC is hard to ignore.

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Reviews Lexus RC

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Mercedes SL Class

The Mercedes SL blends timeless elegance with a cheeky sense of occasion, its retractable roof turning any commute into a small celebratory parade. Behind the wheel it behaves like a grown-up sports car that prefers comfort and presence over headline-grabbing bravado, making it a tempting choice for buyers who want to arrive in style.

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Lexus RC
Mercedes SL Class

Costs and Consumption
Price
82,300 - 101,500 £
Price
112,700 - 219,300 £
Consumption L/100km
11.8 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
9 - 13.6 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
12 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
268 g/km
co2
206 - 309 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
66 L
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Coupe
Body Type
Roadster
Seats
4
Seats
4
Doors
3
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,715 kg
Curb weight
1,810 - 2,195 kg
Trunk capacity
366 L
Trunk capacity
-
Length
4,710 mm
Length
-
Width
1,845 mm
Width
1,915 mm
Height
1,390 mm
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
535 kg
Payload
145 - 375 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
464 HP
Power HP
381 - 816 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.3 - 4.5 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
2.9 - 4.9 s
Max Speed
270 km/h
Max Speed
-
Torque
520 Nm
Torque
480 - 1,420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
8
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Power kW
341 kW
Power kW
280 - 600 kW
Engine capacity
4,969 cm3
Engine capacity
1,991 - 3,982 cm3

General
Model Year
2,021 - 2,024
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
Lexus
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
What drivetrain options does the Lexus RC have?

The Lexus RC is offered with Rear-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.