Lexus ES 350h vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2026)
Lexus ES 350h (₹66.10 Lakh – ₹71.80 Lakh) and Mercedes-Benz C-Class (₹61.20 Lakh – ₹1.91 Crore) go head-to-head in the luxury sedan space. Here is how they compare on the numbers (October 2026).
- The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is more affordable — it starts ₹4.90 Lakh lower than the Lexus ES 350h.
- The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the more powerful car, with 670 bhp against 241 bhp.
Specification Comparison
Shortlisting a third car? See the full three-way comparison →
Lexus ES 350h in short
The all-new ES launched in India in July 2026, and the ES 350h remains what the ES has always been: the strong-hybrid luxury sedan nobody else builds. Two variants — Exquisite at ₹66.10 lakh and Luxury at ₹71.80 lakh, per Lexus India's official price list — carry a 244 hp 2.5L petrol strong hybrid with an e-CVT, promising diesel-beating efficiency with none of the diesel. Rivals are the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series LWB, neither of which offers a strong hybrid; the ES's pitch is Toyota-group hybrid reliability wrapped in Lexus luxury.
Full ES 350h prices & variants →Mercedes-Benz C-Class in short
The C-Class is Mercedes' core luxury sedan in India, spanning an unusually wide ₹61.20 lakh to ₹1.91 crore because the range runs from the C 200 petrol all the way to the 680 PS AMG C 63 S E Performance plug-in hybrid. The volume variants — C 200 petrol and C 220d diesel — are priced identically at ₹61.20 lakh, a rarity in this class. It competes with the BMW 3 Series LWB and Audi A4. Note: the C 300 AMG Line is on sale but held from our table pending price verification (sources conflict between ₹65.60 and ₹67.00 lakh).
Full C-Class prices & variants →Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper: ES 350h or C-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is more affordable — it starts ₹4.90 Lakh lower than the Lexus ES 350h. (Ex-showroom prices, October 2026.)
ES 350h vs C-Class — which is safer?
NCAP ratings: Lexus ES 350h — not yet tested; Mercedes-Benz C-Class — not yet tested.
Should I buy the ES 350h or the C-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is more affordable — it starts ₹4.90 Lakh lower than the Lexus ES 350h. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the more powerful car, with 670 bhp against 241 bhp. Beyond the numbers, shortlist by test-driving both — ride quality and dealer experience differ by city.