Performance

One of the major reasons people gravitate to compact luxury sedans is the sheer fun that they bring, thanks to their powerful drivetrains and good driving dynamics. All three of our contenders offers excellent powertrains, with both the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Lexus IS starting at a strong 241 horsepower and getting stronger as one moves up through the trim levels, with the INFINITI Q50 following a similar, but slightly slower trajectory, as it starts with just 208 horsepower on its base model. The difference between the models really tells when it comes to the driving dynamics however. Here, the 2018 C-Class excels thanks to its smooth and quick nine-speed transmission, deadeye sharp electronic power steering and an independent suspension that can be further upgraded to an adjustable compressed-air system. The eight-speed and seven-speed transmissions on the 2018 IS and the 2018 Q50 feels sluggish in comparison, and both models have significantly more body roll through turns than the Mercedes-Benz. For sporty performance enthusiasts, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the clear winner.

Cost of Ownership

The most fun cars tend to be impractical for daily driving, which is why many people opt for luxury compact sedans like the C-Class, the IS and the Q50; they are not only fun to drive, but practical as well! All three of the models score surprisingly well when it comes to fuel consumption, with the Mercedes-Benz offering up to 33 miles per gallon, the Lexus up to 32 mpg, and the INFINITI up to 30 mpg on their gasoline engines. The 2018 C-Class expands its slight practicality lead thanks to the optional plug-in hybrid model that gets up to 51 mpg-equivalents. The Mercedes-Benz is also the easiest to maintain of the three cars. On the J.D. Power and Associates reliability rankings, it scores a 4, with a reliability that is ‘Better than Most’ in its class. The Lexus ranks at an ‘About Average’ 3, while the INFINITI only earns a 2. That makes the 2018 C-Class not only cheaper to drive, but also means that it will spend less time and money in the shop as well. .

Safety

Two of our three competitors come with some solid safety credentials. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the 2018 Lexus IS both earn top scores from crash testing agencies on pretty much every test, while the 2018 INFINITI Q50 has not been put through all of the tests yet. Between these two safety high-scorers, the C-Class stands out for its larger selection of both standard and optional safety equipment. While both the Mercedes-Benz and the Lexus come standard with a rearview camera, and radar- and camera-based collision prevention and lane departure control systems, the C-Class also throws in driver drowsiness monitoring, rain-sensing windshield wipers and an impact preparation system. It also offers some optional safety technology not found on the IS, such as traffic sign recognition and a 360-degree camera, making it the best choice for safety-minded and family drivers.

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* Based on year model EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.