Mercedes vs Lexus! Can you tell them apart? CAR WIZARD shows just how similar these cars are! 

If someone sells their S class and gets a Lexus does that mean they LS swapped?

One pays the Wizard’s bills and the other doesn’t.

The hood needs to be strong on Mercedes, it gets opened a lot more than on the Lexus.

He points out that the Mercedes has headlight washers, follows with, "I don't know that these are functional anymore."

I absolutely love the LS430! I have owned 2 and regret having sold them. Crazy enough I’m search for another. You can’t go wrong with the LS430.

Ls430 all day. I’ve heard car manufacturers still use the Ls430, or used to, to measure how quiet their car should be inside

I never realized how close they were before.

"Its basically a toyota thats scaled up" you are correct its is actually toyota celsior in japan

"The shifter is staggered not like Mercedes" Yet the 500 has a staggered shifter

If only Mercedes still built cars like this today.

I’ve had Mercedes and I own a 430LS Ultra. Not even a comparison in cost or repairs between Mercedes and Lexus. I’ll take Lexus any day over quality and operating costs.

My parents had one of these back in the 90’s. It cost a lot more than the Lexus. We paid $105k for it back in 1995 and the Lexus was only $60k. I loved that car but random stuff would stop working all the time.

One will make you regret buying it, the other will never ever let you down ...

“Can you tell them apart?” Easy- the Lexus is the one not broken and not costing an arm and a leg to fix.

Reminds you of the day when people used to consider Mercedes something worthy of copying.

The Lexus has a soft close trunk as well. Just don’t slam it.

That Ls430 is one of the best cars ever made. EXTREMELY RELIABLE. Not even a comparison reliability wise

I ordered a brand new 2000 E430 4Matic BEZ,, topping out at $101,000 with many options. I owned it for five years and it saw $20,000 worth of warranty work, it was a lemon. I replaced it with a 2001 LS 430 with 98000km. I still have my LS. (Ultra premium package, load levelling air suspension, double pane laminated glass, massaging reclining rear seats, fridge, rear air-conditioning package, memory rear seats, radar adaptive cruise control) kept the Mercedes for two years while I owned the Lexus. On a trip to the U.S. Had my Lexus at a friend’s house in London Ontario, 100 miles from Toronto. Drove my Mercedes to London with a friend parked it got in the Lexus and drove the rest of the way to Detroit. We couldn’t believe how much more comfortable, quiet and smooth the Lexus was, the transmission was seamless, I floored it as I entered the highway. Beautiful. About the bullet train, u confused data. The LS 430 was modified in the bullet train’s windtunnel tuning center. Hence .250 drag coefficient for the Lexus. Only super cars can get this close and it was a four-door big sedan. Mercedes are utterly unreliable. And the service at Mercedes is abysmal. I went to four different dealerships over the years with the Benz to try to ameliorate the stress of the dealerships. I loved the Mercedes and the S class of those days,, seriously looked at buying one but they were just unreliable. There aren’t as many on the road as one might expect, they’re dead. The maintenance costs are phenomenal. There’s a lot of aging Lexus that reach 1,000,000 km. The LS 430 and LS400 engines were the best engines that Toyota ever manufactured. I bought a 2010 LS 460 long wheelbase AWD with the ultra premium luxury package, a TV between the seats. The cars will last longer than I live, that’s the way it goes when you own a Lexus. But why listen to my BS, check out the 20 years of data from JD Powell analytics. Start at the 92 LS400, you’ll find out who your daddy is.

Lexus: Can I copy your homework? Mercedes: Sure, but change it up a little so the teacher can't tell.

Yeah chrome on the door sills is not gonna convince me to get a Mercedes lol

Easy way to tell - look for leaks under the Mercedes.

I’d take that era Mercedes any day over these new Mercedes

One will go 3,4,500k miles & the other will cost you 3,4,5 thousand dollars a month in repairs

You still see the LS 400 on the road today.

Lexus seats: "For wide fat Americans" AHHAHAHAHAHAHA dead

back in the late 90s (or maybe it was early 2000's), I remember seeing a Mercedes TV commercial where they had a slogan that went something like this; "...and to our competitors, remember what you were taught in school. Keep your eyes on your own paper." I'm paraphrasing it somewhat, but it was hilarious and was a direct jab at Lexus.

It should be noted however. Sadly the S Class isnt built to the same caliber it once was. After the 90s it just didnt make economical sense to dump so much R&D into the S class. Still, both are some of the greatest used luxury sedans in my opinion. If it were up to me though, I'd give the Lexus my money.

Even after 16 years. The lexus still looks classy.

Anyone who says “I’ll take the Mercedes over the Lexus any day” has never owned or driven either of those cars for an extended period of time.

My 1999 GS 300 is still going strong at 247,000 miles. I have nothing but respect for Lexus.

Did my apprenticeship at a Mercedes Benz dealer from 1985- 1990. Enjoyed my time there learning how to wrench for a living. Learned Bosch FI. CIS, CIS-E and Diesel. Left to work on Toyotas until 2017. Now work at a large national used car retailer. While I still have a soft spot for pre 1990 Benzes, I know own 2 Lexus (RX suv and an ES sedan.) And a Tacoma TRD off road.

the only difference is that the lexus is as reliable as people perceive mercedes to be

Honestly after watching and thinking about this, I understand how they look similar but to be honest you should compare a 2005S 500 to the Lexus and I guarantee there’s a lot more plastics on that Mercedes and if you compared it that this old as 500 to a old Lexus LS400 I guarantee there’s more glass and metal on that compare to this as well so generation to generation is how you would compare I don’t know why you compare or some thing that’s eight years newer do you know what I mean I guess they look similar though but it is what it is.

LS430 Ultra Luxury owner here. I absolutely love the car to death. I'd love to get a w140 coupe to compliment it. :)

the difference between a Mercedes in the past and other cars is the sound when you close the car door, on Mercedes it sounds like you close a safe, then you know that it is quality and heavy

Can't beat the satisfying "thud" the Benz makes, when you close the doors. It just sounds so heavy duty and well made.

There are higher trims of the LS430 that have far more features than the one he has in this video.

Imho the merc boot handle is in reverse, it protects the driver/chauffeur from dirt on the boot

i would still have the LS over any S class from around 2000-2009.

You'll know the difference when you get the repair bill lol

Some LS430 models had headlight washers; my 2005 Lexus LS430 has a trunk pull-down and soft-close that still works perfectly after all these years. I’ve owned many Mercedes Benz cars over the years (most recently an SL500) and I wouldn’t trade any of them for my Lexus.

Glass headlights that stay clear are so cool. It looks horrible when the plastic ones get foggy.

“Too bad, get out and clean it with your hands”

Those HVAC controls on the Merc' were introduced in 1995 for the facelift. Anyway, real men own W140s!

I’ll take the one imitating the Mercedes. Luxury to me is not having to worry about things breaking when my car gets to 5 years old.

Car Wizard, saving us from bad mechanics and Scotty Kilmer's click bait videos.

All my Lexus come from Texas-That's why I bought my Benz in Tennessee!

So many untrue things have been said in this video. 1: The wood: Lexus wanted everything to be so extremely perfect that they went to the piano manufacturer Yamaha to make and lacque/varnish the wood so it would end up to be the very best. 2: The chrome on the Mercedes doors is only at the CL (coupe) and not at the 4 door w140 + its adding additional weight, fuel use and the sticker price would go up. 3: The metal on the threshhold is very real and not plastic. Its stainless steel to be exact. 4: The bonnet of the LS feels light because the total car needed to be: Lighter and more fuel economic then every other competitor for a cheaper price then the competition. 5: The trunk doesn't lock itself. It has soft close 6: The trunk grab handle is on the inside with the Lexus so it doesn't get dirty and it doest add weight and it will not break like with the Mercedes. 7: 1-2-3-UZFE are known or making millions of miles without any problems. A big fail when you compare that with Mercedes considering that the LS430 broke all records on its reliability. (Check the charges yourself) 8: Difficult to get to the serpentine belt? Its 2 plastic bolts and the air intake on the front is off. Thats all. No need to take the snorkel off + the nose doesnt need to be unnecessary long. 9: The horns are faced down so its impossible to get dirt inside them. 10: The front of the Lexus is so extremely over engineered that even pedestrians are more safe when they get hit with the Lexus. 11: Glass headlight lenses were forbidden in many country's in 2005, it adds weight and its not as clear as plastic. 12: The seats were inspirated on the royal first class airlines like the rest of the interior. Its also made extremely ergonomic with the best materials which still look good today after almost 20 years. 13: The ride quality of the Lexus with air suspension is way much better then the W140 and its also way better then the w220, w221 and even the w222 because the LS430 is made to drive like a landyacht. All the newer cars and even the new Lexus are made to compete with the Germans so they drive more firm and tight. 14: A Lexus is not a Toyota that is scaled up. Toyota called up the very best engineers they could find in their factory and they were offered 1 billion dollars so they could make the best car in the world in every detail and they did that. It needed to be more silent, more luxury, more fuel economic, more high tech, MUCH more reliable etc. It needed to be better in every point and thats why these cars are so extremely over engineered. People have absolutely no idea about how special these cars are and I am happy with that because thats they are still affordable. There is many more to say about the LS430 but I just wanted to put all the faults and errors the Car Wizard made together in this post.

As someone that recently sold a 26 year old Toyota that was mostly original and still driving fine I would take the Lexus. My 18 year old Camry is still running fantastic!

Great video! I always heard the older Mercedes were well built vehicles but the Lexus LS still impresses me overall. There is a reason why Lexus vehicles hold their value better than other brands and always ranks at the top for reliability and durability in every publication.

I've always been exceptionally good at identifying cars, better than I could ever identify a person. So this has never been an issue for me, I didn't even realize they were so similar on the outside until you pointed it out in this video, and even still I had to squint my eyes for it.

"These always seem to break on the Mercedes." Old S class Mercs in a nutshell. But those door jams are really nice.

Fun fact: Mrs. Wizard switched the badges on those two cars before the video. Car Wizard didn't notice and neither did you.

Whenever I see people denigrating the Mercedes Benz marque I wonder why they’re only considered unreliable in the United States. Everywhere else they’re considered bank vault quality. Maybe people in the USA don’t know how to take care of them.

The German cars of the '90s are amazing

Whizz loves the Mercedes because they keep him rich breaking down all the time 😂

One is sold at buy here and pay here lots and the other is sold certified preowned at its original dealer.

I'd like to see the 2005 Lexus compared to the W220 Mercedes from the same era -- I'd assume Mercedes went to plastic headlight lenses and cheap interior as seeming all cars did in the early 2000s... looking online that awesome metal plate is no where to be found on the W220 as well. The exterior similarity between that Lexus and that older Mercedes is striking though!

Can't even take your seriously when you say the Lexus has upgraded timing chains. 😱 🥵🤦🚽 Of all people you should know the 3UZ is a timing belt engine.

I spy that gx470 on the lift. That'd be a video I'd watch too. Those things are superb vehicles.

Wizard, I own a '95 W124 E320 Wagon, and my wife drives a '95 Toyota Camry Wagon. Its funny seeing you compare these cars because I see the DNA for our 2 wagons in the MB and Toyota Products.

I owned both and loved them but w140 is my favorite. Own a bunch. Now the sedan w140 has very different rear lights but I love this comparison. These coupes are shooting up in price too. Thanks for the video

I’d still take the Lexus over the Mercedes

The 'behind the wheel' feeling of the merc makes me pardon all its problems 😀👍

the coupe is gona end up in the garage til the end of the year while the big L leaves with a piece sign

I fell in love with my SL500 when it was called a 450SL back in the 70's. 50 years later I finally own one. Like me now a little fatter. Rounder. But can tell it was begot from the same parents. "Imitation is a good compliment"

I remember how the Kia Amanti stole the Mercedes-styled front and it also "borrowed" designs from other premium car. It was like a Franken-car design.

You’ll notice the difference real quick after you get the repair bill.

Damn he really hates the LS430.... realized it on the trunk close.... It has vacuum trunk, which the Mercedes doesn't have, but hey, its a lot older car... But he reallly hates the LS430

I've heard Hoovie say that his old Equus had been mistaken for a Maybach.

Took all emblems off my 2005 Ford Five Hundred AWD. Everyone asks what it is. The entire mechanicals are Volvo AWD with a Ford engine. Looks like these two cars!

A Lexus LS from the same vintage as the Merc will out live the Merc and it’s owners 😂

I have one of each. One I drive daily, the other stays at the repair shop. Guess which is which.

One is in and out oil change. The other one is in for 6 months electrical gremlin and engine replacement.

"Wide fat American but seats" - hilarious! I can see this now in future commercials. I'd gladly take the Lexus. Cheaper to have in the long run.

Remember when Hoovie bought the red Lexus for $200 or $300? It was a rare 5 speed and I bet that car is still going, with a little maintenance.

I never realized how close they were, maybe because Lexus never turns my head!

There is a handle on the inside right side in the trunk, it says pull on it and makes closing the trunk very easy. Also the wood veneer is real and sourced from yamahas instrument division. They make pianos, violins and others. And the seats were modeled after the first class seats of japan airlines. There are many things that arnt so simple with the ls430. When you live with one you realise just how practical and well thought out the entire car is.

Referencing 10:50, 100k to 150k miles is a durable car now? I would expect 300k out of a "durable" vehicle and 150k out of a low quality vehicle before major drivetrain work is needed.

Benz is more overcomplicated than overbuilt. Though I admit those chrome door cards are badass

The interior tech in the Lexus (especially the LS430s with the touchscreens) were ahead of their time. Took MB a few years to catch up and even then their UI was worse.

I spend a lot of time with my car sitting inside. That's why I drive a Mercedes.

I’ve owned an 04 LS430 for 17 years and 164,000 miles. Two timing chains, and 2 sets of brakes later, the only thing that needs to be replaced is the Mark Levinson subwoofer, lol! Wizard hating on cars that don’t break!

You're comparing a bare bones basic LS430 to the Mercedes. The higher trim level LS430s have quite a long list of upgrades that'll surprise you.

Just like the Mercedes, but reliable! And, any repairs needed won't require a second mortgage.

I love that 500 mercedes i wish i can drive one one day

12:52 this grab handle is more suited on the hood since there you will spent most of your time 😁 🇯🇵❌🇩🇪

Thought I was watching Curious Cars/Autohaus Of Naples for a minute.

Before I retired I was walking out to my car and I saw an early 1990's Lexus LS400. It looked like the taillights and the trunk lid would fit perfectly on my 1990 Mercedes 300E. I had heard that Toyota 'purchased some 1990 Mercedes and copied them' to create their Lexus. I never believed that until that afternoon. Maybe they did copy it.

You kept saying the Lexus is like a Camry like that's a bad thing. When something goes wrong, would you rather fix a Mercedes or a Camry?

Similar except for one major thing: You'll pay triple or quadruple the maintenance costs for the Mercedes VS the Lexus.

Great video wizard! I loved that you did a Mercedes video, especially since the 140 is my favorite car.

The location of the gas tank in not based on the car being asian or European. Right hand drive countries put the tank on the left and vice versa for left hand drive countries. When the car is exported, the interior will get adjusted based on the country it is exported to, but the gas tank stays the same. Japan is a right hand drive country.

Proud Lexus owner here! and I can say that nothing beats the quality build and long term performance of my 05 ES330!!! Amazing car

I could tell the difference in the splash screen in 2 seconds. The Lexus has Toyota bubblyness while the Merc has a Teutonic crispness. I would take the Lexus hands down any day on one factor: I could drive it daily and not spend a fortune every month to keep it running.

I'm definitely onboard with the resemblance! Both would make great highway cruisers!

Well one runs forever and the other one dies

My parents had a 2004 Lexus LS430 exactly like this one which they got brand new. It was one of my favorite cars they’ve ever owned, but it got destroyed in hurricane sandy :(

Damn, I'm falling in love with that Lexus.

So I've never actually commented on a video before, but i feel like i need to step in for a sec and say a few things. First off, i feel like this video was biased towards the Mercedes, Not to say the wizard is biased towards one or the other but i felt him leaning more towards the Mercedes. Second, As someone who prefers German cars to most, I have to say there was a lot of information not related in this video. Homework was not done and honestly as someone who follows you and is a big fan of, Tavarish and Tyler @ hoovies i gotta say i feel let down by this video. Where do i begin, The trunk handle situation if you open the Lexus trunk it actually has one built in as well. Less electrical things to go wrong, Does the same job and Saves owners money. I call that a plus. Then lets move onto the headlights... yes they may be glass on the benz, but you should have researched the headlight's on the LS430 and you would have know the headlights were cutting edge at the time and people till this day still retro fit their projectors and lights into Mercedes BMW and all types of cars. not to mention even till this day its considered one of the best headlights made. Plus you can maintain it unlike on the Mercedes if it gets chipped its time for a replacement. ( which happens all the time mind you )... then the headlight washers ands wipers. You do know certain model LS430's come with headlight washers built into the front bumpers right? My LS430 has them....not to mention how the LS430 was rated best riding luxury vehicle under 250K...the list goes on. Anyways my point is I'm not bashing The wizard or the Mercedes. i love them and my wife drives one. I'm actually looking for a CL55/600 for myself. But the misinformation is unreal. And there are more. Anyways point is please do your homework dude before comparing cars like this.