Compare the2022 Mercedes GLSVS 2021 Lexus LX 570

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The GLS’ 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 LX 570 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the GLS uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The LX 570 uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the GLS and the LX 570 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and available lane departure warning systems.

Warranty

There are over 57 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GLS’ warranty.

Engine

The GLS 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 100 more horsepower (483 vs. 383) and 113 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 403) than the LX 570’s 5.7 DOHC V8. The Maybach GLS 600’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 167 more horsepower (550 vs. 383) and 135 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 403) than the LX 570’s 5.7 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes GLS is faster than the Lexus LX 570:

	GLS 450	GLS 580	LX 570
Zero to 60 MPH	5.8 sec	4.7 sec	7.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.3 sec	13.2 sec	15.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	105.9 MPH	89.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GLS gets better mileage than the LX 570:

			MPG
GLS
	AWD	580 4.0 turbo V8 Hybrid	16 city/21 hwy
		Maybach GLS 600 4.0 turbo V8 Hybrid	14 city/20 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	18 city/24 hwy
LX 570
	AWD	5.7 DOHC V8	12 city/16 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the GLS’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the GLS’ 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 LX 570 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the LX 570.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the LX 570:

	GLS	LX 570
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13.9 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13.5 inches

The GLS stops much shorter than the LX 570:

	GLS	LX 570
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The GLS’ optional 285/40R23 front and 325/35R23 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LX 570’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLS offers optional 23-inch wheels. The LX 570’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Mercedes GLS has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus LX 570 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The front and rear suspension of the GLS uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the LX 570, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The GLS offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lexus doesn’t offer an active suspension on the LX 570.

The GLS’ 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 LX 570 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLS’ wheelbase is 11.2 inches longer than on the LX 570 (123.4 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the GLS is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the LX 570.

The GLS 450 handles at .92 G’s, while the LX 570 pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GLS 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the LX 570 (26.4 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GLS has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the LX 570 (10.1 vs. 8.9 inches), allowing the GLS to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLS Off-Road Package’s minimum ground clearance is 2.4 inches higher than on the LX 570 (11.3 vs. 8.9 inches).

Chassis

The Mercedes GLS may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the Lexus LX 570.

Unibody construction lowers the GLS’ center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The LX 570 uses body-on-frame design instead.

Cargo Capacity

The GLS’ cargo area provides more volume than the LX 570.

	GLS	LX 570
Behind Third Seat	17.4 cubic feet	16.3 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	42.7 cubic feet	41.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.7 cubic feet	81.3 cubic feet

The GLS’ cargo area provides more volume than the LX 570 Two-Row.

	GLS	LX 570
Second Seat Folded	84.7 cubic feet	81.3 cubic feet

The GLS’ cargo area is larger than the LX 570’s in almost every dimension:

	GLS	LX 570
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	22.2”/48.1”/81.3”	15.6”/46”/66.8”
Max Width	49”	56”
Min Width	42.5”	40”
Height	34.7”	43”

The GLS has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The LX 570 doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the GLS’ second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The LX 570 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The GLS’ liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The LX 570’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the GLS’ liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its tailgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The GLS’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the LX 570’s (7700 vs. 7000 pounds).

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the GLS and the LX 570 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GLS is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The LX 570 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLS to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The LX 570 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the GLS has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The LX 570 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The GLS also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GLS to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The LX 570 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The GLS’ power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The LX 570’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The GLS has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Lexus doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the LX 570.

The GLS offers optional massaging front and second row seats, which keep the driver and middle row passengers. Massaging seats aren’t available in the LX 570.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLS has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console and one for the rear passengers. Only the LX 570 Three-Row offers wireless charging and it costs extra.

The GLS’ Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The LX 570 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Mercedes GLS outsold the Lexus LX 570 by over five to one during the 2021 model year.