Compare the2022 Mercedes GLEVS 2022 Lexus GX

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the GLE 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 GX uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the GLE and the GX 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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the GLE its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 81 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GX has not been tested, yet.

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 GLE’s warranty.

The GLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 61 more horsepower (362 vs. 301) and 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8. The GLE 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 182 more horsepower (483 vs. 301) and 187 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lexus GX:

On the EPA test cycle the GLE gets better mileage than the GX:

Regenerative brakes improve the GLE 450’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the GLE’s 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 GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes GLE higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Lexus GX (3). This means the GLE produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GX every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLE, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GX.

For better stopping power the GLE 450’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GX:

The GLE stops much shorter than the GX:

For better traction, the GLE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 265/60R18).

The GLE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GX’s standard 60 series tires. The GLE 450’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the GX’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLE has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GX. The GLE 450’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the GX.

For superior ride and handling, the Mercedes GLE 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 GX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The GLE 450 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 GX.

The GLE’s 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 GX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE’s wheelbase is 8.1 inches longer than on the GX (117.9 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLE is 3.2 inches wider in the front and 4 inches wider in the rear than on the GX.

The GLE 450 handles at .84 G’s, while the GX pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GLE 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the GX (27 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the GLE’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the GX’s (39.4 feet vs. 41.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the GLE Airmatic has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GX (9.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the GLE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Mercedes GLE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 500 pounds less than the Lexus GX.

Unibody construction lowers the GLE’s 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 GX uses body-on-frame design instead.

The design of the Mercedes GLE amounts to more than styling. The GLE has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is significantly lower than the GX (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLE get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the GLE 450 is quieter than the GX:

The GLE has 2.5 inches more front headroom, 3.9 inches more front shoulder room, 6.8 inches more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the GX.

The front step up height for the GLE is 1.7 inches lower than the GX (20” vs. 21.7”). The GLE’s rear step up height is 2 inches lower than the GX’s (20” vs. 22”).

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the GX with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 11.6 cubic feet). The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GX with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 64.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the GLE easier. The GLE’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.7 inches, while the GX’s liftover is 33.8 inches.

The GLE’s cargo area is larger than the GX’s in almost every dimension:

The GLE’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The GX’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the GLE’s power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The GX doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus GX is limited to 6500 pounds. The GLE offers up to a 7700 lbs. towing capacity.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the GX, the GLE offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLE’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The GX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The GLE offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, certain gauge, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The GX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GLE’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GX’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The GLE’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The GX’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The GLE’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The GX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

The GLE offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the GX.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The GX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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

The GLE is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GX doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the GLE owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the GLE with a number “8” insurance rate while the GX is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLE is less expensive to operate than the GX because typical repairs cost much less on the GLE than the GX, including $104 less for a starter, $37 less for a fuel pump and $886 less for a timing belt/chain.

The Mercedes GLE outsold the Lexus GX by 88% during the 2021 model year.