Compare the2022 Mercedes GLEVS 2022 Lexus RX

The GLE’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The RX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the GLE and the RX 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, 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes GLE is safer than the Lexus RX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mercedes GLE is safer than the Lexus RX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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 RX is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

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 has more powerful engines than the RX:

As tested in Motor Trend the GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the RX 450h 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the GLE 450 gets better fuel mileage than the RX 350 AWD (21 city/25 hwy vs. 19 city/26 hwy).

Regardless of its engine, the GLE’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the RX 450h, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

The GLE has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The GLE has 3.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 19.2 gallons).

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

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

The GLE stops shorter than the RX:

For better traction, the GLE has larger standard tires than the RX (255/50R19 vs. 235/65R18). The GLE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 235/65R18).

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 RX’s standard 65 series tires. The GLE 450’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the RX’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 RX. The GLE 450’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the RX.

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 RX.

The GLE has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLE’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The RX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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 RX 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 RX (117.9 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLE is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than on the RX.

The GLE’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.5% to 46.5%) than the RX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the GLE more stable handling and braking.

The GLE 450 handles at .84 G’s, while the RX 350 F Sport AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GLE 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the RX 450h (27 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GLE Airmatic has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RX (9.2 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the GLE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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 RX (.33) 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 RX 350 F Sport AWD:

The GLE offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the RX can only carry 5.

The GLE has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 2.9 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the RX.

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 16 cubic feet). The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 32.6 cubic feet).

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (5950 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus RX is only 3500 pounds. The GLE offers up to a 7700 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the GLE is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the RX, 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 RX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The GLE’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the RX’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

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 RX.

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. Wireless charging costs extra on the RX.

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

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLE is less expensive to operate than the RX because typical repairs cost much less on the GLE than the RX, including $276 less for a water pump, $57 less for a starter, $1665 less for a timing belt/chain and $937 less for a power steering pump.