Compare the2022 Mercedes GLC CoupeVS 2021 Lexus NX Series

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLC Coupe have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Lexus NX Series doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GLC Coupe. But it costs extra on the NX Series.

Both the GLC Coupe and the NX Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and available lane departure warning systems.

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 GLC Coupe’s warranty.

The GLC Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 61 more horsepower (255 vs. 194) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 199) than the NX 300h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The GLC Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (255 vs. 235) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 258) than the NX 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes GLC Coupe is faster than the Lexus NX Series:

Both the GLC Coupe and the NX Series 300h have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All GLC Coupes have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The GLC Coupe has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX Series Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The GLC Coupe has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX Series’ standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 15.9 gallons).

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLC Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the NX Series.

For better stopping power the GLC Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the NX Series:

The GLC Coupe’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the NX Series are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the GLC Coupe has larger standard tires than the NX Series (235/55R19 vs. 225/65R17). The GLC Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the NX Series (F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20 vs. 235/55R18).

The GLC Coupe’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NX Series’ standard 65 series tires. The GLC Coupe’s optional 255/45R20 front and 285/40R20 rear tires have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile than the NX Series F Sport’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLC Coupe has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the NX Series. The GLC Coupe’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the NX Series.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the GLC Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The NX Series doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The GLC Coupe’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 NX Series doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLC Coupe’s wheelbase is 8.4 inches longer than on the NX Series (113.1 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLC Coupe is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the NX Series.

The GLC 300 Coupe handles at .79 G’s, while the NX 300 pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GLC Coupe has .7 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more rear headroom, 1.1 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX Series.

The GLC Coupe’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX Series’ (3500 vs. 0 pounds).

The engine in the GLC Coupe is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the NX Series. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the NX Series, the GLC Coupe 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 GLC Coupe’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the NX Series.

The GLC Coupe offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed 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 NX Series doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GLC Coupe’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 NX Series’ power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The GLC Coupe’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 NX Series’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the GLC Coupe to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The NX Series doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The GLC Coupe has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the NX Series. The GLC Coupe also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the NX Series.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLC offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The NX Series doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The GLC Coupe offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The NX Series doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The GLC Coupe’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The NX Series doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

and e Mercedes GLC comes in four door bodystyles; the Lexus NX Series isn’t available as a .

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLC Coupe is less expensive to operate than the NX Series because it costs $372 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the GLC Coupe than the NX Series, including $37 less for fuel injection and $949 less for a timing belt/chain.

Motor Trend selected the GLC Coupe as their 2017 Sport Utility of the Year. The NX Series has never been chosen.