Compare the2023 Lexus RXVS 2022 Mercedes GLA

The Lexus RX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GLA doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The RX’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLA.

Both the RX and the GLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Lexus RX weighs 661 to 1366 pounds more than the Mercedes GLA. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLA. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the GLA ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The RX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the GLA’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 20th.

The RX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 25 more horsepower (246 vs. 221) than the GLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 54 more horsepower (275 vs. 221) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 258) than the GLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RX 500h F Sport Performance’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 145 more horsepower (366 vs. 221) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 258) than the GLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the RX 350h gets better fuel mileage than the GLA 250 4MATIC (37 city/34 hwy vs. 23 city/32 hwy).

The RX 350h/500h’s standard fuel tank has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLA (17.2 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The RX 350’s standard fuel tank has 4.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLA (17.8 vs. 13.5 gallons).

The RX 350h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The GLA doesn’t offer a CVT.

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

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GLA. The RX’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the GLA.

The RX F Sport’s has front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The GLA’s suspension doesn’t offer front gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RX’s wheelbase is 4.8 inches longer than on the GLA (112.2 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RX is 2 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than on the GLA.

For better maneuverability, the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the GLA’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The RX has .5 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the GLA.

The RX has a much larger cargo volume than the GLA with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 15.4 cubic feet).

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers or raises the RX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The GLA doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The RX offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The GLA has no towing capacity.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 48% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RX Premium+/Luxury/500h F Sport offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The GLA doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The RX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the GLA. The RX Premium+/Luxury/500h F Sport also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the GLA.

The RX Premium/Luxury/F Sport has standard front air conditioned seats and the RX Premium+/Luxury/500h F Sport offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The GLA doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Lexus RX outsold the Mercedes GLA by almost six to one during the 2021 model year.