Compare the2023 Mercedes GLEVS 2022 Lexus RXL

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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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 RXL doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the GLE and the RXL 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 RXL:

	GLE	RXL
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	84	194
Neck Injury Risk	24%	33.2%
Neck Stress	208 lbs.	412 lbs.
Neck Compression	17 lbs.	60 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	301/184 lbs.	433/719 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	209	305
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	40.1%
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	267 lbs.
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	70 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	401/438 lbs.	403/457 lbs.

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 RXL:

	GLE	RXL
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	40	53
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.7 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	165
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	44 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
HIC	264	275
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	44 G’s
Hip Force	615 lbs.	685 lbs.

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the GLE is 1.2% less likely to roll over than the RXL.

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 114 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RXL is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

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 GLE’s warranty.

Engine

The GLE has more powerful engines than the RXL:

	Horsepower	Torque
GLE 350 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	255 HP	273 lbs.-ft.
GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	362 HP	369 lbs.-ft.
GLE 580 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid	483 HP	516 lbs.-ft.
RX 350L 3.5 DOHC V6	290 HP	263 lbs.-ft.
RX 450hL 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid	308 HP

As tested in Motor Trend the GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the RX 350L 3.5 DOHC V6:

	GLE	RXL
Zero to 60 MPH	5.6 sec	7.6 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97.4 MPH	89.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
GLE
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	20 city/25 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
RXL
	AWD	3.5 DOHC V6	18 city/25 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 RXL Hybrid.

The GLE has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the RXL 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 RXL’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 19.2 gallons).

Transmission

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 RXL.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLE 450/580’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the RXL:

	GLE 350	GLE 450/580	RXL
Front Rotors	13 inches	14.8 inches	12.9 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.6 inches	13.3 inches

The GLE stops much shorter than the RXL:

	GLE	RXL
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	139 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLE has larger standard tires than the RXL (255/50R19 vs. 235/65R18). The GLE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RXL (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 RXL’s standard 65 series tires. The GLE 450’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the RXL’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 RXL. The GLE 450’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the RXL.

Suspension and Handling

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 RXL.

The GLE offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The RXL’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

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 RXL 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 RXL 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 RXL (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 RXL.

The GLE 450 handles at .83 G’s, while the RX 350L AWD pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GLE 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the RX 350L (27 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

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

Chassis

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 RXL (.33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLE get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

The GLE has .7 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 10 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the RXL.

Cargo Capacity

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RXL with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 7.5 cubic feet). The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RXL with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 58.5 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 RXL’s liftover is 31.9 inches.

Towing

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

Servicing Ease

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

Ergonomics

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

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 RXL’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 RXL’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the GLE has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The RXL doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

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 RXL.

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 RXL.

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

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLE is less expensive to operate than the RXL because typical repairs cost much less on the GLE than the RXL, 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.

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