Compare the2023 Mercedes GLEVS 2023 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.

The GLE’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The RX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

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 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 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 114 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RX 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 has more powerful engines than the RX:

Regenerative brakes improve the GLE 450/580’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The RX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The GLE has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 350h/500h’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The GLE has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 350’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 17.8 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 ride, handling and brake cooling the GLE 450 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The RX’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The GLE has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The RX base model’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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 5.7 inches longer than on the RX (117.9 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The GLE’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.5% to 46.5%) than the RX’s (54.7% to 45.3%). This gives the GLE more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the GLE Airmatic has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RX 350h (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 (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLE get better fuel mileage.

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

The GLE has 1 inch more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 3.5 inches more rear legroom and 1.8 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. 29.6 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. 46.2 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 the accessory belts are in front.

The GLE has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The RX doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the RX Premium/Luxury/500h F Sport, 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.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GLE has a standard rear wiper. The RX doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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.