Compare the2023 Lexus GXVS 2023 Mercedes G-Class

For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Lexus GX are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes G-Class has only front height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the GX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The G-Class doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The GX has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The G-Class doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The GX (except Base/Premium) offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The G-Class only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the GX and the G-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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

The GX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the G-Class’ (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GX second among midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The G-Class isn’t in the top three in its category.

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 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 24th.

On the EPA test cycle the GX gets better mileage than the G-Class:

The GX stops much shorter than the G-Class:

The Lexus GX’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mercedes G-Class only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The GX has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The G-Class doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The GX 460 Luxury has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The G-Class doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The GX handles at .73 G’s, while the G 550 pulls only .61 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GX executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the G 550 (28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 30.7 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the GX’s turning circle is 3.5 feet tighter than the G-Class’ (41.1 feet vs. 44.6 feet).

The Lexus GX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 650 pounds less than the Mercedes G-Class.

The design of the Lexus GX amounts to more than styling. The GX has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .35 Cd. That is significantly lower than the G-Class (.55). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GX get better fuel mileage.

For excellent aerodynamics, the GX has standard flush composite headlights. The G-Class has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The GX has standard seating for 7 passengers; the G-Class can only carry 5.

The GX has 22.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the G-Class (129.7 vs. 107).

The GX’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the right swing out door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The G-Class’ rear cargo window doesn’t open.

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.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the G-Class only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the GX has standard extendable sun visors. The G-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus GX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lexus GX outsold the Mercedes G-Class by over four to one during 2022.