Compare the2023 Lexus LXVS 2023 Mercedes G-Class

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 LX 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 LX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The G-Class doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The LX has a standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The G-Class doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The LX has a standard 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 LX 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 LX 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 LX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the G-Class’ (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 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.

The LX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 450) than the G 550’s standard 4.0 turbo V8.

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

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus LX higher (5 out of 10) than the Mercedes G-Class (3). This means the LX produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the G-Class every 15,000 miles.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus LX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the G-Class.

The Lexus LX’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 LX Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury has a standard automatic 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.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the LX is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the G-Class.

For better maneuverability, the LX’s turning circle is 5.2 feet tighter than the G-Class’ (39.4 feet vs. 44.6 feet).

The design of the Lexus LX amounts to more than styling. The LX has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .376 Cd. That is significantly lower than the G-Class (.55). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the LX get better fuel mileage.

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

The LX offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the G-Class can only carry 5.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the LX Luxury’s second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The G-Class doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The LX’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The G-Class’ swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the LX has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the LX Premium/F Sport/Luxury/Ultra Luxury, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The G-Class doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

The LX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the G-Class’ (8000 vs. 7000 pounds).

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.

The LX’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 G-Class does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The LX Premium/F Sport/Luxury/Ultra Luxury has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer 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 G-Class doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the LX 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 LX has standard extendable sun visors. The G-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the LX to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The G-Class doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Optional air conditioned front and second row seats keep the LX’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The G-Class doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The LX has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the G-Class.

Both the LX and the G-Class offer available massaging front seats. The LX Ultra Luxury also has standard massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the G-Class.