Compare the2023 Mercedes GLC CoupeVS 2022 Lexus RX

The GLC Coupe’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 GLC Coupe offers an optional Post Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The RX 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GLC Coupe. But it costs extra on the RX.

Both the GLC Coupe and the RX 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 and available lane departure warning systems.

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 GLC Coupe’s warranty.

The GLC Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 5 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 268) than the RX 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes GLC Coupe is faster than the Lexus RX:

On the EPA test cycle the GLC 300 Coupe gets better fuel mileage than the RX 350 AWD (20 city/26 hwy vs. 19 city/26 hwy).

Both the GLC Coupe and the RX 450h have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All GLC Coupes have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLC Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RX.

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

For better traction, the GLC Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20 vs. 235/65R18).

The GLC Coupe’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RX’s standard 65 series tires. The GLC Coupe’s optional 255/45R20 front and 285/40R20 rear tires have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile than the RX’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLC Coupe has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the RX.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the GLC Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The RX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The GLC Coupe’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 GLC Coupe’s wheelbase is 3.3 inches longer than on the RX (113.1 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

The GLC 300 Coupe handles at .79 G’s, while the RX 450h pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Mercedes GLC Coupe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 750 pounds less than the Lexus RX.

The GLC Coupe is 9.2 inches shorter than the RX, making the GLC Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The GLC Coupe has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (17.6 vs. 16 cubic feet). The GLC Coupe has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (49.4 vs. 32.6 cubic feet).

The GLC Coupe’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (3500 vs. 0 pounds).

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

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the RX, the GLC Coupe 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the GLC Coupe to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The RX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The GLC Coupe’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The RX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLC Coupe is less expensive to operate than the RX because typical repairs cost much less on the GLC Coupe than the RX, including $295 less for a water pump, $54 less for a starter, $1652 less for a timing belt/chain and $914 less for a power steering pump.

Motor Trend selected the GLC Coupe as their 2017 Sport Utility of the Year. The RX has never been chosen.