Compare the2024 Mercedes GLEVS 2024 Lexus LX

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 LX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The GLE has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seemlesly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The LX doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from other vehicles.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the GLE uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The LX uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the GLE and the LX 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, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes GLE (only applies to vehicles with optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The LX has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

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 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 101 more horsepower (510 vs. 409) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 479) than the LX’s 3.4 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lexus LX:

On the EPA test cycle the GLE running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the LX:

The GLE 450e can travel with zero emissions for 48 miles. The LX can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

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

The GLE’s standard fuel tank has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the LX (22.5 vs. 21.1 gallons).

For better stopping power the GLE 450e’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the LX:

The GLE stops shorter than the LX:

For better traction, the GLE 580’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LX (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. 265/55R20).

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 LX Premium/Luxury’s 65 series tires. The GLE 580’s optional 285/40R22 front and 325/35R22 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the LX’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLE has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the LX Premium/Luxury.

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

For superior ride and handling, the Mercedes GLE has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus LX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The GLE has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the GLE flat and controlled during cornering. The LX base model’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

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 LX.

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 LX 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 LX (117.9 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The GLE 450 handles at .84 G’s, while the LX 600 F Sport pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the GLE Airmatic has a greater minimum ground clearance than the LX Luxury/Ultra Luxury/F Sport (9.2 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the GLE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Mercedes GLE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 750 pounds less than the Lexus LX.

The GLE is 5.9 inches shorter than the LX, making the GLE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction lowers the GLE’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The LX doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

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 LX (.376) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLE get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the GLE 450 is quieter than the LX 600 F Sport:

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the LX with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 11 cubic feet). The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the LX with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 64 cubic feet).

The GLE’s cargo area is larger than the LX’s in almost every dimension:

The GLE’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LX Ultra Luxury doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

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

The LX’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The GLE’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

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 LX 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 LX.

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

Insurance will cost less for the GLE owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the GLE will cost $4160 less than the LX over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes GLE will be $22247 to $23269 less than for the Lexus LX.

The Mercedes GLE outsold the Lexus LX by over 8 to one during 2023.