Compare the2024 Mercedes GLSVS 2024 Lexus LX

The GLS’ 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 GLS has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly 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 GLS 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 GLS 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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 GLS’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GLS second among large premium suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The LX isn’t in the top three in its category.

The GLS 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. The Maybach GLS 600’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 141 more horsepower (550 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 GLS 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lexus LX:

On the EPA test cycle the GLS 450 gets better fuel mileage than the LX 600 (19 city/24 hwy vs. 17 city/22 hwy).

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

The GLS has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the LX (23.8 vs. 21.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the GLS’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the LX:

The GLS stops much shorter than the LX:

For better traction, the GLS has larger standard tires than the LX (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 265/55R20). The GLS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LX (F:285/40R23 & R:325/35R23 vs. 265/55R20).

The GLS’ standard 275/45R21 front and 315/40R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LX Premium/Luxury’s 65 series tires. The GLS’ optional 285/40R23 front and 325/35R23 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 GLS has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the LX Premium/Luxury. The GLS’ optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the LX.

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

The front and rear suspension of the GLS uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the LX, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The GLS 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 GLS’ 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 GLS’ wheelbase is 11.2 inches longer than on the LX (123.4 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the GLS is .6 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the LX.

The GLS 450 handles at .92 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 GLS has a 2.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the LX Base/Premium (10.1 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the GLS to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLS Off-Road Package’s minimum ground clearance is 3 inches higher than on the LX Luxury/Ultra Luxury/F Sport (11.3 vs. 8.3 inches).

Unibody construction lowers the GLS’ 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 GLS has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 5.3 inches more rear legroom, 3.7 inches more third row headroom and 3.5 inches more third row legroom than the LX.

The GLS’ cargo area provides more volume than the LX.

The GLS’ available 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 fluid is optional on the GLS to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The LX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The LX’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The GLS’ standard 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 GLS has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The LX doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The GLS has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Lexus doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the LX.

The GLS offers an optional center folding armrest for the third row rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and can provide a barrier between children. The LX doesn’t offer a third row rear seat center armrest.

The GLS offers optional massaging front and second row seats, which keep the driver and middle row passengers. Massaging seats aren’t available in the LX.

The GLS’ 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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GLS third among large premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The LX isn’t in the top three.

The Mercedes GLS outsold the Lexus LX by over three to one during 2023.