Compare the2024 Mercedes GLC CoupeVS 2024 Lexus NX

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 NX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The GLC Coupe has standard NECK-PRO front head restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the NECK-PRO front head restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The NX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

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

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GLC Coupe has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Active Brake Assist, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Parking Support Brake costs extra on the NX.

Both the GLC Coupe and the NX 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 hybrid produces 52 more horsepower (255 vs. 203) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 184) than the NX 250’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The GLC Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 15 more horsepower (255 vs. 240) than the NX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the GLC Coupe gets better mileage than the NX running its gasoline engine:

Both the GLC Coupe and the NX 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. The NX 350h/450h+ doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The GLC Coupe has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX (17.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes GLC Coupe higher (7 out of 10) than the Lexus NX (6 to 7). This means the GLC Coupe produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the NX every 15,000 miles.

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 NX.

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

For better traction, the GLC Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the NX (F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20 vs. 235/60R18).

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 NX’s standard 60 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 NX’s optional 50 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 NX.

The GLC Coupe has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the NX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

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 NX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLC Coupe’s wheelbase is 7.8 inches longer than on the NX (113.7 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

The design of the Mercedes GLC Coupe amounts to more than styling. The GLC Coupe has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is significantly lower than the NX (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLC Coupe get better fuel mileage.

The GLC Coupe has .6 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear legroom and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.

The GLC Coupe has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (52.6 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the GLC Coupe easier. The GLC Coupe’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.4 inches, while the NX’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

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

The engine in the GLC Coupe is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the NX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the NX, the GLC Coupe has standard driver and 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.

The GLC Coupe’s standard easy entry and exit feature raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the NX.

The power windows standard on both the GLC Coupe and the NX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GLC Coupe is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The NX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The GLC Coupe’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The NX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the GLC Coupe to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The NX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GLC Coupe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The NX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLC has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the NX.

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