Compare the2025 Mercedes GLCVS 2024 Lexus RX

The GLC’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 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The RX doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The GLC 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 RX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The GLC offers optional Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The RX 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 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 RX.

Both the GLC 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view 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 GLC’s warranty.

The GLC has more powerful engines than the RX:

As tested in Motor Trend the GLC 300 is faster than the Lexus RX:

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

The GLC 350e can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 54 miles, up to 10% further than the RX 450h+‘s -mile range on a full charge and a full tank of fuel. The RX 450h+ has to start its internal combustion engine after only 37 miles.

Both the GLC and the RX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All GLCs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The RX 350h/500h doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

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

The GLC stops much shorter than the RX:

For better traction, the GLC’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (255/45R20 vs. 235/60R19).

The GLC’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RX’s optional 50 series tires.

The GLC has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The RX base model’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The GLC has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The RX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The GLC’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.

The GLC 300 4MATIC handles at .88 G’s, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GLC 300 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the RX 350h (27.3 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GLC has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RX 350 (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the GLC to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The GLC is 6.8 inches shorter than the RX, making the GLC easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Mercedes GLC amounts to more than styling. The GLC has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is significantly lower than the RX (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLC get better fuel mileage.

The GLC has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear hip room and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the RX.

The GLC has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (56.3 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

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

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

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the RX Premium/Luxury/500h F Sport, the GLC 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.

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

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 RX.

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