Compare the2025 Lexus GXVS 2025 Mercedes GLE

The Lexus GX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GLE doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the GX. But it costs extra on the GLE.

The GX’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLE.

Both the GX and the GLE 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 around view monitors.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the GX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLE. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the GLE ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The GX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the GLE’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 83 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 21st.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 29th.

The GX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 94 more horsepower (349 vs. 255) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 295) than the GLE 350’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The GX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 369) than the GLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lexus GX is faster than the GLE 350 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the GX 550 gets better fuel mileage than the GLE 580 4.0 turbo V8 Hybrid running its gasoline engine (15 city/21 hwy vs. 15 city/20 hwy).

The GX has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLE 450e’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus GX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the GLE.

For better traction, the GX has larger tires than the GLE (265/55R20 vs. 255/50R19).

The Lexus GX’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mercedes GLE only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The GX has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the GLE; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The GX Overtrail has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The GLE doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For greater off-road capability the GX Premium has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GLE (8.7 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the GX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GX Overtrail’s minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the GLE Airmatic (9.8 vs. 9.2 inches).

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the GX Overtrail+ is quieter than the GLE 450 (37 vs. 38 dB).

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GX’s middle and third row seats recline. The GLE’s third row seats don’t recline.

The GX’s cargo area provides more volume than the GLE.

The GX’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The GLE’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The GX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the GLE’s (9063 vs. 7700 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mercedes GLE is only 7700 pounds. The GX offers up to a 9096 lbs. towing capacity.

Trailer Sway Control is standard on the GX, using the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the GLE.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 39% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 17th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the GLE only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The GX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The GLE doesn’t offer headlight washers.