Compare the2025 Mercedes GLEVS 2025 Lexus RX

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 RX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the GLE’s standard Downhill Speed Regulation allows you to creep down safely. The RX doesn’t offer Downhill Speed Regulation.

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 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 other vehicles.

Both the GLE 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, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the GLE is much safer than the RX:

The Mercedes GLE (with optional crash prevention) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 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 RX is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

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 has more powerful engines than the RX:

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes GLE is faster than the Lexus RX:

The GLE 450e can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 50 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 GLE and the RX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All GLEs 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.

The GLE 450e’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 450+’s standard fuel tank (17.2 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The GLE’s standard fuel tank has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 350’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 17.8 gallons).

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

For better stopping power the GLE’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the RX:

The GLE stops much shorter than the RX:

For better traction, the GLE has larger standard tires than the RX (255/50R19 vs. 235/60R19). The GLE 580’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. 235/60R19).

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 RX’s standard 60 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 RX’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLE 580 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The RX’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

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 RX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The GLE 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 RX 350h suspension doesn’t offer rear gas-charged shocks.

The GLE 450/580 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 RX.

The GLE has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLE’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The RX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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 RX 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 RX (117.9 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The GLE 450 handles at .84 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 GLE 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the RX 350h (27 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GLE Airmatic has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RX 350h (9.2 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the GLE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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 RX (.35) 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 while under full throttle, the interior of the GLE 450 is quieter than the RX 450h+ Luxury (70 vs. 72 dB).

The GLE offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the RX can only carry 5.

The GLE has 1 inch more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 3.5 inches more rear legroom and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the RX.

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 29.6 cubic feet). The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

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

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (7700 vs. 0 pounds).

The engine in the GLE 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.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLE 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 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 RX doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

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

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 RX.

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