Compare the2026 Mercedes GLSVS 2026 Lexus GX

The GLS’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The GX 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 GX doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or 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 GX uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the GLS and the GX 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, 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 third among large premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The GX isn’t in the top three in its category.

The GLS 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 26 more horsepower (375 vs. 349) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6. The GLS 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 161 more horsepower (510 vs. 349) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 479) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6. The Maybach GLS 600’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 201 more horsepower (550 vs. 349) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 479) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the GLS 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lexus GX:

	GLS	GX
Zero to 60 MPH	5.5 sec	6.9 sec
Quarter Mile	14 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99.8 MPH	91.1 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the GLS 450 gets better fuel mileage than the GX 550 (19 city/24 hwy vs. 15 city/21 hwy).

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the GLS’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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

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

	GLS	GX
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13.9 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	12.6 inches

The GLS stops much shorter than the GX:

	GLS	GX
70 to 0 MPH	154 feet	180 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	143 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

For better traction, the GLS has larger standard tires than the GX (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 265/55R20). The GLS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (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 GX 550 Overtrail’s standard 70 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 GX’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 GX 550 Overtrail. The GLS’ optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the GX.

The front and rear suspension of the GLS uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the GX, 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 GX.

The GLS has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLS’ 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 GX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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 GX 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 GX (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 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the GX.

The GLS 450 handles at .92 G’s, while the GX 550 Overtrail+ pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Maybach GLS 600 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the GX 550 Luxury+ (26.5 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Maybach GLS 600’s turning circle is 3.7 feet tighter than the GX’s (35.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the GLS has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GX 550 Premium (10.1 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the GLS to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLS Off-Road Package’s minimum ground clearance is 1.5 inches higher than on the GX 550 Overtrail (11.3 vs. 9.8 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 GX doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The GLS has 5.2 inches more rear legroom, 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.4 inches more third row headroom and 2.7 inches more third row legroom than the GX.

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

	GLS	GX
Behind Third Seat	17.4 cubic feet	10.3 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	42.7 cubic feet	40.2 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.7 cubic feet	76.9 cubic feet

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the GLS’ second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The GX doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

While the GX Luxury+ can only tow 7601, any GLS can tow a minimum of 7700 pounds.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the GX, the GLS has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, suspension setting, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLS’ standard easy entry system 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 GX.

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 GX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The GX’s optional 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 GX 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 GX.

The GLS has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The GX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

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 GX doesn’t offer a third row rear seat center armrest.

Both the GLS and the GX offer available massaging front seats. The GLS also offers optional massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the GX.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLS has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the GX. The GLS also offers Qi charging in the second row seat. The GX doesn’t offer wireless charging in its second row seat.

The GLS’ Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The GX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.