In a market segment where comfort, power, and innovation are all expected, if not demanded, the Lexus RX and the Mercedes-Benz GLE continue to raise the bar in very different ways. Both midsize luxury SUVs offer a refined mix of performance and practicality, but they differ sharply in how they deliver their premium experiences.
Lexus emphasizes its strengths—quiet refinement, smart efficiency, and a smooth driving experience. The RX lineup offers a wide variety of powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder and several hybrid options, like the sporty RX 500h and the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) RX 450h+. Inside, Lexus’s SUV prioritizes ease of use, featuring a clean cabin layout and physical controls that focus on user comfort over advanced technology.
Mercedes-Benz, on the other hand, makes a bold leap into the future with the GLE. Its powertrain options are even more extensive than the RX, with mild hybrid technology included throughout. The GLE’s interior serves as a tech showcase, featuring artificial intelligence, gesture controls, and one of the most advanced driver assistance packages in its class.
While the RX emphasizes quiet confidence and user-friendly luxury, the GLE aims to stand out with advanced tech and a dominant presence. Meanwhile, its third-row option and segment-leading cargo space reveal a practical side beneath the digital exterior.
Both models serve buyers’ needs, but they do so in different ways: one emphasizes simplicity and comfort, while the other highlights power and innovation. Here's how they compare.
2025 Lexus RX 350 Premium
The extensive 2025 Lexus RX lineup offers a variety of trim levels and powertrain options. Gasoline-powered models include the RX 350, RX 350 Premium, RX 350 Premium+, RX 350 Luxury, RX 350 F Sport Design, and RX 350 F Sport Handling AWD.
Hybrid shoppers can choose from RX 350h AWD trims, including Premium, Premium+, Luxury, and F Sport Design, as well as the performance-oriented RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD and RX 500h Black Line Special Edition. The RX 450h+ Luxury AWD is the only PHEV option.
Pricing starts with the front wheel drive (FWD) RX 350, which has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $50,575. The plug-in RX 450h+ is at the top of the lineup, beginning at $72,710. Prices include the $1,450 destination charge.
For 2025, all Lexus RX SUVs come with complimentary roadside assistance for four years, with no mileage limit. Additionally, LexusCare provides no-cost scheduled maintenance for the first 10,000 miles. Each RX also comes with a three-year Lexus Safety Connect subscription, plus 10 years of Service Connect. A built-in Wi-Fi hotspot is available and includes a free 30-day or 3-gigabyte trial.
For the 2026 model year, the Mercedes-Benz GLE comes in seven distinct variants: GLE 350, GLE 350 4Matic, GLE 450 4Matic, GLE 450e 4Matic, GLE 580 4Matic, AMG GLE 53 4Matic+, and AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+. The GLE 350 is the only rear wheel drive (RWD) version of the SUV, while all other trims feature standard 4Matic all wheel drive (AWD). Starting prices range from $63,500 for the base GLE 350 to a suggested price of $133,050 for the high-performance AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+. Prices include the $1,250 destination charge.
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE offers complimentary roadside assistance for four years or 50,000 miles. However, Mercedes-Benz does not include free scheduled maintenance. The GLE features the Mercedes-Benz app and Mercedes Me connected services for one year. The available Wi-Fi hotspot requires a subscription.
Advantage: Lexus RX
Why? The Lexus RX tends to be much less expensive.
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE
The Lexus RX ranks second in the Midsize Premium SUV segment in the JD Power 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which assesses owner-reported problems during the third year of ownership.
The RX also ranks second (in a tie) in its segment in the JD Power 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), which tracks problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days.
The 2025 Lexus RX comes with a standard warranty of four years or 50,000 miles, a powertrain warranty of six years or 70,000 miles, and an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty for the hybrid vehicle system.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE does not rank among the top three models in the Upper Midsize Premium SUV segment in either the 2025 VDS or the 2025 IQS. The GLE provides a standard limited warranty and powertrain coverage for four years or 50,000 miles.
Advantage: Lexus RX
Why? The RX provides better initial quality and vehicle dependability, along with a longer powertrain warranty.
2025 Lexus RX 350 Premium
For 2025, the Lexus RX continues to offer buyers a range of powertrain options, including gasoline-only, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid configurations. The gas-powered RX 350 is equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 275 horsepower.
The RX 350h hybrid pairs a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with dual electric motors to deliver a total system horsepower of 246. In comparison, the high-performance RX 500h features a turbocharger, which boosts the same setup to a total of 366 hp. The RX 450h+ PHEV combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors to generate 302 hp and provides an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-estimated all-electric driving range of 37 miles.
Fuel efficiency varies depending on the configuration: the RX 350 gets 25 mpg combined, the RX 350h is estimated at 36 mpg combined, and the RX 500h gets 27 mpg combined. As of this writing, the EPA has not yet released fuel-economy figures for the RX 450h+ PHEV.
Inside, the five-seat Lexus RX offers 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 46.2 cubic feet when the 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench is fully folded down. Towing capacity is rated at up to 3,500 pounds for most RX models.
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE offers a range of engine and drivetrain options. The GLE 350 and GLE 350 4Matic models feature a turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that produces 255 hp. The GLE 450 features a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that produces 375 hp, while the GLE 450e 4Matic combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a PHEV system, delivering 381 hp.
The GLE 580 4Matic is equipped with a 510-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine. The AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ has a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 429 hp, and the AMG GLE 63 S is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 delivering 603 hp.
The base Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined, while the GLE 350 4Matic gets a 22-mpg combined estimate. The GLE 450 4Matic gets 21 mpg combined, while the plug-in hybrid GLE 450e 4Matic is estimated to deliver 60 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) as a PHEV. The GLE 580 4Matic has a 17-mpg combined rating, the AMG GLE 534Matic+ is estimated to deliver 20 mpg in combined driving, and the AMG GLE 63 S is rated at 16 mpg combined.
Passengers in the Mercedes-Benz GLE will enjoy a carefully designed interior that provides plenty of space for five people. The vehicle is also available as a seven-passenger, three-row model, though the third row is quite snug and offers limited luggage capacity. In contrast, the five-passenger GLE’s cargo area is particularly spacious. It provides 33.3 cubic feet of storage behind the second row and 74.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down. The GLE can tow up to 7,700 pounds.
Advantage: Mercedes-Benz GLE
Why? The GLE offers more space and a wider range of powertrains.
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE
At this point, it is reasonable for any consumer to expect a brand new vehicle to come with the following safety features:
So, how do the RX and GLE stack up? Let's take a look.
Lexus equips every 2025 RX with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Along with the standard ADAS features, the system offers more advanced capabilities such as Proactive Driving Assist, which can provide light braking and steering support to help maintain safe distances from pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles.
It also includes Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, also known as automatic emergency steering, and Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection/Braking—referred to as intersection automatic emergency braking—that can warn the driver and automatically apply brakes if a left turn collision is imminent.
Regarding safety ratings, the 2025 RX received a top five-star overall crash-test score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the RX a "Good" rating in two of the three assessed crashworthiness categories. However, it was not named a “Top Safety Pick” for the 2025 calendar year.
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE offers a wide range of standard ADAS features, including a driver monitoring system, a safe exit assistance system, and active parking assistance, beyond the basics. Its optional ADAS options are even more extensive, featuring adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency steering, active blind spot warning, automatic emergency stop assistance, lane change assist, and automatic lane change.
Other available systems include route-based speed assist, speed limit assist, traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and turning and front cross-traffic warning.
The IIHS named the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE a “Top Safety Pick+” for the 2025 calendar year, but has not extended that rating into 2026. The NHTSA has not issued a rating for the Mercedes-Benz GLE since the 2022 model year.
Advantage: Mercedes-Benz GLE
Why? The GLE’s standard and optional ADAS exceed expectations.
2025 Lexus RX 350 F Sport Handling AWD
The 2025 Lexus RX comes standard with a 9.8-inch touchscreen, with a 14-inch optional display available on Premium trims and standard on Premium+ and higher trim levels. Its infotainment system is designed for ease of use, featuring a smartphone-style interface, clearly marked icons, and a convenient physical volume knob. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Every 2025 RX comes with a three-year Lexus Safety Connect trial, which offers services such as stolen-vehicle tracking, GPS-enabled roadside assistance, and automatic emergency response. Service Connect is also included for up to 10 years and provides remote access to vehicle health reports through the Lexus app. Additionally, a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot is available with a complimentary 30-day or 3-gigabyte trial.
The optional Mark Levinson 21-speaker audio system integrates with the available 14-inch touchscreen and Drive Connect. It supports cloud-based features like live traffic updates, current maps, and Google-sourced points of interest. The Intelligent Assistant enables natural voice commands and allows access to live agents who can send destinations directly to the vehicle's navigation system.
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE features a high-tech cabin centered around the MBUX infotainment system, which is accompanied by two 12.3-inch digital screens positioned side by side. In addition to standard infotainment features, the AI-powered system responds to natural voice commands and learns the individual driver's habits over time. Owners can manage their personal profiles through the Mercedes-Benz app on iOS and Android devices, and fingerprint recognition provides an added layer of security.
Mercedes Me connected services offer GLE owners remote door lock and unlock, weather updates, parking spot locator, stolen vehicle recovery, vehicle tracking, and geofencing, free for the first year. Additional subscription options include real-time traffic updates, online music, map updates, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
An available built-in dashcam records forward-facing footage, and the Guard 360 system notifies owners through their smartphones if the vehicle is disturbed while parked. The GLE 4Matic models feature a “transparent hood” function that displays a real-time virtual image of the terrain beneath the vehicle on the display screen.
Advantage: Mercedes-Benz GLE
Why? The GLE provides highly advanced infotainment and technology features, whereas the RX system’s main advantage is simplicity.
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE
The Lexus RX has long been a dominant force in the luxury SUV market, and the brand remains committed to maintaining its position. To do this, Lexus offers a wide range of powertrain options, each providing the smooth, capable performance that RX buyers expect. The RX 500h adds a touch of sportiness that was previously missing from the RX lineup.
Comfort and convenience stay at the heart of the RX experience. All five passengers enjoy a refined, plush cabin crafted with high quality materials and meticulous attention to detail. Its infotainment system might not be as advanced as some European competitors, but that simplicity can be a benefit for many buyers in this segment. The interface is user friendly, with physical knobs and buttons for essential functions that remove the need to scroll through touchscreen menus.
In its ongoing effort to compete with its luxury SUV rivals, the Mercedes-Benz GLE dives headfirst into highly advanced technology. In terms of powertrains, the GLE offers a turbocharged four-cylinder, a turbocharged six-cylinder, a twin-turbocharged V8, and a plug-in hybrid, utilizing mild hybrid technology on several models. But that is just the beginning. Its ADAS is top level, and its infotainment systems feature artificial intelligence, machine learning, and gesture control—technologies that some other luxury brands seem hesitant to adopt.
On the more practical side, the GLE is very accommodating, well finished, and genuinely useful. The midsize crossover is one of the few in its class to offer a third row, and while those seats aren't particularly comfortable, they do provide extra space for two more passengers. The GLE also has one of the largest cargo areas in its segment, and the SUV doesn't feel big or unwieldy on the road. Its tech may seem overwhelming, but it remains a very strong competitor in a highly competitive category.
Advantage: Mercedes-Benz GLE
Why? If you're on a budget, the RX is the better choice. However, if you can spend more, the GLE comes with additional features.
To learn more about these premium midsize SUVs, read our expert reviews of the Lexus RX, Lexus RX PHEV, and the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53. To see how consumers rate these models, check out our ratings from verified vehicle owners.
Additionally, please note that while the information in this article was accurate and current as of July 22, 2025, it may have changed since then. Always verify product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
Jack R. Nerad has reviewed cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs for over three decades. He also managed the editorial efforts of MotorTrend, JD Power, and Kelley Blue Book. Jack currently hosts the Sports Byline Network program "America on the Road," available on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Audacy, Amazon Music, and other platforms.
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