2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. Retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several updates over the years, including the addition of Lexus’ trademark spindle grille in 2014, which was further refined in 2020 with a new textured insert and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t see any new styling changes, but it did come with standard silver 18-inch wheels on the Premium trim level, with 19-inch wheels available as an option. Despite its age, the GX’s tough, aggressive look remained distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers.

However, the interior of the GX did not meet the standards of a modern luxury SUV. The wood trim in the Premium test car felt like molded plastic, and there was an abundance of actual plastic throughout the cabin. While leather upholstery was standard, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim level, the overall interior quality felt dated. The upright dashboard and high center console left little legroom, and the steering wheel’s odd angle, combined with the tall seating position, made the driving experience feel somewhat bus-like.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe, on the other hand, presented a more modern and athletic aesthetic. Our test vehicle, with its Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork, looked sleek and stylish, reminiscent of an athletic sneaker from a front three-quarter perspective. Despite Mercedes shelving many of its V8-powered models for 2022, the AMG GLE 53 Coupe still offered a robust performance with its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine.

Inside, the AMG GLE 53 Coupe was as luxurious as expected, featuring high-end materials and a high-tech appearance with dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment design. The Nappa premium leather, Dinamica simulated suede headliner and steering wheel, and brushed aluminum trim added a touch of elegance to the otherwise dark cabin. Ambient lighting enhanced the driving experience at night, making the interior feel even more sumptuous. However, the lack of traditional controls or clear markings made it challenging for newcomers to navigate the vehicle’s technology.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 kept things simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the V8 provided ample grunt for moving away from a stop, with a zero to 60 mph time of 7.8 seconds, the GX’s 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds. Merging and overtaking required careful planning, and bringing the SUV to a stop also demanded more advanced planning than modern vehicles. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners.

Despite its on-road shortcomings, the GX 460 excelled in off-road capability. Equipped with a Torsen center differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist, the GX was well-suited for off-road adventures. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, multi-view camera system, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance and respectable approach, departure, and break-over angles, the GX was a formidable off-road vehicle. It also had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds, with stability control including a trailer-sway control function.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe, powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, offered robust acceleration. The engine featured EQ Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that added extra power when needed and helped conserve fuel. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 19 mpg, with our test vehicle achieving 18.5 mpg. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe also boasted a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and an AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system with fully variable torque distribution.

The AMG Dynamic Select system offered multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Slippery, Individual, and Off-road, while the AMG sport exhaust system enhanced the engine’s performance. The AMG Active Ride Control suspension with active roll stabilization and AMG Performance brakes further maximized performance. In urban settings, the GLE Coupe’s speed-sensitive variable-ratio power steering made maneuvering easy, and the tight turning radius facilitated stress-free U-turns. However, the optional AMG Performance braking system made smooth stops challenging in traffic.

On the road, the GLE Coupe felt taut, nimble, and composed, with a comfortable and quiet ride on the highway. Switching to Sport+ mode, the SUV demonstrated its performance capabilities, handling winding roads with ease and maintaining grip and stability. The AMG Active Ride Control suspension effectively managed body motions, while the performance-oriented tires and upgraded brakes ensured confident handling. Despite its size and weight, the GLE Coupe delivered an engaging driving experience, especially in Sport mode on less demanding roads.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console that limited legroom. The steering wheel’s odd angle and the tall seating position contributed to a bus-like driving experience. However, the dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, particularly the low side glass, which was helpful for parking and off-road driving. The center-console storage bin, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders were small, and the second-row cupholders took up a lot of space in the fold-down armrest.

The GX came standard with three rows of seating for seven, with the option to swap the second-row bench for captain’s chairs. The power-folding third row was available on the Premium trim with the Premium Plus Package and standard on the Luxury trim. However, accessing the third row was challenging, and it was best reserved for children. The GX offered more first-row legroom on paper than the Land Rover Discovery, but it wasn’t particularly generous. The Discovery also had more second-row legroom and nearly the same headroom.

Lexus quoted 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, significantly less than the Discovery’s 73.0 cubic feet. With the third row up, the GX’s cargo space was minimal, making it more practical as a two-row SUV with occasional third-row use.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe technically held up to five people, but it was more comfortable for four, especially if the rear passengers were adults. The sport-bolstered, multi-contour front seats offered numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage, ensuring comfort on long drives and support during spirited driving. Forward visibility was adequate, but rear visibility was limited, necessitating the use of available cameras.

The GLE Coupe’s back seat provided ample legroom and foot space for adults, and the 27.5 cubic-foot cargo hold was generously sized. Folding the second-row seats expanded the cargo volume to 63.2 cubic feet. While the GLE Coupe offered less space than the regular GLE, the luxurious interior and advanced features compensated for the reduced cargo capacity.

Available comfort upgrades included heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, a four-zone automatic climate control system, a Warmth and Comfort Package with heated armrests and rapid-heating front seats, and an Air Balance in-cabin fragrance system, adding to the overall luxury experience.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, reflecting its decade-old design. Standard features included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility were absent. The GX had two USB ports for each of the first two rows, but none for the third row. An available 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system provided a premium sound experience.

The standard infotainment system was outdated, with graphics reminiscent of the 1990s and limited functionality. Below the main screen was a display for time and temperature, using a seven-segment format like a digital clock. However, Lexus included analog controls for nearly everything, with large shortcut buttons for the screen’s menus, offering a refreshing alternative to the screen-centric interfaces of other luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe came standard with the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens under a single piece of glass, including a digital instrument cluster and touchscreen. Standard features included a navigation system, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Mercedes Me connected services, wireless smartphone charging, and a Burmester surround-sound audio system.

MBUX was user-friendly, with beautifully rendered graphics, logical menu structures, and multiple interaction methods, making it easy to use despite its complexity. The natural voice recognition technology, activated by saying “Hey Mercedes,” worked effectively, similar to Alexa, Google, or Siri. However, the touchpad on the center console was easy to activate inadvertently, which could be frustrating.

Optional features included an MBUX Interior Assistant with gesture recognition, an augmented video feature for navigation, a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and an upgraded Burmester 3D high-end surround-sound system, enhancing the overall tech experience.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, it came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle of driver aids, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some safety features available in other Lexus and non-luxury Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist automated lane centering.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe was equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. It also featured Pre Safe Sound, which emitted a “pink noise” tone through the stereo speakers just before a collision to protect hearing during an impact. The Emergency Call Service, accessible via the SOS button on the overhead console, was free and available for the vehicle’s lifetime.

The optional Driver Assistance Package added 15 additional systems related to driver support and collision avoidance, including Traffic Jam Assist, which provided steering assistance in low-speed traffic situations. The package also included Active Lane Change Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist, and route-based speed adaptation for adaptive cruise control. While crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.