2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 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 introduce any new styling changes, but it did make silver 18-inch wheels standard on the Premium trim level. Despite its age, the GX’s tough, aggressive look remained distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior did not meet modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic, though it did offer standard leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 presented a more subtle and less flashy look compared to its competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. Mercedes avoided a gaudy grille, opting for a more refined design. The AMG GLS 63 and Maybach versions offered more visual drama with features like flared wheel arches, chrome accents, and larger wheels. The interior of the GLS 450, even in its basic form, felt luxurious with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen were well-integrated, framed nicely by the upright dashboard. Overall, the GLS 450’s interior exuded quality and luxury, though it might have been too subdued for some tastes.

The 2021 Lexus GX 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. The GX 460 could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, but its 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring 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 optional Off-Road Package added even more features for tackling rough terrain. The GX 460 had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, assisted by the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. The gasoline engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with the electric motor adding 21 hp and 184 lb-ft in short bursts. The six-cylinder engine provided ample power, and the electric assist was well-integrated. The GLS 450’s air suspension could raise and lower the ride height, but the ride quality was marred by poor body control, with excessive bouncing and leaning in corners. The GLS 450 had a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which was competitive but not class-leading.

The interior ergonomics of the 2021 Lexus GX betrayed its age. The upright dashboard and high center console left little legroom, and the steering wheel’s odd angle, combined with the tall seating position, made it feel like driving a bus. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console bins, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best reserved for children due to limited space and difficult access. Cargo space was also limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a more spacious and flexible interior. It came standard with a seven-seat configuration, with an optional six-seat version featuring captain’s chairs. The second-row seats could slide forward and fold for easier access to the third row, and the long wheelbase provided excellent second-row legroom. The GLS offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 84.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The air suspension could lower the vehicle for easier loading and unloading. However, the touchscreen was difficult to reach, and some ergonomic issues, like the center console grab handles, detracted from the overall experience.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, reflecting its decade-old design. It offered Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functionality. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to the screen-centric interfaces of other luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came equipped with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and natural-language voice recognition. The system offered multiple control options, including voice recognition, a touchpad controller, and small touchpads on the steering wheel. The voice recognition system was particularly effective, understanding normal speech well. However, the touchpad controller was overly sensitive and difficult to use. The graphics on both the touchscreen and instrument cluster were high-quality, though the navigation system had some quirks.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which included 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, it lacked some advanced safety features available in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera system, Crosswind Assist, parking assist, and Pre Safe. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, second-row side airbags, and advanced driver-assistance features like Active Steering Assist and Active Lane Change Assist. Despite the extensive list of standard features, some advanced options required additional payment.