2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS in its base GLS 450 form presented a more subtle and less flashy look compared to its competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, Land Rover Range Rover, or Lincoln Navigator. Mercedes avoided a gaudy grille, unlike the BMW X7 or Lexus LX. However, other GLS models offered more visual drama. The AMG GLS 63 performance model featured flared wheel arches, a muscular grille, prominent rectangular exhaust tips, and AMG-specific 21-inch wheels. The Maybach version was adorned with chrome everywhere, including the grille, window trim, and front-bumper mesh, and came with a traditional-looking hood ornament and power running boards, available with massive 23-inch wheels.

The interior of the GLS 450 felt luxurious with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting, even though it lacked reclining seats. The intricate speaker grilles and rectangular air vents added a rugged touch. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen housed under one piece of glass were well integrated into the upright dashboard. Overall, the GLS 450’s interior felt high quality and appropriate for a luxury SUV, even if it was a bit subdued for some tastes.

The 2023 Lexus GX had a distinctive visual presence with its huge spindle grille, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and a total height of 74.2 inches. The front end looked ready to dominate the road, framed by massive headlights. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, limited to 3,000 units and available in three paint colors: Obsidian, Eminent White Pearl, and Nori Green Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX’s dimensions seemed to shrink when viewed from the side, with a short 109.8-inch wheelbase and minimal overhangs, making it look engineered for off-road capabilities.

The interior of the GX was a mix of luxury and practicality. While it had a disappointing amount of plastic material, it also featured heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery. The GX’s design leaned sleeker compared to Toyota’s blocky designs, and the hood fell away from sight sooner, making it easier to place in technical driving. Despite its age, Lexus continued to improve the GX’s driving dynamics, offering a predictable and controllable roll through corners and strong, solid brakes.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 was powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes’ EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. The gasoline engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with an electric motor adding 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque in short bursts. The electric motor also served as the starter and powered most accessories, reducing the engine’s workload. The GLS 450’s six-cylinder engine provided ample power, and the electric assist was well integrated, making it a smooth and powerful ride.

Mercedes was expected to resume production of the GLS 580 4Matic, AMG GLS 63, and Maybach GLS 600 4Matic, all featuring a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, producing up to 603 hp in the AMG version. All GLS models came with standard 4Matic all-wheel drive, with a performance-tuned drivetrain for the AMG GLS 63. The GLS 450 had a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which was competitive but not the highest in its class. The air suspension provided a comfortable ride but exhibited poor body control, bouncing over bumps and leaning in corners.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The naturally aspirated V8 offered a linear rise in power and a satisfying engine note. However, on paper, it didn’t compete well with more modern engines like Toyota’s 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid, which offered significantly more power and better fuel economy. The GX had a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds, which was respectable but not class-leading.

The GX’s weight affected its handling, causing it to roll through corners, but the roll was predictable and controllable. The steering was vague off-center, but the brakes were strong and solid, capable of handling the vehicle’s weight. The GX featured a Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential, distributing the standard four-wheel drive system into a 40:60 front:rear split, adjustable based on wheel slip. This made the GX more user-friendly in various driving conditions, including off-road.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, featuring a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat and two third-row seats. An optional six-seat version replaced the second-row bench with individual captain’s chairs. The second-row seats could slide forward and fold for access to the third row, and the standard bench seat could slide fore and aft as one piece, increasing legroom by 3.4 inches. 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 GLS had a fairly long wheelbase, providing excellent second-row legroom, and was competitive in other measurements. Cargo space was slightly behind larger competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, but Mercedes made loading and unloading easy with one-touch power-folding seats and a power tailgate. The air suspension could lower the vehicle for easier access to the cargo area. However, the touchscreen was too far away to reach easily, and the center console had grab handles with no obvious purpose.

The 2023 Lexus GX retained plenty of cubby space for small items, with a deep center console bin, a handy space ahead of the shifter for a phone, and conveniently placed cupholders. The GX featured hard buttons for controls, which was a blessing for those put off by touchscreens. The center console lid had sliding mechanisms, allowing the armrest to be adjusted for different-sized drivers and passengers. The second row was comfortable, with captain’s chairs featuring fold-out cupholders, and a three-across bench seat was standard.

The third row in the GX was too tight for regular use, even for children, making it more suitable as a two-row SUV with extra seats for emergencies. The side-hinged trunk door required muscle to open and offered only 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. With the third row folded, the GX provided 46.7 cubic feet of cargo space, and with both the second and third rows folded, it offered 64.7 cubic feet, less than a Toyota RAV4.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with 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. A 13-speaker Burmester audio system was standard, with a head-up display as an option. Users had multiple control options, including voice recognition, a touchpad controller, small touchpads on the steering wheel, and the touchscreen itself.

The voice recognition system, responding to “Hey Mercedes,” was the easiest to use, understanding normal speech well. The touchpad controller was too sensitive and difficult to use, making the touchscreen a better option. The graphics on both the touchscreen and instrument cluster were good, but the GLS lacked the augmented-reality navigation feature available in the latest S-Class sedan. The embedded navigation system also had issues, suggesting routes that added unnecessary time to trips.

The 2023 Lexus GX’s infotainment technology, revamped for the 2022 model year, already looked dated compared to other Lexus models. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was a significant improvement, sitting high on the dash and including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface (RTI) was still present but unnecessary due to the improved touchscreen. The GX included three years of Lexus Enform Remote, a remote-start feature operable from a smartphone, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo with a CD player.

Despite the new touchscreen, the GX’s tech offerings lagged behind other Lexus models. The touchscreen was slow, and the graphics were not as crisp as those in competing models. The GX’s strength lay in its off-road capability, with a real 4WD system, a two-speed transfer case, low range, and a locking center differential. Additional off-road features included downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, stability control, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS). The Off-Road Package added a multi-terrain monitor, transmission cooler, fuel-tank protection, crawl control, and a multi-terrain select system.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came with 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, which prepared the vehicle for a rollover. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, second-row side airbags, and advanced driver-assistance features like Active Steering Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Trailer Stability Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Active Emergency Stop Assist. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Despite its older engineering, Lexus included advanced driver assistance systems, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. The GX lacked some top-end features like lane-tracing assist and road-sign recognition but still offered a good level of safety technology.