2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2024 Lexus TX

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC retained its familiar design, ensuring it did not alienate its loyal fanbase. The redesign was subtle, with new taillights and repositioned door handles, but it maintained a resemblance to its predecessor. The headlights were narrower and more aggressive, while the taillights were connected by a trim piece, giving the rear a refreshed look. The GLC Coupe's steeply sloping profile remained its standout feature, with a fastback roof that barely formed a trunk. The grille differentiated the AMG models from the GLC 300, with the AMG featuring vertical bars reminiscent of a pinstriped baseball uniform. Inside, the GLC's interior was luxurious, with options like two-tone leather upholstery and a wood-and-metal dash treatment. The cabin was filled with screens, buttons, and ambient lighting, making it a gadget-heavy environment.

The 2024 Lexus TX, based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, presented itself as a luxury SUV with a more upscale appearance. The Luxury trim test model featured striking 22-inch wheels, enhancing its presence. The TX's styling was more conservative compared to other Lexus models, appealing to those who preferred a toned-down design. The TX came in three model series: TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid, with prices ranging from $55,050 to $69,350. The TX 350, likely the volume seller, offered a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with FWD or AWD. The Luxury trim added premium features like ambient lighting and semi-aniline leather upholstery. The interior, though dark, felt luxurious enough for the Lexus badge, with a habitable third-row seat that accommodated adults comfortably.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 43 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from AMG, producing an impressive 416 horsepower, surpassing the previous generation's 385 hp twin-turbo V6. The engine was supported by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, enhancing its performance. The base GLC 300, with 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, was less powerful but still competitive in its class. The GLC 300 offered RWD, with an optional AWD 4Matic model, while the GLC 43 came standard with AWD. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission, with the GLC 43 featuring the AMG Speedshift MCT 9-speed for faster shifts. The performance suspension provided improved handling, though it resulted in a firmer ride, making it less suitable for daily commuting.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. Lexus claimed it could accelerate to 60 mph in eight seconds, though it felt quicker due to its torque. The TX 350's performance was adequate, with a combined fuel economy rating of 23 mpg for the FWD model. The AWD option, costing $1,600, offered slightly better acceleration and improved traction in adverse conditions. The TX 350's suspension provided a balance between firmness and comfort, with commendable body motion control and accurate steering. The interior remained quiet on the highway, though the brake pedal felt soft in the pre-production test vehicle.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC's cabin was driver-focused, with controls angled toward the driver. The front seats offered standard heat and memory functions, with optional ventilation and heated rear seats. The GLC SUV provided 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 59.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The GLC Coupe, with its tighter interior, offered 17.6 cubic feet of cargo volume, expanding to 52.6 cubic feet. The power-folding rear seats added convenience, though the cargo space was not class-leading.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. The TX 350 Luxury model featured premium leather and suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row bench seat was standard, with optional captain's chairs. The third-row seat was habitable for adults, offering better comfort than previous models. The TX provided 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 57.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97 cubic feet with the second row down. The interior offered numerous storage options, though some lacked lining, potentially causing noise.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured an 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen running the MBUX infotainment system, known for its responsive voice command capabilities. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Exclusive trim added navigation, a Burmester 3D surround sound system, and an off-road dash display. The Pinnacle trim offered a head-up display and augmented reality navigation. Optional tech included an Advanced USB package, increasing USB-C ports from three to six.

The 2024 Lexus TX, equipped with the optional Technology Package, featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, surround-view camera, and semi-autonomous parking assist. The Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen, offered a digital assistant with natural voice recognition. The TX included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with additional subscriptions for Drive Connect, Service Connect, Safety Connect, Wi-Fi Connect, and Remote Connect. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay surround-sound system provided impressive audio quality.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with an "Acceptable" rating for the standard front crash-prevention system. Standard safety features included active brake assist, attention assist, blind-spot and exit warning assist, adaptive braking technology, and active parking assist. The Pre-Safe system prepared the vehicle for a collision by tightening seatbelts and closing windows. Optional safety features required the $1,950 Driver Assistance Package, adding adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, and active lane-keeping assist.

The 2024 Lexus TX came with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. Proactive Drive Assist provided braking and steering assistance, though it was not always smooth. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. Optional features included parking sensors with automatic braking, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist, which offered hands-free driving at low speeds on approved highways.