- The Mercedes-Benz GLE seats up to 7 with an optional third row; every Lexus RX seats 5.
- The Mercedes-Benz GLE tows up to 7,700 lbs — more than double the Lexus RX’s 3,500-lb rating.
- The Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e goes 49 miles on electric power; the Lexus RX 450h+ goes 38 miles. Only the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e supports 60 kW DC fast charging.
- The Lexus RX wins at the pump: the Lexus RX 350h returns 36 mpg combined vs. 21/28 mpg for the gas Mercedes-Benz GLE 350.
- The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE earns an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award; the 2026 Lexus RX earns a Poor rating in the updated moderate-overlap front test for rear-seat protection.
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE and Lexus RX both bring polished cabins and electrified powertrains to the midsize luxury SUV market. Similarities fade once you look at how much each can carry and tow. The Mercedes-Benz GLE offers an optional third row, substantially more cargo room, and more than twice the Lexus RX’s maximum towing capacity. For Kalamazoo families hauling kids, gear, and maybe the occasional boat, it’s the right choice.
Quick Comparison: 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs. 2026 Lexus RX at a Glance
The table below captures the key specification differences between the two lineups. Scroll down for a deeper look at each category.
| Spec | 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE | 2026 Lexus RX |
|---|---|---|
| Seating Capacity | 5–7 (3rd row available) | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | 40.9 in. | 37.4 in. |
| Cargo Space (behind 2nd row / max) | 33.3 / 74.9 cu ft | 29.6 / 46.2 cu ft |
| Max Towing | 7,700 lbs | 3,500 lbs |
| Base Engine | 2.0L turbo 4-cyl / 255 hp | 2.4L turbo 4-cyl / 275 hp |
| Base 0–60 mph | 7.0 sec (4MATIC) | 7.2 sec (AWD) |
| Top Performance Model | Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63 S — 603 hp | Lexus RX 500h F SPORT Performance — 366 hp |
| Most Efficient Gas/Hybrid Trim | Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 — 21/28 mpg | Lexus RX 350h — 36 mpg combined |
| PHEV Electric Range (EPA) | 49 miles (Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e) | 38 miles (Lexus RX 450h+) |
| DC Fast Charging | Yes — 60 kW (10–80% in 20 min) | No — Level 1/2 AC only |
| IIHS Rating (2026) | Top Safety Pick+ | Poor — moderate overlap front (rear seat) |
Performance: The Mercedes-Benz GLE Climbs Much Higher
Lexus seems to hold the power advantage at the entry level. Its Lexus RX 350 makes 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, compared with 255 hp and 295 lb-ft in the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350. Yet the Mercedes reaches 60 mph slightly sooner, taking 7.0 seconds with 4MATIC all-wheel drive against 7.2 seconds for the AWD Lexus RX.
Moving up the range shows Mercedes putting its performance knowledge to good use. The Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 uses a 375-hp turbocharged inline-six and reaches 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. A 510-hp V8 powers the Mercedes-Benz GLE 580, while the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63 S reaches 603 hp. Lexus, on the other hand, tops its lineup with the 366-hp Lexus RX 500h F SPORT Performance, which pairs DIRECT4 all-wheel drive with rear-wheel steering. No Lexus RX approaches the sheer power of the upper Mercedes-Benz GLE models.
Lexus makes its strongest case at the gas pump. The Lexus RX 350h hybrid returns an EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined, while the gasoline Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 is rated at 21 mpg city and 28 highway. The Mercedes answer to fuel costs is the plug-in Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e Goes Farther on Electricity
Mercedes rates the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e for 49 miles of electric driving, while the Lexus RX 450h+ provides 38 miles. An extra 11 miles can keep the gas engine off through a longer round of errands around Kalamazoo.
The plug-ins replay the performance contest, and this time the Mercedes wins on both power and pace. Its gas engine and electric motor produce 381 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, good for a 5.8-second run to 60 mph, while the 304-hp Lexus RX needs 6.2 seconds.
With its standard 60 kW DC connection, the Mercedes can move from a 10% charge to 80% in an estimated 20 minutes at a public fast charger. Lexus publishes Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging for the Lexus RX, with a full charge taking about 2.5 hours at 240 volts. The Lexus earns a higher MPGe rating, but the Mercedes-Benz GLE travels farther on each charge and gets back on the road in a fraction of the time when you charge away from home.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Has More Room for People, Cargo, and Trailers
The Mercedes-Benz GLE’s larger body pays off inside. Gas models can add a two-seat third row, raising capacity to seven, while every Lexus RX can only seat up to five. Second-row legroom measures 40.9 inches in the Mercedes against 37.4 inches in the Lexus, a 3.5-inch gap your back-seat passengers will notice on every longer drive.
Mercedes lists 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 74.9 cubic feet with it folded. Lexus publishes 29.6 and 46.2 cubic feet for the Lexus RX, leaving considerably more room in the Mercedes-Benz GLE for bulky loads.
Mercedes rates properly configured Mercedes-Benz GLE models at 7,700 pounds of towing capacity, more than double the 3,500-pound rating of a properly equipped Lexus RX and enough to bring along a heavier boat or travel trailer the Lexus would have to leave behind.
Lexus Brings the Bigger Screen, Mercedes the Richer Cabin
Every Lexus RX includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging, and its center touchscreen grows to an available 14 inches, the largest screen in either vehicle. Lexus also offers a head-up display, Remote Park, Traffic Jam Assist, and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.
Mercedes uses two 12.3-inch displays across the dashboard, pairing digital instruments with the MBUX touchscreen. Natural voice control handles everyday requests, and seven user profiles remember settings such as seat and mirror positions. A standard Surround View System helps in tight parking lots, while 64-color ambient lighting warms the cabin after dark. On longer drives, the available massage seats and Burmester audio are worthy additions.
IIHS Crash Testing Favors the Mercedes-Benz GLE
Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 includes adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, and a pre-collision system that can detect pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.
Standard Mercedes-Benz GLE safety equipment covers automatic emergency braking through Active Brake Assist, driver monitoring through ATTENTION ASSIST, PRE-SAFE occupant preparation, Surround View, and blind-spot monitoring with an exit warning. Its available Driver Assistance Package adds adaptive cruise control with steering and lane-change assistance.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety names the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE a Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with its optional pedestrian front-crash-prevention system. The 2026 Lexus RX receives several Good individual ratings, though it earns a Poor result in the updated moderate-overlap front test. That test gauges how well the second row protects its passengers in a frontal crash, and IIHS recorded poor rear-seat chest protection in the Lexus RX. Families who usually have someone riding in the back will want to weigh that result.
Which One Is Right for You?
Match your priorities to the right vehicle below. If multiple rows point the same direction, that’s your answer.
| If This Describes You… | Your Best Match |
|---|---|
| You need to seat 6 or 7 people | Mercedes-Benz GLE (available 3rd row) |
| You want maximum towing capacity | Mercedes-Benz GLE (7,700 lbs vs. 3,500 lbs) |
| You want the longest EV range from a PHEV | Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e (49 mi) |
| You want to fast-charge at a public charger | Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e (60 kW DC) |
| Fuel economy on gas/hybrid is the top priority | Lexus RX 350h (36 mpg combined) |
| You want the largest center touchscreen | Lexus RX (available 14-inch) |
| You want the highest-rated audio system | Lexus RX (21-speaker Mark Levinson) or Mercedes-Benz GLE (Burmester) |
| Rear-seat crash protection is a top concern | Mercedes-Benz GLE (2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+) |
| You want the highest performance ceiling | Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63 S (603 hp) |
| Comfort and cabin richness are the priority | Mercedes-Benz GLE (massage seats, ambient lighting, Burmester) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE seat more people than the Lexus RX?
Yes. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE offers an optional third row on gas-powered SUV models, raising seating capacity to seven. The 2026 Lexus RX is a five-passenger vehicle in every configuration — Lexus offers seven-seat capability on the larger Lexus RX L and TX models instead.
Can the Mercedes-Benz GLE tow more than the Lexus RX?
Yes, significantly. Properly configured 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE models are rated to tow up to 7,700 pounds. The 2026 Lexus RX tops out at 3,500 pounds. The Mercedes-Benz GLE’s advantage matters for larger boats, travel trailers, or campers that would exceed the Lexus RX’s capacity.
Which has longer electric range — the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e or the Lexus RX 450h+?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e has an EPA-estimated 49 miles of all-electric range, compared to 38 miles for the Lexus RX 450h+. The Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e also supports 60 kW DC fast charging, taking the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 20 minutes — a capability the Lexus RX 450h+ does not offer, which relies on Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging only.
Which is more fuel-efficient — the Mercedes-Benz GLE or the Lexus RX?
The Lexus RX wins on fuel economy. The Lexus RX 350h hybrid returns an EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined, while the gasoline Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 is rated at 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. For buyers prioritizing fuel costs over cargo room and towing, the Lexus RX hybrid is the more efficient daily driver.
How much cargo space does the Mercedes-Benz GLE have compared to the Lexus RX?
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE offers 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The 2026 Lexus RX offers 29.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 46.2 cubic feet with seats folded — meaningfully less room for bulky loads than the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
How did the 2026 Lexus RX perform in IIHS crash testing?
The 2026 Lexus RX earned several Good ratings from the IIHS but received a Poor result in the updated moderate-overlap front test, which evaluates second-row passenger protection. IIHS testing found an elevated risk of rear-seat chest injury in the Lexus RX. This rating applies to 2023–2026 Lexus RX models. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE, by comparison, earns an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award when equipped with its optional pedestrian front-crash-prevention system.
Which has the bigger touchscreen — the Mercedes-Benz GLE or Lexus RX?
The Lexus RX has the larger available touchscreen at 14 inches, the biggest screen in either vehicle. The Mercedes-Benz GLE uses two 12.3-inch displays side by side — one for the digital instrument cluster and one for the MBUX touchscreen — for a different but equally capable layout.
Is the fastest Lexus RX as quick as the fastest Mercedes-Benz GLE?
No. The Lexus RX 500h F SPORT Performance, the quickest Lexus RX available, makes 366 horsepower using DIRECT4 all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63 S reaches 603 horsepower — no Lexus RX trim comes close to that output.
See It for Yourself in Kalamazoo
The way the Mercedes-Benz GLE rides on available AIRMATIC, the hush of the cabin at 70 mph on I-94, and the easy step into the available third row — these things land best from the driver’s seat. Schedule a test drive at our Kalamazoo showroom and put a 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE through its paces on the roads you know.
Serving Kalamazoo, Portage, Battle Creek, Paw Paw, Plainwell, and Allegan — and across Southwest Michigan.
