Compare the2026 Mercedes GLAVS 2026 Lexus NX

The GLA’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The NX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The GLA’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The NX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The GLA offers an optional Post Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The NX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the GLA and the NX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 57 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GLA’s warranty.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mercedes GLA is faster than the Lexus NX:

On the EPA test cycle the GLA 250 4MATIC gets better fuel mileage than the NX 350 running its gasoline engine (25 city/33 hwy vs. 21 city/28 hwy).

Both the GLA and the NX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All GLAs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The NX 350h/450h+ doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The GLA offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The NX doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The GLA stops shorter than the NX:

The GLA’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NX’s standard 60 series tires. The GLA’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the NX’s optional 50 series tires.

The GLA’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The NX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLA’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the NX (107.4 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

The GLA 250 4MATIC handles at .80 G’s, while the NX 450h+ Premium AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GLA 250 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the NX 450h+ Premium AWD (27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the GLA’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the NX’s (37.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

The Mercedes GLA may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 750 pounds less than the Lexus NX.

The GLA is 9.9 inches shorter than the NX, making the GLA easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Mercedes GLA amounts to more than styling. The GLA has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .3 Cd. That is significantly lower than the NX (.34 to .35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLA get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the GLA uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The NX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The GLA has .7 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front hip room, 1.9 inches more rear legroom, 4.8 inches more rear hip room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.

The GLA has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (50.5 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the GLA easier. The GLA’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.2 inches, while the NX’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the NX, the GLA has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLA’s standard easy entry and exit feature glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the NX.

The power windows standard on both the GLA and the NX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GLA is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The NX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the GLA the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the NX can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLA to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The NX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The NX Luxury/450+ F Sport’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The GLA’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Mercedes GLA has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Lexus charges extra for Homelink® on the NX.

The GLA has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The NX doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.