Compare the2026 Mercedes GLSVS 2026 Lexus TX

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

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GLS. But it costs extra on the TX.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The GLS has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The TX doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the GLS and the TX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert 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 GLS’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GLS third among large premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The TX isn’t in the top three in its category.

The GLS has more powerful engines than the TX:

As tested in Motor Trend the GLS 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lexus TX:

The GLS has 9.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the TX 550h+’s standard fuel tank (23.8 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The GLS has 6 gallons more fuel capacity than the TX 350’s standard fuel tank (23.8 vs. 17.8 gallons).

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the TX.

For better stopping power the GLS’ standard brake rotors are larger than those on the TX:

The GLS stops much shorter than the TX:

For better traction, the GLS has larger standard tires than the TX (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 255/55R20). The GLS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the TX (F:285/40R23 & R:325/35R23 vs. 255/55R20).

The GLS’ standard 275/45R21 front and 315/40R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the TX’s standard 55 series tires. The GLS’ optional 285/40R23 front and 325/35R23 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the TX’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLS has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the TX. The GLS’ optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the TX.

The front and rear suspension of the GLS uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the TX, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The GLS offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lexus doesn’t offer an active suspension on the TX.

The GLS has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLS’ height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The TX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The GLS’ 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 TX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLS’ wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the TX (123.4 inches vs. 116.1 inches).

The GLS 450 handles at .92 G’s, while the TX 550h+ Luxury pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Maybach GLS 600 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the TX 350 Luxury (26.5 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GLS has a 2.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the TX 550h+ Luxury (10.1 vs. 7.7 inches), allowing the GLS to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLS Off-Road Package’s minimum ground clearance is 3.3 inches higher than on the TX 500h F Sport Performance Premium (11.3 vs. 8 inches).

The GLS’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the TX’s (7700 vs. 5000 pounds).

The engine in the GLS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the TX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the TX Premium/Luxury/F Sport, the GLS has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, suspension setting, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

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

The TX Luxury/F Sport’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The GLS’ standard 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.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the GLS has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The TX doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The GLS has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Lexus doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the TX.

The GLS offers an optional center folding armrest for the third row rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and can provide a barrier between children. The TX doesn’t offer a third row rear seat center armrest.

The GLS offers optional massaging front and second row seats, which keep the driver and middle row passengers. Massaging seats aren’t available in the TX.