Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the RM540,112 cheaper Mercedes-Benz GLS is the more rounded seven-seat luxury SUV on paper: it reaches 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, has a 3,135-mm wheelbase and brings AIRMATIC air suspension, 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go. The Lexus LX counters with a 415-hp, 650-Nm 3.4-litre petrol-hybrid powertrain and a longer five-year unlimited-mileage warranty. But its 2,840-kg kerb weight, 6.5-second sprint and RM2,352 annual road tax make the price premium difficult to justify on these figures alone.
Pick the Lexus LX if you want the stronger 415-hp, 650-Nm petrol-hybrid powertrain and an extra year of unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLS if you want to save RM540,112 while getting quicker acceleration, a 285-mm longer wheelbase and a far more fully specified cabin and driver-assistance package.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LX RM1,540,000; Mercedes-Benz GLS RM999,888.
- Power and torque: Lexus LX 415 hp and 650 Nm; Mercedes-Benz GLS 362 hp and 500 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: Lexus LX 6.5 seconds and 210 km/h; Mercedes-Benz GLS 6.1 seconds and 250 km/h.
- Wheelbase and weight: Lexus LX 2,850 mm and 2,840 kg; Mercedes-Benz GLS 3,135 mm and 2,385 kg.
- Warranty: Lexus LX five years unlimited mileage; Mercedes-Benz GLS four years unlimited mileage.
- Annual road tax: Lexus LX RM2,352; Mercedes-Benz GLS RM1,638.
LX
- 415 hp and 650 Nm from its 3.4-litre petrol-hybrid powertrain.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- 10-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.
- Costs RM540,112 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLS.
- Slower to 100 km/h at 6.5 seconds versus 6.1 seconds.
- Carries 455 kg more and has RM714 higher annual road tax.
GLS
- RM540,112 lower purchase price.
- 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time and 250-km/h top speed.
- AIRMATIC adaptive air suspension, 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.
- 362 hp and 500 Nm trail the Lexus LX's 415 hp and 650 Nm.
- Four-year unlimited-mileage warranty is one year shorter than the Lexus LX's.
- Nine-speed automatic has one fewer ratio than the Lexus LX's 10-speed unit.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,540,000 | RM999,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Luxury | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,352 | RM1,638✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, twin-turbocharged with direct fuel injection, variable valve timing and electric hybrid module | 24-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, twin turbochargers and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 3,445 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 415 hp✓ | 362 hp |
| Torque | 650 Nm✓ | 500 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 49 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 250 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 10 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.5 seconds | 6.1 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 10 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 227 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,100 mm | 5,207 mm |
| Width | 1,990 mm | 2,157 mm |
| Height | 1,885 mm | 1,823 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 3,135 mm |
| Weight | 2,840 kg | 2,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 90 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | — | 355 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/50 R22 | 285/45R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/50 R22 | 285/45R22 |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | United States (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | — | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | — | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | — | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | — | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy |
| Steering | — | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | AIRMATIC with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | — | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, PRE-SAFE Brake, Full Auto Brake |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | — | Multibeam LED Projector |
| Taillamps | — | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | — | Power Adjustable Front Sports Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| Rear Seats | — | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Balance Perfume System and Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | — | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | — | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | — | 12.3" MBUX, COMAND Controller, Touchpad, Burmester Sound System with 13 Speakers (590W) and rear seat individual entertainment system, including two 11.6-inch monitors with wireless headphones, rear center armrest control/USB/audio interface |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | — | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | — | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | — | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | — | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Soft Close Function, All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | MBUX Interior Assistant, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used LX & GLS for sale
LX vs GLS FAQ
Is the Lexus LX or Mercedes-Benz GLS better?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is the better buy on these specifications. It costs RM540,112 less, is 0.4 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and has a longer 3,135-mm wheelbase, plus extensive listed comfort, parking and driver-assistance equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LX costs RM1,540,000 and the Mercedes-Benz GLS costs RM999,888, putting the Lexus RM540,112 higher.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS has lower annual road tax at RM1,638, versus RM2,352 for the Lexus LX. That saves RM714 each year.
