Specs at a Glance
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE | 2018 Lexus RX | |
| Roadside Assistance | ||
| Â Â Unlimited yr / mi | 4 yr / Unlimited mi | |
| Cargo Space | ||
| Â Â 38.2 cu. ft. | 18.4 cu. ft. | |
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2018 Lexus RX
Serving Franklin, Nashville, and Brentwood, TN
Mercedes-Benz and Lexus are two of the market leaders when it comes to building exciting SUVs that are able to accommodate a wide variety of preferences and driving styles. Both have stepped up to the challenge of building a mid-size crossover SUV - one of the most difficult cars to get right. A good mid-size luxury SUV not only offers the kind of high-end technology, amenities and materials that buyers are after, but also has to be versatile enough to appeal to both those looking for performance and those looking for efficiency, as well as to both family drivers and active lifestyles. Looking at the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE and the 2018 Lexus RX, we can tell that both have spectacularly risen to the challenge. So which of them has made the better car - the one that will be the mid-size SUV of choice for the drivers in Nashville, Brentwood & Franklin, TN?
Versatility
A mid-size SUV sits at a crossroads of many different driver profiles, and a successful one has to appeal to them all. Both the Lexus RX and the Mercedes-Benz GLE offer plenty of options to let their drivers tailor their vehicles to their needs. But while Lexus has made a good effort at making a multi-purpose vehicle, it falls short of the GLE in some aspects. The hybrid model of the RX trades off performance for fuel economy, but does not excel in either category, while the GLE hybrid is not only capable of electric-only operation, but can reach 436 horsepower when fully engaged. That not only beats the RX hybrid’s 259 horsepower, but the standard RX’s 295 horsepower as well. So does the standard gas-powered GLE, with its 302-horsepower V-6. For both performance enthusiasts and efficiency aficionados, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE offers better options to choose from than the Lexus RX.
Luxury and Utility
A luxury SUV, at its most basic, should accomplish two goals: be comfortable and attractive, and have sufficient room for both passengers and cargo. Both the 2018 RX and the 2018 GLE are strong contenders in both areas, but ultimately the Mercedes-Benz comes out slightly ahead. Both vehicles are very nicely trimmed out, with plenty of soft-touch materials, high-rent accents and superior build quality, the Lexus RX tends to reuse some lower-quality components from its mass-market Toyota line of vehicles. While mostly out of the way and hidden, they tend to undermine the image of luxury once discovered. And while both vehicles offer spacious seating for passengers in both rows, the GLE does not do so at the expense of a large cargo hold. The GLE Coupe has slightly more storage space than the RX, while the cargo bay on the SUV GLE is over twice that of the RX. If a consistent level of luxury and lots of space both in front and behind the seats is important to you, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE is the way to go
Technology
A luxury vehicle feels incomplete without a full range of modern technologies such as advanced audio systems, active safety suites and modern infotainment. Both the 2018 GLE and the 2018 Lexus RX are going to check all of those boxes for most drivers, but the discerning technophiles will prefer the Mercedes-Benz to the Lexus. One reason is the innovative COMAND interface, which seamlessly combines a touchpad near the shifter, a conventional touchscreen and voice commands to deliver the smoothest experience possible. Another reason is the full smartphone integration using Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which is not found on the Lexus. It uses its own Entune system, which is less powerful and less refined than the one found on the GLE.
By all metrics, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE is the mid-size crossover of choice in the luxury car segment. Few other cars can match the versatility of its powertrain, its innovative technology, or the combination of quality materials and space that its cabin offers. Visit our showroom serving Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin, TN to experience a luxury crossover that can really do everything!
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