The Cheaper Lexus SUV That Feels More Luxurious Than A Mercedes GLS

8 minutes reading

Monday, 17 Aug 2026 12:00 0 5 autotech

Luxury SUVs are growing in popularity in the U.S. as more consumers demand a more opulent ownership experience from their daily drivers. They want this with the added benefit of versatility and visual presence. The go-to for many shopping in this market is the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Benz’s Flagship Three-Row SUV Champion

The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS is the flagship three-row luxury SUV of the German brand’s American lineup. It functions as the utility equivalent of the S-Class sedan, positioned in the full-size segment directly above the GLE, targeting affluent families and executive buyers. It excels at offering good cargo capacity alongside adult-sized seating in all three rows. The range consists of four distinct trim variations across the lineup, starting at $90,250 for the entry-level GLS 450 4MATIC. The V-8-powered GLS 580 4MATIC starts at $116,150, while the high-performance AMG GLS 63 commands $151,050. The ultra-luxury Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 tops the pricing scale at $180,000 before options.

The Lexus LX Beats The GLS At Its Own Game

The 2026 Lexus LX is the brand’s flagship full-size SUV, where it sits above the GX and RX as the peak body-on-frame luxury experience. Lexus bases this full-size SUV on the GA-F platform, targeting executive transport buyers, affluent outdoor enthusiasts, and drivers who require extreme off-road durability alongside heavy towing capacity.

There are seven variations across two powertrains for 2026. The twin-turbo V-6 LX 600 lineup starts at $106,500 for the Premium grade and rises through the F Sport Handling and Luxury trims. The high-output LX 700h hybrid powertrain introduces the off-road Overtrail grade at $115,235, while the executive four-seat LX 700h Ultra Luxury tops the pricing structure at $141,000 before destination charges.

Lexus produces the fourth-generation LX at the Yoshiwara plant in Japan, and the model maintains a profitable niche for the brand in the U.S. The brand has enjoyed steady commercial performance from this generation since its North American arrival. High resale values and mechanical durability attract loyal buyers who prioritize long-term reliability over unibody crossover platforms. Through the first six months of 2026, Lexus recorded total U.S. sales of 3,717 LX units. These deliveries include 1,848 units in the first quarter and 1,869 units in the second quarter, demonstrating consistent quarterly demand across the calendar year.

True Off-Roading Luxury Performance

The 2026 Lexus LX is available with two distinct twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 powertrains mated to a 10-speed Direct-Shift automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. The standard gas-only LX 600 generates 409 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, taking you from 0 to 60 MPH in 6.9 seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 110 MPH.

Opting for the LX 700h hybrid pairs the twin-turbo V-6 with a parallel electric motor to boost output to 457 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque, dropping your 0 to 60 MPH sprint to 6.4 seconds while maintaining the same 110 MPH top speed. Regardless of the mechanical configuration you select, every version has a maximum towing capacity of 8,000 pounds.

No Shortage Of Standard Features Across The Range

The entry point to the lineup is the LX 600 Premium trim. Standard equipment includes leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard second-row seats, a power fold-flat third row, and a heated power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. For convenience, you get power auto-closing doors, a hands-free power liftgate, a power sunroof, a center console cool box, ambient lighting, and Active Height Control with Adaptive Variable Suspension.

Shot of 2025 Lexus LX 600 F SPORT interior showing front cabin

The standard entertainment setup centers on a dual-screen interface system with a 12.3-inch upper touchscreen, a 7.0-inch lower control display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a head-up display, and a 10-speaker audio system. You can add optional features through the Interior Upgrade Package, which includes semi-aniline leather upholstery, massaging front seats, and ventilated second-row seats, or select the available 25-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound system.

Performance styling and dynamic upgrades are applied to the F Sport Handling trim, available on both LX 600 and LX 700h models. Comfort and convenience features build upon the base level with 22-inch forged alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, aluminum pedals, and bolstered sport seats wrapped in perforated leather with Circuit Red interior options. The dual-screen infotainment layout and standard 10-speaker sound system carry over to maintain a driver-focused cockpit. You can equip the optional Mark Levinson system. On LX 700h hybrid versions, you can also select the optional F Sport Appearance Package to gain color-keyed exterior trim, black mirror housings, and black rear spoiler winglets.

The Luxury trimis offered across LX 600 and LX 700h variants. Standard comfort features include semi-aniline leather upholstery, massaging front seats, ventilated second-row outboard seats, and wood steering wheel trim. Convenience technology expands with a digital rearview mirror, illuminated door sills, power-folding second-row seats, and automated parking assistance on hybrid models. Entertainment receives a standard upgrade through the Mark Levinson audio setup, while LX 700h hybrid models add a standard 2,400-watt AC power inverter to run household appliances directly from the cargo area. Optional rear-seat entertainment screens remain available to keep rear passengers engaged.

Low-angle shot of 2025 Lexus LX 600 F SPORT interior showing rear seats

The hybrid-exclusive LX 700h Overtrail trim optimizes standard convenience and rugged capability. It features front and rear electronic locking differentials, underbody skid plates, 18-inch matte gray wheels wrapped in 33-inch all-terrain tires, and all-weather floor liners. Interior comfort incorporates standard synthetic or genuine leather seating with heating and ventilation, while you can select optional two-row seating to maximize the rear cargo room. The 12.3-inch dual-screen infotainment system includes specialized off-road camera displays via the Multi-Terrain Monitor. The 10-speaker sound system comes standard, and you can add the Mark Levinson sound system as an option.

The pinnacle of bespoke travel is found in the four-passenger LX 700h Ultra Luxury trim. Engineers replace the traditional second and third rows with two power-adjustable rear captain’s chairs that recline up to 48 degrees, complete with heating, ventilation, multi-stage massage modes, and a power passenger-side ottoman. Convenience features include a dedicated rear center console with a touchscreen controller, a folding table, a wireless device charger, personal reading lights, and ceiling-mounted air conditioning vents. Entertainment reaches maximum output with a standard dual 11.4-inch rear-seat entertainment system alongside the Mark Levinson sound system.

Fans And Owners Trust The Lexus LX

According to iSeeCars, the Lexus LX boasts an overall score of 8.4 out of 10 alongside an 8.5 out of 10 reliability rating, ranking it second among all three-row luxury SUVs. It also projects an average lifespan of 15.4 years or 187,318 miles, with a 41.8 percent probability of reaching 200,000 miles.

On the financial side, the publication estimates a 43.9 percent five-year depreciation rate, which leaves a retained value of 56.1 percent or roughly $59,511. This performance earns the LX 600 second place for resale value among luxury large SUVs, outperforming the segment average depreciation of 53.4 percent.

High But Relatively Reasonable Running Costs

CarEdge estimates a five-year total ownership cost of $88,471 for a typical $113,100 Lexus LX 600. Depreciation represents your largest expense at $37,606, which accounts for 43 percent of the cumulative outlay while leaving an estimated residual value of $75,494. Auto insurance forms the second-largest obligation at $17,930 over five years, averaging $3,586 annually.

Financing expenses closely match insurance at $17,657, which assumes a 72-month loan at 6.99 percent APR with a 20 percent down payment. Fuel consumption adds $12,160 over five years based on 15,000 miles driven per year, while routine maintenance and repairs demand $3,118, making up just four percent of your overall financial commitment.