The Cheaper Lexus SUV That Feels More Luxurious Than A Mercedes GLS
Mercedes-Benz has long positioned the GLS as the default answer for buyers who want three rows of flagship-level luxury wrapped in an SUV body. It carries the prestige of the S-Class name, the space to seat six or seven adults in genuine comfort, and a range that stretches all the way to Maybach territory. On paper, it should be untouchable.
But a Japanese rival is making that argument increasingly difficult to sustain. It approaches luxury from a fundamentally different direction — pairing an indulgent cabin with serious off-road hardware, a reputation for long-term reliability that German brands rarely match, and a top-spec price that lands nearly $40,000 below the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600. For buyers who assumed flagship luxury meant a German badge, the Lexus LX deserves a much closer look.
Mercedes’ 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 spans four distinct trim levels, 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. That breadth gives the GLS enormous reach, but it also leaves an opening for a very different kind of flagship SUV to challenge Mercedes at the upper end of the market.
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 builds this full-size SUV on the GA-F platform, targeting executive transport buyers, affluent outdoor enthusiasts, and drivers who need extreme off-road durability alongside serious 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.
That top-end figure is where the comparison with Mercedes becomes especially compelling. The four-seat LX 700h Ultra Luxury comes in $39,000 below the $180,000 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600, despite representing the most lavish configuration Lexus offers.
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, reaching 60 mph from rest 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 lift output to 457 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, trimming the 0-to-60 mph sprint to 6.4 seconds while maintaining the same 110 mph top speed. Regardless of which powertrain you choose, every LX variant is rated to tow up to 8,000 pounds. That capability is central to the LX’s appeal — Lexus is determined to deliver flagship-level luxury without sacrificing the rugged credentials that set it apart from more road-biased rivals.
What We Were Left With After Getting Behind The Wheel
Our team had the opportunity to test several Lexus LX variants, including putting the Lexus LX 700h through its paces in a snow-covered environment — perfect conditions for what it’s capable of — and we came away with mixed feelings about whom this vehicle is really made for. It was unquestionably up to Lexus standards: well-built, posh, comfortable, and rugged. We did note, however, that interior space felt less competitive against segment leaders like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, largely because the hybrid system in our tester compromised cabin room.
On the road, the body-on-frame SUV handled as expected, though it felt composed and easily controllable across most surfaces. The real standout was the 700h’s 457-horsepower output, which, while powerful enough to get the big SUV moving with real enthusiasm, was easy to miss inside the cabin thanks to vault-like serenity and supple suspension damping.
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.
The Luxury trim is 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 capable of running household appliances directly from the cargo area. Optional rear-seat entertainment screens remain available to keep rear passengers engaged.
But the version that makes the clearest case against Mercedes sits at the very top of the LX range. 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. Those features carry particular weight given the $141,000 asking price, which leaves a $39,000 gap between the LX 700h Ultra Luxury and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600.
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 the largest single expense at $37,606, accounting 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, assuming 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 annually, while routine maintenance and repairs account for $3,118 — just four percent of the overall financial commitment. These aren’t small numbers in absolute terms, but the modest maintenance and repair estimate is genuinely impressive for a full-size luxury SUV at this price point.
Sources: Lexus, Mercedes
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