2023 Lexus RX 350 vs. 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE | Can the Redesigned RX Beat the Luxurious GLE? 

In this battle of top seller (2023 Lexus RX 350) versus top rated (2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE) - which would you pick?

My husband is a mechanical engineer and he only says one thing, a Mercedes is only good when new, because at some point it will break down. Now Lexus he says is synonymous with perfection, while he fixes 200 Mercedes, fixes only 1 Lexus and for normal wear and tear problems. He says jokingly that if the workshop depended on Lexus and Toyota vehicles, it would have closed by now.

People who actually buy luxury brands outside of car brands (such as clothes, make up, furniture) would know that luxury is more about the build quality rather than looking to impress. These things last for years which is why people buy them. An MK bag only lasts 2-3 years while a real LV bag or Hermes can last you 10+ years as the designs and quality are timeless. Heck, you wouldn't even notice that a girl has a Hermes bag until you actually look closer. It's not about being impressive. European car brands these days aren't luxury anymore. Brands like Merc and BMW have become the MK and Kate & Spade while Japan luxury built for quality have become the level above that (LV, Hermes, etc.). Luxury is meant to stand test of time with "some" poshness. People like Naveen that parade luxury is about impressing clearly has no idea about the world of luxury. Obviously this Edmund Cars guy has no idea what luxury is. Japan has stayed true to what luxury actually means while Europe is going backwards. This naveen guy is hilarious😂

I have been in Industry for over 30 years. The attention to detail, dependability, reliability in the Lexus Product is HANDS DOWN ON ANOTHER LEVEL. The Lexus Drive is just Better. Smoot, Quiet and clean. The European SUV's have always driven heavy, tight and uncomfortable. Seats are hard and uncomfortable in the Benz. The always have been. The Benz is Cool looking and the spread screen on 22 is cool looking but that us it. Voice commands on both will work nice IF you take a couple minutes with a true professional to get the basic fundamentals. Resale values absolutely plummet on the European vehicles because everyone on earth understands that the cost of ownership and maintenance costs on the Benz sucks.. The Benz Fluff is nice and cool if you want to show off. I n a nutshell,, If money is no object and you want to dump it on your vehicle and get nothing for resale then buy the Benz. If you want to spend your money on other things like family and lifestyle then buy the Lexus and enjoy the drive and resale value

I have the 1999 RX330 with 307,000 miles...not a single problem. I will be buying the RX350. My brother has the Mercedes...it stays in the shop twice a year. I paid off my mortgage and he's paying off his mechanic's bill.

Lexus is ultra-dependable, and oh so comfortable! The two things that are the most important to me. 👍🏽😉 I've had a mid-level Mercedes and unless you get an S-Class, Comfortable is definitely NOT a word I would ever use to describe it! It was the only car I've ever traded in after 1 year! Right back to LEXUS I went! 🤷🏾‍♀️. When I ride in my RX350, I feel like I'm riding in the best "Lazy Girl" chair there is, LOL! 🤗

I have a 2006 RX with over 250,000 miles on it. Just regular maintenance. I would buy another RX when the time comes to replace this one.

Mercedes if I’m leasing for 3-4 years, Lexus if I’m buying and keeping it for 10 years

First, luxury HAS to include reliability in the luxury discussion rating. One cannot separate them because reliability talks to better implementation of materials, quality and components and the true intent on the part of Lexus to provide the best for the money and to consistently do so. That is why luxury goods generally are of a higher quality to ensure they will stand the test of time. So-called 'car enthusiasts' are only interested in immediate gratification and are sometimes blind to that fact and they tend to push their warped ideals unto the general population. There is a reason why most people who can afford these types of cars buy Lexus. The fact that the RX, since its inception, has been able to remain the best seller in the category speaks for itself. It's the overall winner and in this case, money talks. The rest is just silly banter.

I have a 2022 MBZ GLE 350 in the Emerald Green Metallic with over 20,000 miles ...drives like a dream...beautiful inside and out...and not a single issue...keeping this SUV for a long time...probably the best vehicle I have ever owned.

Well the RX is a US bestseller and the GLE one of the most unreliable vehicles on the road. tough choice

I still have a 2012 ML350 with 150k miles and still runs amazing. I want to get a new car but they just dont make them the same anymore. This car is a blast to drive.

I have a 2020 RX 350 and all I was waiting for was ambient lighting 🙌🏽can’t wait to upgrade after my lease.

Ordered 500h in Aug this year Hello from Canada

Im amazed at all the negative comments from people who have never owned a Mercedes or a Lexus.. Until you do, you dont know what you are talking about.

Picked out a base model GLE against a fully loaded RX, good job 🤧🤧

I got the RX500h and I super enjoy it!!! I would love to be reached out to. The T-shirt if it’s till available please let me know!!!

That shallow shelf in the GLE is actually an empty niche where rear climate controls would be (if this unit was equipped with it).

My mom has a 2020 Mercedes GLE and we have that shelf as well. Me and my sister have found out that it can be used for sunglasses. I am a car enthusiast and I love Mercedes so I have found out that the shelf is for the climate controls, but not every GLE has the climate controls.

I prefer the Lexus. Funny how you asked who’s been asking for a sportier RX, I’ve been reaching out to Lexus for an RX F so I’ll take the RX500. I love my 2015 RX350 ❤

When I was shopping for a midsize luxury suv I test drove the Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and Lexus. I ended up going with the Mercedes GLE. When you actually test drive these cars you can understand the difference, hence why the GLE was rated higher. Put it like this, when you get out of the Benz and get in the Lexus you can instantly feel the downgrade. I think most of the Lexus consumers haven’t even test drove anything else because they would obviously know this. They just say I want a Lexus because I heard it was reliable without actually physically comparing theses vehicles for themselves. Not to mention Mercedes offers great warranties that Lexus consumers probably don’t know about either because they haven’t done their research. You would even be crazy to buy that Lexus without a good warranty too lol.

Maybe I need time for the new RX design but I kinda like the last gen design. I also don't mind the old infotainment with the touch pad

There is nothing more irritating to me than silly little comments shared across the board by you RU-vidrs who ironically have never owned luxury cars. You are repeating almost word for word what others like you say. You display OBSOLUTLEY no originality and what I would call downright laziness! Watching other 'bloggers' and repeating nonsense is not helpful but misleading. First, the RX has always had every single option that other cars do in this category and in fact pioneered these features. My 2006 Lexus RX400h had a touchscreen and so did my 2004 LS but at the time the complaints were about the screens being finger-print magnets which lead Lexus to discontinue. In fact, Lexus offers most of their safety system controls included in the cost and was the first to do so. Mercedes, (which I have owned) nickel and dime you for every single feature thereby shooting up the price. You then if you are an owner, end up getting stuck with huge costs when things go wrong, which they invariable do in their cars. I'd much rather be investing my money for a return!Speaking of which, even in resale Toyota/Lexus will generally fetch higher resale. Stop perpetuating the ridiculous nonsense about backwards technology. You wax poetic about new technologies when you compare a seven-year-old Lexus with a brand-new Mercedes BMW etc. PS. Example is how you breeze over the lack of options in the more expensive Mecedes. RIDICULOUS!

I like the RX 500h, plan to buy one when it comes out.

Surprised by all the RX hate going on here. Even if you're not a fan, it's hard to ignore how many of those darn cars that Lexus actually sells.

What driving mode did you have the Lexus in? There are three distinct modes. Also, 90% of consumers are after hybrid and Plug-in hybrid vehicles. The Lexus engineers wrote the book on this technology. Lexus absolutely dominates the industry in hybrid dependability

THANK YOU! Just the two cars that I wanted compared! How did yuo know???? I'm getting the GLE!

New LEXUS RX 😎👍🏻 FIRST CLASS

Nice video and informative 👍🏼 But music very annoying!

Add dependability/reliability and cost of ownership will the "king" still be the king? Part of luxury is being dependable will not give you headache everytime you press the start button or wont leave you stranded in nowhere or maybe that nice leather will still be nice after years kof ownership?

Based on the exterior looks alone, the GLE still looks better than the newer RX. However, reliability is another matter.

Prefer the look of the RX but the Merc looks undeniably more luxurious given that vehicle's quite significantly higher base price.

I disagree that the GLE’s interior is “higher quality” than the Genesis GV80’s interior. That SUV’s interior is stunning & has a very high quality interior than can give the GLE a run for its money

Notice the comment theme - car reviewers are typically enthusiasts who don't buy or have to pay for ongoing maintenance on the vehicles they like driving the best. I loved hearing Edmunds own up to the fact that those who like Lexus RX's see things differently than reviewers. For a lot of the last 10 years the RX sold double the volume of any of its competitors. Hmmm.

All these great new vehicles with no parts to build them. Then throw in a higher MSRP with some dealer markups and if you're planning on financing your new vehicle. Expect to pay higher interest rates. What a great time to purchase a new vehicle.

I thought you said the touchpad was a bad thing in the Lexus? Why is it not the same for the Mercedes?

Wireless charging pads in cars, as a rule, are awful. They heat your phone more than they charge your phone and they are always placed in the worst spot possible. I'd pay to have it removed.

Clint? Which one will spend less time being repaired and out of service?

Earlier this year the GLE was named the single least reliable vehicle currently sold in the US market by Consumer Reports with a reliability score of 5 out of 100, LOL. Absolutely laughable to call it the top rated SUV in its class when it is a complete piece of junk. Guess the clowns at Edmunds are more worried about maintaining favor with Mercedes rather than accurately calling their vehicles out for being some of the least reliable in the entire car market. Don’t get me wrong, this RX is super lackluster, but at least it won’t be a shop queen like a GLE.

Both amazing cars. My mums dream car is a Lexus RX and my dad likes them so I’m considering to buy a Lexus RX rather than an NX.

"The tech in here is really decent " lol

Thank you. But how can the Benz not have wireless CarPlay? That's weird.

It's very simple, you want an suv that's truly reliable buy the Lexus.

That white on that Benz makes it look like rental car basic as hell

Im a current 2020 rx f sport owner interested in in the lexus rx 500h but for the price wonder if the BMW x3 m40i a better buy.

I’m UK based, and Lexus is a much smaller brand than Mercedes here. Having had BMWs for the last 9 years I just tested the GLC, GLE, NX and RX. I’ve gone for the RX. It’s a smaller and much cheaper car than the GLE, but plenty big enough, just as nice an interior and more reliable. Or, conversely, it costs the same as the GLC, is more spacious, just as nice inside and more reliable.

Reliability is a luxury.

Rx350 over the Benz all day

I wonder if the people who complain about the touch pad, actually drive the Lexus daily. I loved the touch pad.

How tall are you?????

How tall is the host? Would be nice to know for size comparison. Sometimes he looks like he’s 5’4 and other times he looks taller.

The Lexus RX is not affordable. In Canada, the top model is now $99,000 and a 2016 model still costs $35-40K

Hey, hi! It’s me- I’d drive an RX as fast as possible. I’ll take my tshirt now. 😝

its not about needing that torque, but we don't want 4Cyl w/turbos. THat's why Tesla Y's sell outsells the things. I want to like it but I might fall asleep driving it

I’m fan Lexus RX

The 46.2 cu ft rating in the RX with the second row folded flat makes no sense. It can’t be that low with the seats folded flat

Who cares about sportiness?? Most cars shouldn’t be sporty and this class is a prime example. This inane complaint has made most vehicles mildly sporty with much stiffer suspensions. The fact that the reviewer mentioned that multiple times just shows how out of touch publications are.

Recently, I drove a Lexus RX350, which is far superior in terms of power compared to the Mercedes GLC 350. While the Mercedes has an advantage in technology, certainly it falls short in terms of power.

When you get a Merc fan to do a comparison.. the people in the end vote with their dollars and that's what any manufacturer wants.. just look at his demeanor when he is in the Merc vs the Lexus... It tells you all.. Praise for the GLE and nitpicking for the RX

Great video but i feel the RX should be compared with the GLC.

Looks amazing both. But ofc branding mercedes is better

Why did you compare a sport model RX with a luxury version GLE??? Makes no sense. Of course you get a light interior color and wood trim on the GLE with the luxury trim. If you compared the new RX luxury trim with the same light color interior as the GLE, then it would be a different story and on the same level. Even the exterior of the RX luxury version has a different look. HOW is this a proper comparison please??🤔

While this comparison makes sense, know that nobody who buys a GLE will get this trim... and if you're willing to spend properly on one of them, the GLE goes from an RX competitor to a Maybach competitor; ie, GET THE GLE!

I prefer lexus 450h because its now model for next 5years , gle has 4 years .

Music is too loud!

Actually, I just ordered RX500H 😂😂😂

Another fact: All of 2.0 liter engines offered in Mercedes vehicles are made by Nissan.

Reliability vs unreliability…hmm

Lol what a ridiculous comparison. The GLE is mid luxury while the rx are for ppl who want a more fancy tad smaller highlander

The Rx has been knocking the head of the GLE "king" for years in sales in this segment.. what are you on about?

I want to drive as fast as possible :)

show off your Benz keep for 10 years Lexus

You sure know how to market your product

Compare Lexus 330 and 350

I am gonna deduct lots of points on the turbo powered drivetrain that sucks

Great review…. Though I don’t think Lexus was ever running for the Benz lol. I think at this point Lexus builds cars for their customers and ONLY their customers. There’s no regards for magazines, no regard for journalists, not a single f*ck given to try to please anyone. Great on them for marching to the best of their own drum, but I’ll pass on the RX. What’s weird though is that I’m not really a fan of the German offerings either.

Shelve is for pack of Newports for your kids

No one needs three row anything honestly, grown folks can’t fit in the back comfortably. People should stop having 5-6 kids and 3 row should vanish.

RX is the size/class of GLC. By comparing it to GLE you show that you don’t know anything about cars

The reason Lexus can't compete with MB interiors is simple. Lexus is a premium brand. Nothing more than a dressed up Toyota. Wife had a 23 Lexus loaner and the 4 banger is not very refined at all. Most people who buy MB don't care about reliablity because they lease them.

No more giant L on the Tailgate. How will anyone following you know that you are driving a Lexus?

Beautiful car, but that infotainment system looks very basic

That Mercedes looks like it’s going to fall apart . I love the Lexus spindle grill it’s pretty much a fuck you to any car lol . Lexus started that trend and everyone copied .

Would absolutely take the RX over the GLE. The price for the GLE to match the features that come with the Lexus is vastly more expensive and the reliability of the GLE is trash. I’ll definitely give the Germans credit on making vehicles that are more fun to drive and if you’re looking for a lease, probably not a bad choice. But no way in hell that I’d waste so much money on something that will spend half its life in the shop.

Owned both, Merc edes by far, a more enjoyable ride. Lexus seats very narrow and uncomfortable.

What’s up using these flambé 4 cylinder engines your spending 70-80k I want a v-6-8 you have tree huggers building SUV’s today

You're cute, but I'm one of the ones that would want to drive a lexus rx 500h. However it's not really that fast, you can get that amount of horsepower in a base bmw x5. Lexus shouldn't make you go 5 levels up and pay 70k for it. Anyway, I'm not surprised that you thought the Mercedes was more luxurious. But for the money I would probably do the lexus. I wish they were a bit more posh.

Mercedes-Benz, the best or nothing!

Your assessment on the ride quality is spot on. I have the GLS, which is nothing more than a stretched GLE, and the wife drives the RX. The GLS is like driving a bank vault and the RX is like driving a wooden crate. The GLS or any Mercedes achilles heel is the maintenance cost. Try $400 for a oil change.

Lexus 👍

King? Mercedes hasn’t been the long in decades. Doesn’t sell and depreciates quickly. I want a Mercedes but it can’t beat Rx in reliability. It can in luxury by a little. Plus why are you comparing the GLE to the RX even in size? What about the GX?

King Benz

Mercedes over this blue rav4

GLE and pretty much all Mercedeses since 2018 look super ugly with their front headlines. What is it, a giant bug? Besides, unreliable vehicles that maintenance costs are too much. Just got the latest NX-350 AWD with the 2.4 turbo engine. It is a monster on the road. It is completely high tech in the dashboard area and I am absolutely convinced, it is a much better vehicle that Mercedes. I say that from experience as I used to buy that nonsense of a vehicle.

Don't the RX doesn't look like a Boat anymore

I’m not sure about this comparison. You are comparing a Toyota with icing to a Mercedes and they are clearly in 2 different categories. Most Mercedes shoppers aren’t exactly looking for a bargain. They know what they are getting into. After having had both, I’m sticking with my Benz. I love it in a way I never did my Toyota with icing. Yes, maintenance is more, but I actually enjoy driving and the Germans know how to make it enjoyable. And yes, I said a Toyota with icing. All you have to do is look at the sticker and you’ll see what your car really is.

I will buy RX 500h, will drive like an a** (similar to BMW owners) in sport mode when driving alone and drive like a true RX in comfort mode when with family ;) ... Can I get my t-shirt?

GLE350 is more luxury car than rx350

Genesis GV80 beats both in my opinion

Lexus does a great job exterior wise interior the Lexus IS cheesy whether it's a SUV or a sedan it looks too much like a Nissan or Toyota which that's what it is a Toyota it's nothing luxury about Lexus on the interior part of there vehicles it always been like that and always will be like that it's just a design language that the car brand maker goes with they just don't know how to do it and they never will when the Lexus brand first came on the scene they copy Mercedes and they got away with that until Mercedes change their design and Lexus never could recover they tried to copy BMW but that didn't work too well