Difficult choice - Lexus GX or Mercedes-Benz GLE

Which car to buy - new or used? Russian drivers have to solve this problem periodically. On the one hand, I want to become the first owner of the car. On the other hand, finances are more often enough for the budget or middle class if you take a new car.


With 2,5-3 million rubles in your pocket, you can buy a good Korean-made crossover without a run. But for the same amount, the used market offers a lot of interesting things, including the “fresh” premium.

Today we will review and compare two cars from famous brands. The first is the second generation Lexus GX after restyling. The model was produced from 2013 to 2019. Long enough, but this is Lexus, this manufacturer is prone to rare model updates. They ask for a car from 2,9 million rubles.


The second car is the first generation Mercedes-Benz GLE before restyling. It was produced from 2015 to 2018. This model is cheaper - from 2,5 million rubles. No wonder - the Lexus GX will be a higher class - this is a full-fledged frame SUV, not a crossover.

How can you compare different cars? This is life and "Wishlist", they sometimes do amazing things. Sometimes a person plans to buy a family crossover, and returns home in a stylish coupe, which he dreamed about in his youth. And here are almost the same models, if you do not cling to the nuances.

Outside

The Lexus GX is a classic luxury SUV. Such people have been loved in Russia since the 90s. A huge car with a brutal appearance - what else is needed for happiness?


Of course, not everyone knows the Lexus GX specifically, but the Toyota Land Cruiser is another matter. To simplify as much as possible, Lexus is a premium Kruzak. But many are aware that Lexus is better than Toyota, more precisely, more luxurious.

As for reliability - a moot point, rather the opposite. And it's not that the Japanese are hacking, it's just that the GX has more options that sometimes fail.

In general, the appearance of the Lexus is impressive. A huge car, "gangster", as they said in the 90s. From this you want to stay away in the traffic flow - it is clear that it is expensive.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE does not look as impressive, but its design is more modern. There is more swiftness in appearance, the car is more suitable in spirit for people with an active lifestyle.

In general, outwardly the two models are not similar. As a rule, men like the Lexus GX more, women - depending on the circumstances and mood. We will assume that the Japanese car wins in this nomination - it still attracts more attention, and this is unambiguous.


But for residents of megacities, the Mercedes-Benz GLE is more convenient in terms of parking. It is smaller in size, although, compared to budget cars, this is still that “mastodon”.

We will assume that the Japanese SUV won in this nomination, but with reservations.

within

Salon Lexus GX can be immediately "called" a full-fledged office of some director of the company. What is there just not there, ranging from leather seats with heating and ventilation, ending with a refrigerator.

There is plenty of room inside for both front and rear passengers. For the latter, by the way, even separate backrest adjustments and their own climate control are provided. But on the third row there is not enough space for adults - but this is a standard picture for such cars.
Even the premium Lexus GX has disadvantages - the plastic in the cabin could be softer. This is due to the fact that the manufacturer tried to unify its cars as much as possible with Toyota.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE has no such flaws in the quality of finishing materials in the cabin. But still, this car looks simpler inside. There is no feeling of an expensive office, but there will be no shame in front of business partners either.


The ergonomics of the Mercedes-Benz GLE is perfect, like most cars of this brand, regardless of the year of manufacture. The level of noise isolation as in the Lexus GX - the impression of a capsule that protects from the outside world, both models provide.

It’s hard to say from the salons which car is frankly better. For lovers of bells and whistles and sybaritic comfort, the Lexus GX will definitely fit. But in everyday use, the interior of the Mercedes-Benz GLE is more comfortable.

It is difficult to name a winner in this category. At first glance, the Lexus GX is better, but this is true for lovers of frank premium, which is directly evident. On the other hand, those who do not care will choose Mercedes. Therefore, we count a fighting draw.

Engines

The Lexus GX has only one non-alternative engine - a V8 with a displacement of 4,6 liters. On the one hand, this may be good - the power unit is reliable to disgrace, why offer something else. Only it is difficult to “feed” this motor in the city. Add to the volume the weight of the Lexus GX and the disgusting aerodynamics of the body of a classic SUV. In general, it will actually turn out more than 20 liters in the city, despite the 17,7 liters appearing in the technical specifications.


On the other hand, the first owners of the Japanese SUV were hardly interested in fuel consumption, they knew perfectly well what it was. And for those who wanted to buy a middle-class crossover for 3 million rubles, of course, 20 liters would be a bit much. But the Lexus GX does not have diesel engines.

Mercedes-Benz GLE pleases with a variety of engines. Mostly in Russia there are gasoline M276 for 3,0 and 3,5 liters. The first is turbocharged in different variations, the second is atmospheric. Very rarely in our country come across V8 M278 and M157.


In terms of engines, on the one hand, the clear leader will be the Mercedes-Benz GLE. For this model, it is possible to choose a motor that suits the temperament of the driver and fuel consumption.

On the other hand, all Mercedes powertrains are inferior in terms of reliability to the 1UR-FE of the Lexus GX. He would have a smaller expense - there would be no price, but you have to pay for everything. It is difficult to imagine the same Mercedes OM651 diesel engine with a working volume of 2,1 liters under the hood of this “mastodon”.


In this nomination, we will give the victory to the Mercedes-Benz GLE for the variety of engines. But with the proviso that the Lexus GX has a single engine that is more reliable.

In move

The average Lexus always drives well, especially if it's a full-size sedan or SUV. The Japanese manufacturer in the case of the Lexus GX decided to get by with one non-alternative V8. It is for this reason that its acceleration is impressive - 8,3 seconds to "weave" - ​​not bad for such a colossus weighing more than 2,5 tons!

On the track, you can drive for a long time at a speed of 130 km / h without experiencing discomfort. The main thing is not to forget that this is not a sports car - you should not maneuver sharply. By the way, this also applies to city driving.


Severe off-road for a huge Lexus GX is not recommended, but on rural roads, to a river or lake, it will easily drive up. The main thing to remember is that the car is long, so sitting on your belly is not a problem. It is up to this border that the patency of the Japanese SUV extends.

Mercedes-Benz GLE is a more comfortable car for the city and the highway, not in terms of comfort, but for the driver. Compared to the hulking Lexus GX, it demonstrates just sporty steering. Of course, this is all relative.

As for the acceleration dynamics, it is the future owner who will have to choose the engine, struggling with the desire to save money and drive fast. You can also take a 5,5 AMG, but you first need to find it, then “feed it”, and it’s so expensive to repair that it’s easier to immediately replace it with a contract one.


In principle, the Mercedes-Benz GLE is not intended for off-road use like any crossover, but it should bring it to the hacienda, even the most abandoned one.

Summing up, we can say that the Lexus GX is an SUV for an eccentric owner who loves attention from others and frequent hunting and fishing trips. Mercedes-Benz GLE is a versatile crossover, more suitable for everyday use.

When choosing between two cars, you need to decide for yourself what is more important - a dream or convenience. And no one doubts that the Lexus GX outwardly outperforms the Mercedes-Benz GLE. Only the "Japanese" for urban operation is in fact not needed.