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The Lexus NX and Mercedes-Benz GLS are not close substitutes: the US-market 2026 NX is a compact, five-seat luxury SUV, while the 2027 GLS is a full-size SUV with three rows. Choose the NX if five seats, a smaller footprint and a choice of gas, hybrid or plug-in-hybrid powertrains match your driving. Choose the GLS if you regularly carry more passengers, need substantially more cargo room or want the towing and output listed for the GLS 450. Because the available specifications cover different model years, compare the exact year, trim and drivetrain before treating price, fuel economy or performance as an apples-to-apples result.
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus NX (2026 US model) | Five-seat use, compact dimensions and electrified powertrain choice | Gas, hybrid and plug-in-hybrid versions; five seats | Nov 2026 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 (2027 US model) | Three-row passenger duty, large cargo needs and towing | 205.4-inch length; 17.4–84.9 cu. ft. cargo; six seats standard in the cited configuration, seven optional | Nov 2026 |
What is the main difference between the Lexus NX and Mercedes-Benz GLS?
They belong to different size classes. Lexus describes the NX as a five-seat luxury crossover, while Mercedes-Benz states that three-row seating is standard throughout the GLS range. That distinction affects who can ride comfortably, how much garage and parking space the vehicle needs, and how much cargo remains behind occupied seats.
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The comparison also spans different US model years: Lexus materials cover the 2026 NX, and the current Mercedes-Benz USA page covers the 2027 GLS 450. Treat all prices, equipment, ratings and availability as year- and trim-specific rather than permanent characteristics.
How do seating and cargo capacity compare?
If you need a usable third row, the GLS is the relevant choice. If five seats are enough and you prefer a less imposing vehicle, the NX is the straightforward fit.
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Lexus NX: five seats
Lexus lists five seats for the NX on its current US model page. There is no third-row option identified in the cited Lexus materials, so the NX is a two-row vehicle for five occupants. Its smaller class can be easier to place in a typical garage or urban parking space, although the cited Lexus sources do not provide a numerical overall length for a direct measurement comparison.
Mercedes-Benz GLS: three rows
Mercedes-Benz describes “Three-row seating is standard in every GLS” on its GLS class page. The cited 2027 GLS 450 specification identifies a six-passenger configuration, with seven-passenger seating available as an option. Exact second-row arrangements and equipment can vary by configuration, so confirm the build sheet when comparing a particular vehicle.
For cargo, Mercedes-Benz publishes 17.4 to 84.9 cubic feet for the 2027 GLS 450, depending on how the rows are positioned. The cited NX sources do not establish a cargo-volume figure, so an exact numerical cargo comparison would be unsupported. In practical terms, the GLS’s three-row design gives it a much broader people-and-luggage mission, while an NX buyer should inspect the actual cargo area and measure the items that matter.
Which SUV has the larger footprint?
The GLS 450 is the much larger vehicle on the published dimensions. Mercedes lists 205.4 inches of overall length, a 123.4-inch wheelbase, 71.8-inch height and 79.0-inch width without mirrors for the 2027 model.
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Lexus’s cited 2026 NX page does not expose a comparable dimensional set, so do not claim a precise inch-by-inch difference without checking the exact NX specification. The class distinction is still clear: the NX is positioned as a compact crossover, whereas a GLS over 205 inches long is a full-size SUV. Check your garage opening, parking space, turning area and local street conditions against the manufacturer’s dimensions, including mirrors and door clearance, before ordering.
What powertrains are available?
The NX offers the broader type of powertrain choice. Lexus’s current model information identifies gas, hybrid and plug-in-hybrid variants. The GLS figure cited here is specifically for the 2027 GLS 450 and should not be generalized to every GLS model or trim.
2026 Lexus NX choices
- NX 350 AWD: 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque.
- NX 350h: hybrid system rated at 240 combined horsepower, offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive in the 2026 Lexus release.
- NX 450h+ AWD: plug-in hybrid with 304 combined horsepower in the model-year information and an EPA-estimated 37-mile electric-only range.
Lexus’s 2026 release provides the trim-specific figures and drivetrain availability; use the Lexus newsroom release for the configuration details. Lexus also notes on its NX model page that the redesigned 2027 NX is arriving in winter 2026, so inventory and specifications can change as that transition occurs.
2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450
The 2027 GLS 450 specification lists a turbocharged inline-six with mild-hybrid drive, producing 375 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. Those figures apply to the GLS 450 page cited here, not automatically to higher or lower GLS variants. Mercedes-Benz may offer other engines or equipment in the range; identify the exact badge and model year before comparing.
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How do the published performance and efficiency figures differ?
The available ratings show the trade-off between the vehicles, but they are not a controlled same-year comparison. Lexus’s numbers are for 2026 NX trims, while Mercedes-Benz’s are for a 2027 GLS 450. They come from manufacturer specifications and EPA estimates, not independent instrumented testing.
| Vehicle | Power or system output | Acceleration | Efficiency or electric range | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lexus NX 350 AWD | 275 hp; 317 lb-ft | 0–60 mph in 6.6 seconds | EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined | Lexus USA Newsroom |
| 2026 Lexus NX 350h AWD | 240 combined hp | 0–60 mph in 7.2 seconds | EPA-estimated 39 mpg combined | Lexus USA Newsroom |
| 2026 Lexus NX 350h FWD | 240 combined hp | 0–60 mph in 8.2 seconds | EPA-estimated 40 mpg combined | Lexus USA Newsroom |
| 2026 Lexus NX 450h+ AWD | 304 combined hp | Not stated in the cited release | EPA-estimated 37-mile electric range; 84 MPGe combined | Lexus USA Newsroom |
| 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 | 375 hp; 413 lb-ft | 0–60 mph in 5.4 seconds | 19 mpg city / 24 mpg highway | Mercedes-Benz USA |
The NX 450h+ charging estimate is approximately three hours for a full charge under ideal conditions using 240-volt power and its standard 7-kW onboard charger. Real charging time depends on the electrical installation and conditions, so treat the manufacturer’s estimate as a planning reference.
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Which one is better for towing and heavy-duty use?
The published 2027 GLS 450 page gives a 7,700-pound towing capacity, making the GLS the only vehicle in this comparison with a verified towing figure in the cited sources. The cited NX materials do not provide a towing rating. Do not assume that every NX trim, hitch or drivetrain has the same capability; verify the exact vehicle’s owner’s manual and towing equipment before selecting a trailer.
For family hauling, the GLS’s three rows can keep passengers inside while preserving some cargo volume, although the amount depends on which seats are in use. The NX is better suited to a five-person load and ordinary luggage or equipment rather than a regular six- or seven-passenger mission.
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Is the NX’s electrification more important than the GLS’s size?
That depends on your daily pattern. The NX is the only model here with a documented plug-in-hybrid option, and its 2026 NX 450h+ rating includes 37 miles of EPA-estimated electric-only range. The NX 350h versions provide conventional hybrid efficiency figures, including 39 mpg combined for AWD and 40 mpg combined for FWD in Lexus’s release.
The GLS 450 specification cited here uses a mild-hybrid system paired with its turbocharged inline-six. Mild-hybrid assistance is not the same as a plug-in system with an electric-only range. If charging access and short-trip electric operation are priorities, start with the NX 450h+ requirements; if passenger count, towing or full-size cargo flexibility dominates, start with the GLS layout.
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- Count regular passengers. Choose the GLS if a third row is a recurring requirement. Choose the NX if five seats cover your normal use.
- Measure the parking space. Use the GLS’s published 205.4-inch length, 123.4-inch wheelbase and 79.0-inch body width without mirrors when checking access. Obtain the exact NX dimensions for the year and trim you intend to buy.
- Define your energy routine. Select among NX gas, hybrid and plug-in-hybrid versions according to fuel and charging priorities. The GLS 450 figure represents a turbocharged mild-hybrid configuration.
- Check trailer requirements. The GLS 450 is listed at 7,700 pounds of towing capacity. Confirm any NX tow rating directly for the specific drivetrain and equipment; the cited sources do not provide one.
- Compare like with like. Match model year, trim, drivetrain, all-wheel-drive status, options and destination charges before comparing price, acceleration or fuel economy.
- Verify availability locally. Lexus notes an upcoming 2027 NX redesign, and Mercedes-Benz’s cited page is for a 2027 GLS 450. Inventory, incentives and standard equipment can change during a model-year transition.
What about price and standard equipment?
Neither the cited Lexus materials nor the linked GLS specification establishes a complete, directly comparable price table. Lexus’s 2026 release includes pricing information that was updated May 1, 2026, while Mercedes-Benz publishes GLS specifications on its model page. Because model-year, destination charge, options, taxes and dealer offers vary, use the manufacturer’s current configurator or a local dealer quote for the exact vehicle.
Equipment also changes by trim. A feature shown on a GLS class overview is not necessarily standard on every trim or included in the GLS 450 configuration you are considering, and an NX accessory or package must be matched to its model year and trim. Lexus says its genuine accessories are designed for a precise fit; confirm compatibility with the vehicle’s listing or dealer before purchase.
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Does the 2025 NX brochure change this comparison?
The 2025 brochure is useful historical context, not a substitute for 2026 specifications. It listed four powertrains: NX 250 with 203 horsepower, NX 350 with 275 horsepower, NX 350h with 240 combined horsepower and NX 450h+ with 304 combined horsepower. Lexus’s later 2026 release should control when the two sources differ, and 2025 figures should not be transferred to a later trim without confirmation. The brochure is available from Lexus USA.
What should you verify before signing a purchase order?
- Write down the exact model year, trim, drivetrain and seating configuration.
- Confirm whether the vehicle has five seats, six seats or seven seats as equipped.
- Compare the vehicle’s actual dimensions with your garage, parking space and intended route.
- Check cargo needs with the seats in the positions you normally use.
- For the NX 450h+, confirm access to suitable 240-volt charging if you want the stated approximately three-hour charge estimate.
- Request the exact EPA label and equipment sheet for the vehicle, rather than relying on a different model year’s web page.
- For towing, verify the vehicle-specific rating, hitch hardware, trailer brakes and payload limits in the owner’s documentation.
How we framed the comparison
This comparison uses the distinctions established in US-market Lexus and Mercedes-Benz materials: seating, published GLS dimensions and cargo volume, available NX powertrain types, and trim-specific performance, efficiency and towing figures. The model years are labeled because the source pages cover 2026 NX and 2027 GLS vehicles. No independent road tests or controlled benchmarks are implied.
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Can I compare a 2026 Lexus NX price directly with a 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS price?
Only after normalizing the configuration. Use the same type of price (MSRP or an out-the-door quote), include destination and required options, and confirm that both vehicles are available in your market at the same time.
Does every Mercedes-Benz GLS have the same engine as the GLS 450?
No conclusion about the entire GLS range should be drawn from the GLS 450 specification. Engine, output and equipment are trim-specific, so check the exact model page and build sheet for the vehicle you are considering.
When is the redesigned Lexus NX expected to arrive?
Lexus’s current NX page says the redesigned 2027 NX is arriving in winter 2026. That timing can affect inventory and incentives on 2026 vehicles, so verify local availability before making a decision.
How can I confirm whether an NX can tow my trailer?
Find the towing and payload ratings for the exact NX year, drivetrain and factory equipment in its owner’s manual or official specifications. Match those limits to the loaded trailer and tongue weight; the cited comparison sources do not provide a single NX towing number.
