Forget German luxury SUVs—the Lexus GX makes more sense

Luxury SUVs they have improved so much that they are almost starting to blend into each other. Most of them follow the same formula – quiet cabins, smooth rides, big screens and enough performance to feel expensive.

The Lexus GX it goes in another direction. Instead of trying to soften German luxury SUVs like the BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz GLEleans more toward capability without sacrificing the premium feel people expect from Lexus.

That’s what makes him stand out right now. Although the most luxurious off-road vehicles more like lifted crossovers, the GX still has a stiffer body that’s ready for more than the school run or valet stand.

The information used to compile this article was sourced to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible. BMW, Lexusand Mercedes-Benzincluding other authoritative sources CarBuzz, Car Complaints, CarEdge, JD Power, Kelley Blue Book, NHTSAand RepairPal.

Why the GX still sticks to frame-to-frame toughness

Old-school SUV styling gives the Lexus GX an edge that most luxury rivals lost years ago.

There really aren’t many body-on luxury SUVs left, which is part of who designed the car. GX feel different first. While most luxury models have moved toward softer, crossover-style platforms, Lexus has stuck with a more rigid truck-based setup for a reason.

Simply put, body-on-frame construction means that the body and chassis of an SUV are built separately before being joined together. It’s the same basic formula used in trucks, and it gives the GX advantages like higher ground clearance, better stability, more off-road wheel articulation and more weight handling.

This setup also gives the GX some really serious off-road credentials. Depending on the trim, it offers up to 9.9 inches of ground clearance, can ford about 28 inches of water, and has the approach and departure angles needed for trails that most luxury SUVs wouldn’t even attempt.

How the Lexus GX stacks up while towing

Another advantage of the GX’s ladder frame construction is that pulling power. While compact SUVs like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE are still more capable for everyday use, they’re ultimately built for comfort rather than heavy hauling.

The Lexus GX approaches pickup territory, towing up to 9,096 pounds in Overtrail trim and 9,063 pounds as standard. By comparison, the BMW X5 tops out at £7,200 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE tops out at £7,700.

How the Lexus GX performs off-road

Why does its solid structure matter when the pavement is finished?

Off-road and off-road capability isn’t just about having a stiff frame and decent ground clearance, and the GX is quick to show that. Overtrail trims take things even further with automatic anti-skid bar separation that improves wheel articulation when the terrain gets tough.

These models are also built with real-world landing in mind, offering pre-wired auxiliary switches for things like light bars, winches or air compressors. What’s more, every GX comes with standard full-time four-wheel drive, which is unmatched by its German rivals.

BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE are closer to road-oriented units AWD offered as an option rather than standard. However, the X5’s system is more about added traction than true off-road capability, while the GLE follows a similar pattern with its sport variants, but with limited trail-oriented hardware.

Why Lexus reliability still matters in the GX

Long-term reliability gives it an advantage over competitors

Lexus already has a reputation is one of the most trusted brands on the market today it is often in the top ranks JD PowerReliability studies. The latest generation of the GX is still fairly new, slated for the 2024 model year, so long-term data is still being worked out.

So far, it has only been affected by a single major recall for the 2024 model year, which affected several related Toyota and Lexus models with the V35A engine. The issue was related to debris production, which could potentially cause bearing failure, and fixes included a complete engine replacement, where necessary, without affecting later model years.

Other than that, no widespread or consistent reliability concerns have been reported in such primary sources. NHTSA or Car Complaints. RepairPal currently rates the GX at 4 out of 5 for reliability, which is the same as its first record ever.

Reliability of BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE

The BMW X5 delivers the reliability you’d normally expect from a modern BMW-not terrible, but not class leader either. BMW is in 11th place JD Powerreliability study with 198 problems per 100 vehicles compared to the Lexus at 151 and RepairPal Average rating of X5 for reliability is 2 out of 5.

There have also been some notable customer complaints, including sunroof malfunctions and brake issues that have led to numerous recalls in recent years.

In the same study, Mercedes-Benz fell even lower, with 235 problems per 100 vehicles RepairPal It’s a bit more generous with a 3.5 out of 5 for the GLE 350. However, its current generation has seen continued complaints about electrical problems and recalls for a faulty fuel pump that can cause the engine to stall while driving.

GX 550 maintenance and repair costs

What does it really cost to keep your Lexus GX running long-term?

All luxury SUVs cost more to own over time, but some are noticeably easier on the wallet than others. The GX 550 falls into the more forgiving category thanks to a strong early reliability showing.

according to CarEdgebased on current projections, it is estimated to cost about $2,751 in maintenance and repairs over the first five years, for a 10-year total of about $8,212.

That puts it about $4,241 below the luxury SUV segment average. It also carries a 21.14 percent overhaul chance over the same period, which is about 17 percent better than similar cars, and looks more reasonable next to rivals like the BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE 350.

The BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 aren’t cheap to own

The GX’s estimated 10-year maintenance at around $8,000 doesn’t sound small, but it’s widespread, relatively manageable in this segment. The BMW X5 tells a very different story, with projected maintenance and repair costs of around $19,490 over 10 years.

Even in the first five years, X5 owners are still looking at around $6,116, with a 56.41 percent chance of a major overhaul during that time. The BMW softens the blow a bit with two years or 26,000 miles of free maintenance, compared to just one year or 10,000 miles on the Lexus.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 lands in between, but is still expensive in the long run with around $15,230 in 10-year maintenance costs. About $4,791 of that is expected in the first five years, and there’s still a 44 percent chance of major repairs during that time.

Why does the GX hold its value better than its German rivals?

Slower depreciation gives Lexus an advantage in long-term ownership costs

CarEdge data shows that the GX holds its value better than most of its competitors by a significant margin. As with most luxury SUVs, depreciation is inevitable, however GX 550 it is projected to lose only 33 percent of its value in the first five years.

This is a strong result in this segment and continues Lexus’ trend of outperforming its competitors when it comes to resale value. Compared to most luxury SUVs, it simply holds its value longer, which helps soften the blow of ownership costs over time.

Resale value of BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE

BMW and Mercedes-Benz don’t exactly shine when it comes to resale value in this segment. according to CarEdge The BMW X5 reportedly loses about 59 percent of its value after five years, bringing it down from about $81,383 to about $32,985.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 it holds up a little better, but takes a big hit, losing about 48 percent in value over the same period. That leaves it with an estimated five-year resale value of about $33,601, based on a new price of $64,667.