Compare the2026 Lexus RXVS 2026 Mercedes GLB

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the RX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The GLB doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The RX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GLB doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The RX has standard Intuitive Parking Assist with Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The GLB doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The RX’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLB.

The Lexus RX’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mercedes GLB does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the RX and the GLB have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Warranty

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLB. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the GLB ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The RX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the GLB’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Lexus RX Hybrid’s reliability 12 points higher than the GLB and the Lexus RX is rated 34 points higher than the GLB.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RX second among midsize premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The GLB isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 44 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 21st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 103 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 19th.

Engine

The RX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 25 more horsepower (246 vs. 221) than the GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The RX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 54 more horsepower (275 vs. 221) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 258) than the GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The RX 450h+ Luxury’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 83 more horsepower (304 vs. 221) than the GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The RX 500h F Sport Performance’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 145 more horsepower (366 vs. 221) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 258) than the GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the RX 450h+ Luxury 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Mercedes GLB:

	RX	GLB
Zero to 60 MPH	5.8 sec	6.2 sec
Quarter Mile	14.4 sec	14.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97.1 MPH	94.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the RX 350h running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the GLB 250 4MATIC (37 city/34 hwy vs. 24 city/33 hwy).

The RX 450h+ can travel with zero emissions for 38 miles. The GLB can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The RX 350’s standard fuel tank has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLB (17.8 vs. 15.9 gallons).

Transmission

The RX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The GLB doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the RX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GLB:

	RX	RX 500h	GLB
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	15.7 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	13.4 inches	13.4 inches	12.6 inches

The RX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the GLB are solid, not vented.

The RX stops shorter than the GLB:

	RX	GLB
60 to 0 MPH	128 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GLB. The RX’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the GLB.

The RX has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the GLB; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the GLB don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RX is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 4 inches wider in the rear than on the GLB.

The RX 450h+ Luxury executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GLB 250 4MATIC (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the GLB’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the RX 350 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GLB (8.1 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the RX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The RX 350h’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the GLB (8.2 vs. 7.9 inches).

Passenger Space

The RX has 2.2 inches more front shoulder room and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the GLB.

Cargo Capacity

The RX has a much larger cargo volume than the GLB with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 12.4 cubic feet).

The RX’s cargo area is larger than the GLB’s in almost every dimension:

	RX	GLB
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	40”/76.2”	32.5”/71”
Max Width	55.5”	41.6”
Min Width	42”	41.6”
Height	30”	37.2”

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the RX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The GLB doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The RX offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The GLB has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the RX uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The GLB doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 26% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 14th.

Ergonomics

The RX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The GLB does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The RX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless-Start standard on the GLB only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the RX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the GLB only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The GLB doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the RX has standard extendable sun visors. The GLB doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the RX and the GLB have standard heated front seats. The RX also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the GLB.

The RX Premium/Luxury/F Sport has standard front air conditioned seats and the RX offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The GLB doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Lexus RX has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Mercedes charges extra for Homelink® on the GLB.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus RX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the GLB.

The RX’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Advanced Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The GLB’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus RX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lexus RX outsold the Mercedes GLB by almost 10 to one during 2025.

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