WillieMack

BlownV8

The GL will is slightly more fuel efficient and is easily tuned to 550 HP. The LX is larger but does not look as good as the GL. Toyota reliability is better than MB so it will probably be cheaper to operate. Looks, for sure, the GL wins hands down. For me, the GL would win every time with superior looks, performance, and driving dynamics.

Mr MMG

I was in the exact same position in January last year. 2 babies, 2 teenage boys. It came down to the LX570 and GL500 (That's what its badged in South Africa). Both are superior vehicles but with major differences. I do quite a bit of overlanding and off roading so I thought the LX570 was the best choice but the wife decided that she wants the GL for the following reasons:
1. Lexus salesman was a real a$$$hole
2. 2nd row seats fold down automatically (THIS is the REAL winner for us). Baby 1 sits in the 2nd row and baby 2 in the 3rd row behind baby 1. That way, 3rd row seating always accessible.
3. Looks. The LX570 looks good (IMO) but the wife mentioned to me that its more suited to the older gentlemen than a hip 40 year old . The GL with AMG package and 21" wheels looks SOOO much better
4. Power. Although the Lexus has a bigger engine, its slower that the GL. I enjoy a spirited drive every now and then.

I've installed a Thule roofbox to take care of the prams and all other stuff that's needed for vacations. I would still like an LX570....someday when I'm older.

Good luck with whatever you decide to go for....

jbattan

Bahnstormer

The Merc certainly wins on prestige and brand superiority.

chsu74

Lexus will give you better resale value so the extra fuel costs spent on the lexus is a wash. Maintenance will also be cheaper on a Lexus. I would not hesitate buying a Lexus diesel version instead of the Merc.

WillieMack

novae500

trouble free maintenance long term, i would purchase Lexus. For looks, prestige and oil leaks here and there, Mercedes. I dont think i've owned a mercedes that didnt have a rear main seal leak at 30,000 miles. Try to buy an extended warranty if you do consider the GL.

chsu74

The '13-14 GL 450 and 550 are the same motor.
The 450 is a detuned V8TT version that you can tune to 550 levels for $1K. They are reliable motors and air suspension have improved from the previous gen where it was a guarantee fail at 5 years and 70K miles. Turbos are easy to get to and very little have gone wrong with these motors. This power plant has been around for over 10 years starting in the CLS and S class. Look for a high optioned 450 if you don't care for the 550 looks. Buy one with CPO and max out warranty to 7 yrs/100K for a few $K through an online guy often mentioned here cheap.

rominl

to us the GL is bigger in 2nd row and considerably larger in 3rd row. i wouldn't want to be in LX 3rd row at all but i am ok in GL 3rd row.

but like what i said on clublexus, we were in the same boat as you but we were looking new, and the GL was clear winner (we lease). however if we were to purchase a 5 yr old used one? i would be quite worried about the GL.

SndsoftheSbrbs

I have to laugh at this. Any real car enthusiast would not even consider getting any Lexus over a Mercedes-Benz.

black06c230

chsu74

So poorly informed. The landcruiser design is engineered to last 300K. Other cars in the market today are built to a price point instead of a spec.

dryrunner

So I own a 2015 GL550 and a 2015 Land Cruiser. Both are great cars. Very different cars. The GL is very comfortable, fast, nimble, great tech, better 3rd row seats (even though 2 vrs 3). Wife has GL daily, I have the LC (and a LS460 for comfort). No issues with the LC and I can do all the maintenance myself.

The GL should be the primary consideration. We have had only one problem with the GL for the active suspension. I use the LC for offroading as a second hobby. That is what it is built for. The LC is a tank. Can it go fast, sure, but really scary above 70mph. (mine is lifted and big tires). The 2016+ tech is better than the 2015, but still not close to the GL. The GL gets about 14.5mpg, the LC 13.

WillieMack

WillieMack

SaniDel

We owned ten 'Lexi' (SC, LX, RX, GX and six LX) since 1995 so we agree with the claims about superior reliability. In 2015 we were ready to buy our 11th Lexus when the current version of the LX570 was released. Unfortunately, one look at the "spindle grille" sent us running. What looks sporty and futuristic on smaller vehicles looks hideous on a large SUV.

We took our 10th Lexus to Mercedes and traded it on a GL550. We've been pleasantly surprised by the reliability and even the cost of maintenance seems in line with what we were used to with Lexus. The previous comments are spot-on, especially about carrying capacity and off-road ability.

Are you sure you need a Lexus when a Toyota will do? In other words, do you need to pay the "Lexus premium" for an LX over a Land Cruiser?

dryrunner

The LC is bigger for the front row seats. Flat and wide versus GL narrow and bolster hugging. Second row I would give the width edge to the LC. I can place carseat in the middle and easily fold the other seat down. I need to shove it to the side in the GL to fold the seat down. 3rd seat on LC is wider but low and not comfortable for adults. The GL is comfy. THe GL has a flat storage with the 3rd row seats down which is better than the LC. I have removed the 3rd row seats in the LC, but the 2nd row seat just fold up to the front row, so I think the GL is still better for cargo carrying. LC is taller.

The LX has air shocks and leveling system, which makes lifting and custom suspension mods nearly impossible. It does look fugly now.

Beachproducer

We have a 2015 LX and my 2014 GL & hands down the Merc is the winner when everyone wants to go out for dinner...

We're talking six adults spanning 45-75, all with various ailments, creaky knees, and average sized adults.

The ease for two six footers to get into the 3rd row, and the mass amount of leg room for the 2nd row leaves the Lexus in the dust regarding comfort.

We tried once to get everybody into the Lexus for a dinner trip, and wound up having the ones in the 3rd row swear it off - they didn't feel comfortable having knees up to chins the whole ride.

Third row space in the Mercedes is fantastic by comparison.

And the power! I'm waiting with bated breath to get the ECU tuned up to the 550hp output.

miky702

So people who go offroad aren't real car enthusiast? I'm sure the lx does alot better in this area than the gl.
I'm sure the new lc500 drives much better than the sl550 but I'm sure you'd pick the mercedes because you're such a car enthusiast...

SndsoftheSbrbs

No one is going to take either car off-road, and the GL/GLS550's performance on the road is dramatically superior to the LX570's.

There is more to an automobile than performance. There is the brand heritage (Mercedes' is longer than any other) and the intangibles like how you feel behind the wheel, etc. that wed a car enthusiast to a car. By the way, the SL550 is quicker and has a more appealing design.

Jan AMG

SndsoftheSbrbs

I wouldn't buy an X166 for off-roading either. I wouldn't buy a Land Cruiser for on-roading.

Jan AMG

miky702

Still no need to talk down another brand like you did just because you don't like the brand. It makes you look like a brand ***** who only cares about the badge. I'd pick some mercedes model over the Lexus ones for various reasons, brand being one reason but definitely not the most important one.

I can say that a real car enthusiast would not even consider getting any mercedes over a porsche, a land rover, an aston or bentley, but I'm sure you'd think that's ignorant just like how you are being ignorant.

And your argument of picking the sl550 over lc500 because it's quicker lol. I understand that the design is subjective, but the LC is universally praised for its design, and the fact that it handles much better than the sl.

How do you feel about the current g wagon? Is it still a car enthusiast choice to those who drives mostly on the road? Plenty of porsche and ferrari owners own one.