Forget German luxury SUVs—the Lexus GX makes more sense

Luxury SUVs have gotten so good across the board that they almost start blending together. Most of them chase the same formula too—quiet cabins, smooth rides, big screens, and just enough performance to feel expensive.

The Lexus GX goes in a different direction. Instead of trying to out-soften German luxury SUVs like the BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz GLE, it leans harder into capability without giving up the premium feel people expect from Lexus.

That’s what makes it stand out right now. While most luxury SUVs are built more like lifted crossovers, the GX still sticks with a tougher body-on-frame setup that feels ready for more than just the school run or valet stand.

Why the GX still sticks with body-on-frame toughness

The old-school SUV setup gives the Lexus GX an edge most luxury rivals lost years ago

There really aren’t many body-on-frame luxury SUVs left anymore, which is part of what makes the GX feel different in the first place. While most luxury models have moved toward softer, crossover-style platforms, Lexus stuck with the tougher truck-based setup for a reason.

In simple terms, body-on-frame construction means the SUV’s body and chassis 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 durability, more wheel articulation off-road, and a greater ability to handle weight.

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

How the Lexus GX stacks up on towing

Another advantage of the GX’s ladder-frame setup is towing strength. While unibody SUVs like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE are still more than capable for everyday use, they’re ultimately built more for comfort than heavy hauling.

The Lexus GX pushes closer to pickup truck territory, with up to 9,096 pounds of towing capacity in Overtrail trim and 9,063 pounds as standard. By comparison, the BMW X5 tops out at 7,200 pounds, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE raises that slightly to 7,700 pounds.

How the Lexus GX performs off the beaten path

Why its rugged setup still matters when the pavement ends

Off-road and overlanding capability isn’t just about having a tough frame and decent ground clearance, and the GX shows that pretty quickly. The Overtrail trims take things further with an automatic anti-sway bar disconnect, which improves wheel articulation when the terrain gets rough.

Those models are also set up with real-world overlanding in mind, offering pre-wired auxiliary switches for things like light bars, winches, or air compressors. On top of that, every GX comes with standard full-time four-wheel drive, something its German rivals don’t match.

The BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE both stick closer to road-focused setups, with AWD offered as an option rather than standard. Even then, the X5’s system is more about added traction than true off-road ability, while the GLE follows a similar pattern with sporty variants but limited trail-focused hardware.

Why Lexus reliability still matters in the GX

How long-term dependability gives it an edge over rivals

Lexus already has a reputation for being one of the most reliable brands on sale today, often ranking near the top in J.D. Power’s dependability studies. The GX’s latest generation is still fairly new, having launched for the 2024 model year, so long-term data is still building.

So far, it’s only been affected by a single major recall tied to the 2024 model year, which also impacted a few related Toyota and Lexus models with the V35A engine. The issue involved manufacturing debris that could potentially lead to bearing failure, and fixes included full engine replacement where necessary, with later model years unaffected.

Outside of that, there haven’t been any widespread or consistent reliability concerns reported across major sources like NHTSA or Car Complaints. RepairPal currently rates the GX at 4 out of 5 for reliability, which lines up with its early track record so far.

Reliability of the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE

The BMW X5 delivers the kind of reliability you’d typically expect from a modern BMW—not terrible, but not class-leading either. BMW ranks 11th in J.D. Power’s dependability study with 198 problems per 100 vehicles, compared to Lexus at 151, and RepairPal rates the X5 a below-average 2 out of 5 for reliability.

There are also some notable customer complaints, including reports of sunroof failures and brake-related issues that led to multiple recalls in recent years.

Mercedes-Benz lands even lower in the same study at 235 problems per 100 vehicles, though RepairPal is slightly more generous with a 3.5 out of 5 rating for the GLE 350. Even so, its current generation has seen recalls tied to a faulty fuel pump that could cause the engine to shut off while driving, along with ongoing complaints about electrical issues.

GX 550 maintenance and repair costs

What it really costs to keep the Lexus GX running long-term

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

According to CarEdge, it’s estimated to cost around $2,751 in maintenance and repairs over the first five years, with a 10-year total of about $8,212 based on current projections.

That puts it roughly $4,241 below the luxury SUV segment average. It also carries a 21.14 percent chance of a major repair in that timeframe, which is about 17 percent better than similar vehicles—making it look even more reasonable next to rivals like the BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE 350.

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

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

Even in the first five years, X5 owners are still looking at around $6,116, along with a 56.41 percent chance of a major repair during that period. BMW does soften the blow slightly with two years or 26,000 miles of complimentary maintenance, compared to just one year or 10,000 miles on the Lexus.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 lands in between but still leans expensive long-term, with an estimated $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 a major repair in that timeframe.

Why the GX holds its value better than German rivals

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

CarEdge data shows the GX holding its value better than most of its rivals by a noticeable margin. Like most luxury SUVs, depreciation is unavoidable, but the GX 550 is projected to lose only about 33 percent of its value over the first five years.

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

Resale value of the 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 data, the BMW X5 loses around 59 percent of its value after five years, which drops it from an average new price of about $81,383 down to roughly $32,985.

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