Luxury SUVs come in all shapes and sizes today, and most brands produce one or another. If there is a marque that constantly stands out for delivering luscious and potent rides, though, it is Mercedes-Benz. While we know that some of you are not fans of Mercedes for certain reasons, there is no denying that they turn out some of the most prestigious SUVs on the market. Of these, the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is by far one of Mercedes’ most popular lines, with tens of thousands being sold here in the U.S. each year.
However, despite the undeniable popularity of the compact GLC, there is a luxurious Japanese SUV made by Lexus that is quietly and quite conclusively outselling it. The Mercedes GLC has seen a sharp rise in sales between 2024 and 2025, but this mid-sized Lexus SUV is beating it on more than one front.
The Mercedes GLC Saw Huge 2024-To-2025 Growth, But The Lexus RX Sold More
In 2025, the mid-sized Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class shifted over 70,000 models in the U.S. alone. For a model with an MSRP of $50,400 and not the cheapest running costs, we’d say that is very impressive. However, the mid-sized 2025 Lexus RX, in all of its forms, shifted well over 100,000 models, all while boasting a very similar MSRP. Is there a good reason why the Lexus RX lineup far outsold the Mercedes GLC lineup last year?
2024 Vs. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC Sales Figures In The U.S.A.
According to Mercedes-Benz, in 2024, the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class SUV sold roughly 64,200 units in the U.S.A. At the end of Q4 of 2025, they reported a 20 percent sales increase of the line throughout the year. This is as in-depth as Mercedes has reported on 2025 GLC sales, but we can work out that it totals an increase of approximately 12,840 models, or roughly 77,040 models sold altogether.
This increase in sales of the Mercedes GLC also contributes to the whopping 303,200 Mercedes-Benz models sold in 2025 in the U.S.A., which marks a one-percent increase in total sales compared to 2024. In short, it looked like a relatively good year for the luxury German marque.
2024 Vs. 2025 Lexus RX Sales Figures In The U.S.A.
The story is slightly different for Lexus and the RX. While the whole Lexus division reported an increase in sales of 7.5 percent, taking the 2024 total vehicles sold from 349,669 to the total vehicles sold in 2025 to 370,260, the 2025 Lexus RX lineup actually saw a decrease in sales compared to the 2024 model.
According to the final year report from Toyota, in 2024, the Lexus RX sold 118,636 models. In 2025, 113,256 Lexus RX models were sold. This marks a decrease of 4.2 percent year-on-year. However, despite similar starting prices to the GLC and a decrease in sales, the Lexus RX quite conclusively outsold the luxury German rival.
Why This Luxury SUV From Japan Deserves Way More Attention
In a world of flashy badges and ostentatious luxury, one SUV stands out for its quiet confidence and timeless appeal.
Is The Mercedes-Benz GLC Too Expensive, Or Is The Lexus RX Just That Good?
While both the 2025 Lexus RX and 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class boast very similar starting prices, the higher-end trim of the GLC far outprices the top trim of the Lexus RX. We know that the Mercedes badge carries an awful amount of weight in the executive SUV market, but Lexus is no stranger to high accolades and offering a serene ride as well, especially from their impressive RX.
It is the Mercedes-Benz flagship compact SUV versus the Lexus flagship mid-sized SUV, and both offer some of the best tech, comfort, and forward-thinking designs on the luxury SUV market, but is the price of the more desirable and most kitted-out GLC models just too much in comparison when you have the Lexus RX on offer? We don’t think so.
2025 Lexus RX Vs. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC Pricing
The Lexus RX is available with either a gas engine, a hybrid powertrain, or a plug-in hybrid, while the GLC is available as a mild-hybrid-powered SUV or a plug-in hybrid SUV. The GLC is also offered in a very potent AMG flavor, which takes horsepower and on-road guts up, but really sends the cost up compared to the top trims of the Lexus RX. Pricing for 2025 Lexus RX trims that boast a gas engine range from $50,475 for the base RX 350 up to $61,270 for the RX 350 Luxury model. For the hybrid range, the base RX 350h starts at $52,775, with the RX 450h+ Luxury topping the range with a $72,610 MSRP.
Find 2026 Lexus RX and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC models boasting a mild-hybrid powertrain start at $50,400 for the base GLC 300 model, and reach $54,500 for the GLC 300 Pinnacle trim. The PHEV models start at $61,050 for the GLC 350e and top out at $64,650 for the top-of-the-line GLC 350e Pinnacle. The sportiest flavors of the 2025 Mercedes GLC lineup you can get are the AMG models, which include the GLC 43 and the GLC 63 S E Performance. Starting prices are $68,250 and $87,200, respectively. So, while the top trim of the 2025 RX is more expensive than the lowest level of the GLC AMG, and the comparable RX hybrid models and GLC plug-in models are quite evenly matched, the rocket that is the GLC 63 S E Performance is some way more expensive.
How Both Luxury SUVs Stack Up In Terms Of Power And Performance
It may look as if the RX and GLC are neck-and-neck for starting prices, but there are a lot of things that set them apart. Namely, it is the power that is available across the grades. As standard, the 2025 Lexus RX 350 comes equipped with a 275-horsepower turbo-four, while the 2025 GLC 300 models come equipped with a 255-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-four mated to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.
However, 0–60 mph times are not comparable; the RX 350 needs just shy of seven seconds to get to 60, while the GLC 300 only needs 5.6 seconds. Bear in mind, though, that one is a mid-sized SUV and the other a lighter, compact/crossover SUV. Lexus RX hybrid trims versus Mercedes GLC plug-in trims is a similar story, with the top two trims of the Lexus RX (450h and 500h+) both outpowering the GLC 350e. However, the base trim of the hybrid Lexus RX is quite conclusively outgunned by the plug-in GLC.
Hybrid Models’ Spec Comparison
|
Spec |
2025 Lexus RX 350h |
2025 Lexus RX 500h |
2025 Lexus RX 450h+ |
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Engine |
2.4-Liter Inline-Four Hybrid |
2.4-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four Hybrid |
2.5-Liter Inline-Four Plug-In Hybrid |
2.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four Plug-In Hybrid |
|
Horsepower |
246 Horsepower |
366 Horsepower |
304 Horsepower |
313 Horsepower |
|
Torque |
233 LB-FT |
406 LB-FT |
398 LB-FT |
406 LB-FT |
|
0–60 MPH |
7.4 Seconds |
5.5 Seconds |
6 Seconds |
5.9 Seconds |
If we look at this in terms of value for money, the 2025 GLC 350e is actually cheaper than the plug-in RX 450h+ while being more powerful and faster. The 500h is more expensive than the top trim of the plug-in GLC and only fractionally faster, while the vastly cheaper and less-powerful base trim of the hybrid RX looks to be a better option if you want comparably low hybrid power over high-end sprints.
According to the folks at Mercedes-AMG — and backed up by my scientific-unscientific observations — runs to 60 from naught can be accomplished in just over three seconds. Additionally, the Mercedes SUV will hit 100 in less time than it takes most cars to reach 60 — just under seven seconds. The 2025 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance will also run the quarter in just over 11 seconds and attain a top speed of 171 miles per hour.
– Lyndon Conrad Bell, TopSpeed Journalist
Where the Lexus RX can’t compete with the GLC is in the echelons of the AMG models. The AMG GLC 43 comes equipped with a 2.0-liter AMG inline-four good for 416 horsepower, while the GLC 63 S E Performance is even more ferocious, with a 671-horsepower/752-pound-foot plug-in turbo-four under the hood. The AMG GLC 63 is an animal, and can hit 60 mph in around 3.1 seconds. We think that all 2025 GLC models, but especially the AMG models, really hit home that both of these luxury SUVs are built for different purposes.
2025 Lexus RX Vs. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC Capability
There is a glaring difference between the Mercedes GLC and the Lexus RX: their sizes. The compact crossover GLC measures 185.7 inches in length and 74.4 inches in width; the Lexus RX measures in at 192.5 inches in length and 75.6 inches in width. The GLC’s slightly shorter stance makes it look like it is made more for performance, while the RX is the slightly more imposing luxury SUV. The difference in exterior size has an impact on the room available inside for you, passengers, and cargo, but it may surprise you which one can carry more.
Interior Dimension Comparison
|
Front Headroom |
Rear Headroom |
Front Legroom |
Rear Legroom |
Maximum Cargo Capacity |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2025 Lexus RX |
37.6 Inches |
37 Inches |
41.1 Inches |
37.4 Inches |
46.2 Cubic Feet |
|
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC |
41.3 Inches |
39.7 Inches |
40.7 Inches |
37.4 Inches |
56.3 Cubic Feet (AMG Models: 54 Cubic Feet) |
The maximum towing capacity for the Lexus RX lineup is 3,500 pounds across the board; all trims of the GLC, up to the AMG GLC 63 S E Performance, can also tow 3,500 pounds, but the top trim of the GLC can muster slightly more. The most expensive 2025 GLC can tow up to 3,968 pounds. So far, you may be wondering how the Lexus has outsold the GLC by so much.
Both Are Luxury, But It Comes In Different Forms
Like we find when looking at Lexus sports cars compared to German sports cars, the way in which you receive the luxury goods is vastly different. Nothing has changed on this front when comparing the Lexus RX and the Mercedes-Benz GLC. The Lexus leans heavily into Takumi Master finery, while the Mercedes goes for unmistakable German flair.
The Lexus RX boasts a sleek, aerodynamic exterior with a spindle-inspired fascia up front that both smooths out airflow and looks very suited to the modern road. Flush windows, a subtle rear spoiler, and 11 available eye-catching colors top off the RX’s build as a head-turning one. Inside, you get a 12.3-inch touchscreen as standard, and a calm, Lexus-esque build with a driver-focused cockpit, 64-color ambient lighting, and available open-pore wood or metallic trim.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC, by contrast, boasts a far more aggressive exterior design, with sculpted body lines, muscular wheel arches, a bold grille framed by slim LED headlights, and a stauncher hood. It is the more performance-looking beast from the off. In the cabin, you get a balance of techy and classy. Everything centers around a 12.3-inch instrument cluster mated with an 11.9-inch touchscreen running the MBUX infotainment system and voice-control support.
Everything inside looks precise and clean-looking, while materials utilized in the GLC lineup are as plush as you’d expect from a Mercedes. You get a choice between MB-Tex and Nappa leather upholstery; optional open-pore wood and fine metal trim are available, and the seats themselves are layered with contours. So, you get comfort in the lower trims or a gripping feel if you splash out for the AMG models.
10 Japanese SUVs Known For Their Bulletproof Engines
Japanese automakers are known for producing some of the most reliable vehicles out there, and these SUVs are prime examples of that reputation.
Conflicting Feedback, But The Lexus RX Beats Mercedes GLC Owner Ratings
The answer to how the RX has conclusively outsold the most popular Mercedes model may lie in how owners have rated both and how much each respective model costs to own. According to owner reviews of the 2025 Lexus RX on J.D. Power, the overall rating of 81 out of 100 and reliability rating of 82 out of 100 shine a better light than the GLC’s overall rating of 77 out of 100 and reliability rating of 74 out of 100.
However, public opinion is a fickle thing, and there are differing opinions on Kelley Blue Book. There have only been three reviews of the 2025 GLC lineup, but with a perfect 5 out of 5 rating, there is little arguing with it. In comparison, the 2025 RX has received 10 reviews and scored a very mediocre 3.1 out of 5.
One Is Going To Cost You Less In The Short And Long Run
There are no prizes for guessing which model will cost you more to own over the short and long-term. German vehicles have gained a reputation for high maintenance costs, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV is no exception. According to RepairPal, the GLC has an average yearly maintenance cost of $1,039. In stark contrast, the Lexus RX will only cost you $550 a year to maintain.
The same can be said about depreciation, but only in the short term. Lexus models are famously good at holding their value, and according to iSeeCars, the Lexus RX loses up to 38.9 percent of its value over five years and up to 68 percent over 10 years. The Mercedes GLC, on the other hand, loses around 48 percent of its value in the first five years and up to 65 percent over 10 years. While a lot of the respective RX and GLC trims are similarly priced, over 10 years, the GLC looks slightly more sure-footed. The higher annual maintenance bill will certainly have an effect when a GLC gets to a decade old, though.
Fuel-costs-wise, at the entry-level, the GLC is slightly more economical than the larger RX. However, as you move up through the trims toward the plug-in hybrid RX and the AMG GLC models, the RX lineup is estimated to cost you less in fuel. According to estimates by FuelEconomy.gov, the fuel consumption rates and annual fuel costs for the 2025 Lexus RX and 2025 Mercedes GLC are as follows.
Fuel Economy Comparison
|
Spec |
2025 Lexus RX 350 (FWD) |
2025 Lexus RX 350 (AWD) |
2025 Lexus RX 350h |
2025 Lexus RX 500h |
2025 Lexus RX 450h+ |
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 (RWD) |
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC |
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e |
2025 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 |
2025 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
City MPG |
22 MPG |
21 MPG |
37 MPG |
27 MPG |
N/A |
24 MPG |
23 MPG |
N/A |
19 MPG |
N/A |
|
Highway MPG |
29 MPG |
28 MPG |
34 MPG |
28 MPG |
N/A |
32 MPG |
31 MPG |
N/A |
25 MPG |
N/A |
|
Combined MPG |
25 MPG |
24 MPG |
36 MPG |
27 MPG |
83 MPGe |
27 MPG |
26 MPG |
64 MPGe |
21 MPG |
31 MPGe |
|
Average Annual Fuel (& Electricity) Cost |
$2,350 |
$2,450 |
$1,600 |
$2,150 |
$1,200 |
$2,150 |
$2,250 |
$1,450 |
$2,800 |
$2,550 |
Trust in a brand also has a huge effect on sales; Lexus is currently ranked as the most reliable brand on the market in terms of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). As per the 2025 Initial Quality Survey, Lexus experiences 166 PP100 while Mercedes-Benz experiences 210 PP100.
While the Mercedes GLC and the Lexus RX look to be very similar in a lot of respects, and you can get a lot more power from the German iteration, we do think that Lexus’ stellar reputation and better reliability track record, combined with the similar prices of the GLC, have made the RX a more appealing buy for the masses. On one side, you get quiet Lexus comfort and cozy luxury, and on the other side, you get performance-inducing feels and a typically German cabin that is as sporty and comfortable as it is precise. Both are very good options for the smaller caliber of SUVs, but it is clear that the Lexus RX is winning on the sales front at the moment.
Sources: Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, FuelEconomy.gov, J.D. Power, RepairPal, CarEdge, iSeeCars, and Kelley Blue Book.