Luxury SUVs are everywhere these days. With so many options, it's easy to find yourself with choice paralysis, but one stands out as a well-balanced rival to its German competitors. Lexus has had a hand in developing the luxury SUV from first principles — the brand changed the industry when it switched from making body-on-frame SUVs to car-like unibody SUVs that favor comfort over ruggedness. However, some buyers still reject the idea of a unibody SUV. That's where the Lexus GX comes into play.The GX favors the bold; it works hard and plays hard on and off the pavement in all trim levels. German rivals like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class tread on the side of caution with comfort-oriented models (and the occasional sporty variant from the BMW M and MB AMG divisions). That opens up a rugged avenue for Lexus to continue building the luxurious GX as a more capable body-on-frame model. The GX's Body-On Frame Construction LexusThere aren't too many body-on-frame luxury SUVs today, but the GX is here to prove there's still a market for the rugged capability such a platform provides. First, the basics: "body-on-frame" means the SUV is constructed in two sections — a rolling chassis and a body. The chassis consists of a ladder frame structure, axles, driveshaft, and powertrain, while the body of the model is constructed separately, then the two get bolted together later down the assembly line. The GX's use of this construction means it can take advantage of high ground clearance (8.9–9.9 inches depending on the trim level), greater wheel articulation off-road, and it can handle more weight.Expert reviews cite the GX's superior wading depth at 27.6 inches of water, its approach and departure angles of up to 26 and 23 degrees, respectively, and a breakover angle of up to 24 degrees as reasons why body-on-frame construction makes for a more capable vehicle. Most people assume that body-on-frame SUVs handle like trucks and aren't comfortable on the road, but findings from our own test drive help to dispel that argument:Lexus is a luxury brand, so no matter the capability, it has to stay true to its luxury roots. The GX pulls off this feat nicely, more so in the Premium and Luxury trims, where the Overtrail goes harder toward capability. No matter the trim, it’s a confident and relaxing ride that isn’t overly sporty but still provides a solid amount of engagement for the driver. It’s also pleasant on side roads with a minimum of body roll and a suspension system that soaks up all but the worst bumps in the road - Nicole Wakelin, CarBuzz Lexus GX Towing Capacity Compared to Rivals BMWAnother benefit to a ladder frame is its towing capacity. While unibody models like the X5 and GLE-Class SUVs can still tow plenty for the average family, Lexus reaches pickup truck levels of confidence with the ability to tow up to 9,096 pounds in its Overtrail trim level. Even the base model can still pull 9,063 pounds as standard. BMW aims for comfort over all in the X5, so its unibody construction drives more like a car and limits its towing capabilities to 7,200 pounds. Mercedes-Benz ups the ante with a 7,700-pound limit, which matches some midsize trucks. The Lexus GX Proves Itself on the Trail LexusThere's more to off-roading and overlanding than a stiff frame and good ground clearance. Although those features certainly help, the GX becomes another animal thanks to its other upgrades. The Overtrail trim levels come with standard automatic anti-sway bar disconnects, which, when disconnected, give the model better wheel flex/articulation. These trims are also ready to accept aftermarket modifications like light bars, winches, or air compressors, since they come with pre-wired auxiliary switches. All GX trims come with standard full-time four-wheel drive, which can't be said about its German rivals.Neither the X5 nor GLE-Class come with standard all-wheel drive, and neither has a true 4WD system. However, both offer optional AWD trims. The BMW X5 xDrive40i costs $2,300 more than its base model with RWD, and it can be outfitted with air suspension and a trailer hitch — otherwise, it has no real off-road options. The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class SUV has a similar story, being available with sporty variants, but no off-road capability or options. Lexus Reliability Holds Steady in the GX LexusEverybody knows Lexus as one of the most reliable brands on sale — if not the most reliable automakers, according to J.D. Power's latest dependability study. The GX is still relatively new, though, with its most recent generation having debuted for the 2024 model year. So far, it's only been subject to a single major recall, and virtually no major or consistent complaints across platforms like the Car Complaints and the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA).The recall was issued on November 6th, 2025, only affects the 2024 model year (in addition to the LX and Toyota Tundra with the V35A engine), and pertains to manufacturing debris in the engine that may cause the bearing to fail. The recall fixed the issue by replacing the engine entirely if needed, and all model years after 2024 are safe from the issue. That said, there are no other concerns about the GX's reliability from the last few years. Sources like RepairPal give the GX a 4/5 in reliability, and other sources agree thus far. BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Reliability Mercedes-BenzThe X5 is as reliable as one might expect from a modern BMW. BMW itself ranks in 11th place with 198 problems per 100 vehicles on J.D. Power's dependability study, which isn't great compared to Lexus' 151 PP100. RepairPal gives the X5 a below average reliability score of 2 out of 5. There are some serious customer concerns as well, including complaints about the sunroof "exploding" for seemingly no reason and brake problems that should have been addressed by two major recalls in the last year.Mercedes-Benz ranks even lower in the dependability study with 235 problems per 100 vehicles. RepairPal gives the GLE 350 a 3.5 out of 5 for reliability, though. Its current generation was affected by a recall pertaining to a faulty fuel pump that may cause the vehicle to shut down while driving, and recent customer complaints include concerns about various electrical issues. GX 550 Cost of Ownership: Maintenance and Repair Costs LexusAll luxury SUVs are bound to be expensive in the long run, but some are more affordable than others. The GX 550 is one of those models, since it's proving to be fairly reliable still. According to CarEdge, the GX 550 will cost owners about $2,751 to repair and maintain over the first five years of ownership, and it will reach an estimated 10-year maintenance and repair cost of $8,212 based on current data.That beats the industry average for luxury SUV models by $4,241. Additionally, the GX 550 has a calculated 21.14% chance of needing a major repair in that time, which is 17.37% better than similar vehicles in this segment. That all sounds like a lot of money, but it's actually not too bad when compared to the X5 and GLE 350. The BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 Aren't so Cheap BMWWe know $8,000 sounds like a lot for GX maintenance, but spread out over 10 years makes it more bearable. What's less bearable is the BMW X5's estimated $19,490 for maintenance and repairs in the same 10-year window. Shorten the timeline to its first five years on the road, and buyers are still looking at an estimated $6,116 for maintenance. There's a 56.41% chance it'll need major repairs in that time, too.One area where BMW actually beats Lexus is its two-year complimentary maintenance program. X5 buyers automatically get access to two years or 26,000 miles of free regular maintenance (including oil changes, filters, etc.), while the GX is only offered with one year or 10,000 miles of a similar program.The Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 is slightly better, but nowhere near the BMW's costs. CarEdge explains how owners will spend an estimated $15,230 on maintenance and repairs over their first ten years of ownership, and $4,791 of that total could occur in the first five years on the road. There's also a 44% chance the GLE 350 will need a major repair within either timeframe. Depreciation Hits More Slowly than German Rivals LexusCarEdge continues to offer insights into the GX by noting its depreciation is better than any of its rivals by far. It's common for luxury models of any kind to lose value more quickly than cheaper cars; that said, the GX 550 is set to lose only 33% of its value over the first five years on the road. Lexus models in general tend to hold value better than any other competitor's SUVs. BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Resale Values Mercedes-BenzBMW and Mercedes-Benz both suffer from poor resale value. CarEdge's data shows that the X5 loses about 59% of its value after just five years of ownership, and the GLE 350 depreciated by 48% in the same timeframe. The source assumes an average new selling price of $81,383 for the X5, and its data backs up an estimated average resale value of $32,985 after half a decade. The GLE 350 follows a similar fate with an estimated resale value of $33,601 after five years, which is based on a new selling price of $64,667.
+61 others
