Lexus LM vs Mercedes-Benz GLS
Verdict
The Lexus LM asks RM1,228,000 against RM999,888 for the Mercedes-Benz GLS, and that RM228,112 gap buys a different brief rather than extra speed. The LM is the taller chauffeur-style MPV, with a 2.5-litre petrol-hybrid powertrain, eCVT, power sliding doors, a five-year warranty and RM835 road tax. The GLS counters as the stronger all-wheel-drive SUV: 362 hp, 500 Nm, 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, a 355-litre boot and RM1,638 road tax. Drive yourself and carry bags, and the Mercedes has the harder numbers; prioritise rear access, and the Lexus makes sense.
LM
Pick the Lexus LM if you want a seven-seat MPV with petrol-hybrid running gear, power sliding doors, lower RM835 road tax and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
GLS
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLS if you want a seven-seat SUV with AWD, 362 hp/500 Nm, 6.1-second 0-100 km/h pace and much more boot space.
Key differences
- Powertrain: Lexus LM 2,494 cc petrol hybrid with 188 hp/236 Nm plus a 180 hp/270 Nm motor; Mercedes-Benz GLS 2,999 cc petrol with 362 hp/500 Nm
- Driveline/transmission: Lexus LM front-wheel drive eCVT; Mercedes-Benz GLS all-wheel drive 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic
- Dimensions: Lexus LM 5,125/1,890/1,955 mm; Mercedes-Benz GLS 5,207/2,157/1,823 mm
- Wheelbase/boot: Lexus LM 3,000 mm/110 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLS 3,135 mm/355 litres
- Suspension/wheels: Lexus LM MacPherson strut/double wishbone on 19-inch wheels; Mercedes-Benz GLS double wishbone/multi-link air suspension on 22-inch wheels
- Warranty/road tax: Lexus LM 5 years unlimited/RM835 yearly; Mercedes-Benz GLS 4 years unlimited/RM1,638 yearly
LM
- Petrol-hybrid powertrain with a 180 hp/270 Nm motor and eCVT
- Power sliding doors with soft-close suit the MPV body
- Longer 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty and lower RM835 road tax
- RM228,112 dearer than the GLS
- Front-wheel drive only; GLS is all-wheel drive
- Boot space is 110 litres versus 355 litres
GLS
- 362 hp/500 Nm petrol engine with AWD; 0-100 km/h takes 6.1 seconds
- 355-litre boot and 90-litre fuel tank
- AIRMATIC air suspension, Burmester 13-speaker audio and dual 11.6-inch rear screens
- Warranty is 4 years versus Lexus' 5 years
- Road tax is RM1,638 a year versus RM835
- Wider 2,157 mm body versus 1,890 mm
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 1,228,000 | RM 999,888✓ |
| Body type | MPV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, twin turbochargers and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,494 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp | 362 hp✓ |
| Torque | 236 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 180 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 270 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Nickel Metal-Hydride | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | E-CVT | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,125 mm | 5,207 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 2,157 mm |
| Height | 1,955 mm | 1,823 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,000 mm | 3,135 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 110 litres | 355 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R19 | 285/45R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R19 | 285/45R22 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Primacy SUV+ | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | United States (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Mesh Aluminium Alloys | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Mesh Aluminium Alloys | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated, Perforated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | AIRMATIC with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, PRE-SAFE Brake, Full Auto Brake |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam and Sequential Indicators | Multibeam LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 18-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilated | Power Adjustable Front Sports Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with Power Fold | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Balance Perfume System and Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | Rear Panoramic Roof | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Powered rear sun shade and rear door window shades | Powered Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers | 12.3" MBUX, COMAND Controller, Touchpad, Burmester Sound System with 13 Speakers (590W) and rear seat individual entertainment system, including two 11.6-inch monitors with wireless headphones, rear center armrest control/USB/audio interface |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding with Soft-close Function, One-touch Auto Close, Anti-pinch | Soft Close Function, All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | MBUX Interior Assistant, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 835✓ | RM 1,638 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
LM vs GLS FAQ
Is the Lexus LM or Mercedes-Benz GLS better?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is better for power, driveline and cargo space: 362 hp, AWD and 355 litres. The Lexus LM is the better chauffeur-style MPV choice with power sliding doors, hybrid assistance and a longer five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LM is RM228,112 more expensive, at RM1,228,000 against RM999,888 for the Mercedes-Benz GLS.
Which is cheaper to tax each year?
The Lexus LM is cheaper to tax, at RM835 a year. The Mercedes-Benz GLS costs RM1,638 a year, which is RM803 more annually.