ltcpan

Any comments on the MB 2016 GLE vs 2016 RX 350?

dchar

Probably the closest competitor to the RX in size, but much more expensive when equally equipped.

coolsaber

Buy the GLE if you need
1) Choice of interior materials tailed to your order
2) Bigger trunk
3) Badge
4) Carplay
5) Engine Options

For everything else the RX and GLE are matched

KANG

I bought my wife 2016 rx350 f sport. we considered gle350 cause my wife thinks MB is fancier.
gle350 is about $6000 more than the rx350 f sport. I think the new rx's interior is a lot better looking than gle. gle's interior is outdated, it only had the front face lifted for the 2016. the only thing I like about gle is the size. the rx is overall a better choice for us. Buy the gle if you only want to keep the car for 3-4 years and if you think MB is fancier.

SFocLA

I can speak on both cars. My wife drives GLE350, I drive the RX F Sport. This is my opinion

GLE
cons:
1. interior is crap, the leather is nothing compared to lexus
2. body/interior is nothing new from previous years, we had a 2013 ML350, nothing is different except exterior cosmetics, and the updated display screen and mouse scroll.
3. handling feels like it rolls and does not handle as well but then again I am comparing to f sport

pros:
1. trunk space has more height
2. pano roof can have cross bars (rx can not)
3. cant think of more, I dont like the gle / ml 350 but my wife does

We didnt get the same car twice otherwise my wife does prefer the lexus as we drive it more together. Also think reliability if you are purchasing.

GSY

I would say GLE definitely beats the 3RX in many ways but the 4RX brings it much closer in most ways. Just a question of style and price. Lexus beats MB any day in terms of comparable value.

roblim

Yeah, it's almost not a fare comparison because the 4th gen RX is a completely new model and the GLE is just a refreshed ML class. I test drove an ML a few months ago before buying my RX and I came away very disappointed. I was paying particular attention to ride quality. I thought the ride was very SUV like. A lot of bobbing and floating. It was the standard suspension. I never test drove an air suspension ML. I think that might be much better, but those fancy suspensions are prone to failure and expensive to repair.

I do like the styling of the MLs. Like Audis, they exhibit class and elegance. I wish Lexus followed that design path even if it the result is somewhat boring exteriors. At the end of the day, I will take Lexus reliability and interior quality over MB or Audi exteriors.

ltcpan

I have a 2015 ML 250 Bluetec. Great engine but I find the seats are uncomfortable. I have always wanted an RX for the quality of fit and finish and history of comfort and reliability. I am certain I will take a hit on trade in and will be offered wholesale. So, what to do? I guess the dealer must offer a deal that I cannot refuse.

Bavancena

You can still use the crossbar for the car, provided you take out the bolts thats sticking out of the clamp thing. However it wouldn't be able to support the same weight as if it had that bolt on.

JT4

I had a 2011 ML (worst vehicle I ever owned) and a 2012 ML after MB agreed to a buyback of the 2011.

Click on the link below and go to post #95 which is on page 7. I posted this Nov 2014 and it will give you some insight of what I went through with MB.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...-to-buy-7.html

Good luck whatever you choose.

sirtiger

I am not doubting you. It amazed me that a euro based car handles worse than the Japanese car. 4RX still drives like a heavy marshmallow to me...I am still a bit biased since I prefer sporty cars.

NRX

Both GLE and Q5 (Audi) are due for a major redesign. So unless you're leasing a newly designed RX might make more sense (IMHO).

rayaans

Am I missing something here? Can't see half the posts that were on this thread before

RXOwner

I did the ML350 thing and it was the worst mistake of my life. I spent more and more time in the service department with one error code after another. You could not drive it a few days without it having an error message come up or worst it would go into "limp mode" which reduced your power to about a 1/3 to be able to get it back to the dealer.

I feel sorry for the person who bought that used piece of ----!

JT4

Same here, as I mentioned above I had two ML's, but the 2011 was hands down the worse vehicle I ever owned. I also feel bad for whoever purchased that 2011 as a "CPO".

I will say that my MB service dept was exceptional, even better than Lexus. But then again, you know it's bad when you're there so often that you get to know almost every person by first name. And I'm not kidding..