Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Lexus TX

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA was a modern take on the subcompact SUV, slotting in as the smallest in the Mercedes lineup. Its proportions and styling were distinct, with a taller stance and shorter length compared to its predecessor, giving it a beefier and more muscular look. Despite its small windows, the GLA offered ample visibility from the inside, thanks to its seating positions and greenhouse design. However, the interior left much to be desired, with less-than-premium surfaces and a lack of luxury feel compared to other crossovers. While the seats were well-appointed, the overall interior quality did not match the expectations set by its exterior.

The 2026 Lexus TX, on the other hand, offered a variety of packages that catered to different preferences, from the Luxury package to the F Sport 3 package. Its exterior featured a large grille and sharp bi-LED headlights, with rear LED lighting spanning the vehicle's width. Inside, the TX provided three interior colour options and ambient lighting, though the material quality fell short of luxury standards. The redesigned door handles were a unique touch, but the focus on such details seemed misplaced when more attention could have been given to the cabin's overall quality.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA was available in three variants, each offering different performance levels. The GLA 250 4MATIC was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, with a top speed of 210 km/h. The AMG GLA 35 and AMG GLA 45 offered more power, with 302 hp and 382 hp, respectively, and faster acceleration times. The GLA's AWD system could be adjusted through various drive modes, providing different torque distributions for different driving conditions. However, the GLA 250 struggled with turbo lag and low-end gearing confusion, affecting its performance in daily driving.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered two powertrain options: a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the TX 350 and a 366-horsepower hybrid powertrain in the TX 500h. The gas model featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid used a six-speed automatic. The TX 350 came with full-time AWD, and the TX 500h had Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. Drive modes included Normal, Eco, and Sport, with Sport mode enhancing throttle sensitivity. The TX 500h also featured adaptive suspension and rear steering for improved handling.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA offered a more SUV-like seating position with easy ingress and egress. Front passengers enjoyed excellent headroom and legroom, while the rear seats provided more legroom than before, accommodating smaller adults comfortably. The GLA's cargo space was average for its class, with 435 litres behind the rear seats and 1,430 litres with the seats folded. The power liftgate and nearly flat load floor made loading and unloading cargo convenient.

The 2026 Lexus TX excelled in interior space, with three-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom. The second-row seats could be tilted and slid forward for easy third-row access, though folding them flat was more complicated. The TX offered excellent cargo space, with 572 litres behind the third row, 1,625 litres with the third row folded, and 2,747 litres with all rear seats folded. It could tow up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA featured the MBUX infotainment system with two 7.0-inch display screens, four USB ports, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Upgrades included a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a 12-speaker Burmester audio system, and wireless device charging. The system was user-friendly, with intuitive scrolling and selection functionality, though it lacked a quick way to scroll through radio stations. The GLA also introduced a car-wash function for convenience.

The 2026 Lexus TX had a 14-inch touchscreen that was responsive but lacked some features, such as manual satellite radio input. Steering wheel buttons controlled various functions but were not labeled, making them confusing to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though connectivity issues occurred. The TX offered a back-up camera with a bird’s-eye view and an Advanced Park system for automated parking. It also featured seven USB ports and wireless charging.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA came with a reasonable amount of active safety features, including a rearview camera, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and driver-drowsiness monitoring. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. However, the GLA's safety features were not as comprehensive as those offered by less expensive SUVs.

The 2026 Lexus TX included the Safety System+ 3.0 as standard, with features like forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, and traffic sign recognition. Proactive Driving Assist was also included, though it could be overly sensitive. The adaptive cruise control worked well once set up, and the TX received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS.