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Lexus NX vs Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

2026 Lexus NX vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Lexus NX

2026 Lexus NX

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 2Tie: 2 categories each
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2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Special Purpose Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Lexus NX is more fuel-efficient: 40 vs 29 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $800 a year less in fuel for the Lexus NX (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Lexus NX is the bigger car, about 10 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class has had fewer recall campaigns (0 vs 18).

The two cars

The 2026 Lexus NX is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 184 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,880 lb (350 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is a special purpose vehicle offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 174 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,869 lb (Amg 35 4matic 4dr SUV AWD).

Buying used? The 2021 NX and the 2024 GLA-Class have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2024 NX.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD
Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

40 MPG
Best combined MPG
29 MPG
42 city
City / highway MPG (best)
26 city
$2,050
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,850

Performance & space

275 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
–
5
Seats (most)
–
183.5 in
Length
173.6 in
73.6 in
Width
72 in
65.7 in
Height
62.6 in
3,880 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,671 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
–
0
Recalls (2026)
0
18
Recalls, all years since 2005
0
6
Owner complaints (latest year)
0

Interest

10,857
Wikipedia views, 30 days
–

Buying used

2021
Best used year
2024
2024
Year to avoid
–

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Lexus NX if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (40 vs 29 MPG)
  • You want more room (10 in longer)

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class if…

  • You want something easier to park (10 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (0 vs 18 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Lexus NX

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 40 MPG combined — 32% better than the average 2026 small SUV (30.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Lexus NX specs →Full 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →