Lexus LX500D vs Mercedes-Benz GLE400

What's the difference?

The Lexus LX range has undergone significant updates across the board and the carmaker has also introduced an off-road-focused variant, the Overtrail, to the Aussie market.

The LX500d Overtrail is geared up for 4WDing and, as such, is kitted out with front and rear locking differentials, Toyo Open Country all-terrain tyres on 18-inch rims, as well as a stack of driver-assist aids – including the proven Multi-Terrain Select from Toyota’s LandCruiser 300 Series – all aimed at making you The Absolute King of the Dirty Weekend.

But, being a Lexus, the Overtrail is of course on the right side of premium, replete with a features list as long as … something that is long.

So, how does it perform off-road?

Read on.

This is the first real Mercedes-Benz GLE. It's the second version of the SUV, but the last one was really just a big update of the old ML, and it never really soared to the heights it could have as a result of that.

But this new version - the 2020 GLE - is exactly that. It's new.

The exterior is new. The engines are new. The underpinnings are new. The interior - yep, you guessed it - new.

The big question is, though, is the GLE a competitor now? Can it stand up against the BMW X5, Maserati Levante, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, Volvo XC90 and even the VW Touareg?

Let's find out.