Head to head

Mercedes G 550 vs Lexus LX 570

Buy the G 550 if you'll actually use three locking diffs and want solid axles you can lift the old-fashioned way. Buy the LX 570 if you want a Land Cruiser 200 with better road manners, eight seats and simpler maintenance, and are happy to let Crawl Control and a locked centre diff do the work.

The short answer

Buy the Mercedes-Benz G 550 if

you want a ladder frame, solid axles at both ends and centre, rear and front 100% locks from the factory, and you'll budget for Mercedes-specific maintenance

Buy the Lexus LX 570 if

you want the 200 Series Land Cruiser's frame and V8 with more comfort, Crawl Control and adjustable AHC height, and an early truck at a much lower price

Side by side

	MERCEDES-BENZ G 550	LEXUS LX 570
Years (US)	2009–2018 (W463)	2008–2021 (no 2012 MY)
Engine	5.5 V8 M273, 382 hp / 391 lb-ft (2009–15); 4.0 twin-turbo V8 M176, 416 hp / 450 lb-ft (2016–18)	5.7 V8 3UR-FE, 383 hp / 403 lb-ft
Transmission	7-spd auto	6-spd AB60F; 8-spd AE80F from 2016
4WD	Permanent 50:50, 2-speed transfer case	Full-time, Torsen centre diff, low range; A-TRAC and Crawl Control
Front suspension	Solid axle, links and coils	Independent double wishbone, AHC hydraulic
Rear suspension	Solid axle, links and coils	Multi-link solid axle, AHC hydraulic
Factory lockers	Centre, rear and front (100%)	Centre only; no axle lockers (US)
Wheelbase	112.2 in	112.2 in
Ground clearance	9.3 in	8.9 in (2016, Normal); AHC raises about 3 in
Approach / departure / breakover	30° / 30° / 24°	25° / 20° / 23° Normal · 27° / 23° / 27° High (2016)
Curb weight	5,724 lb (2016–18)	6,000 lb (2016)
Towing	7,000 lb	8,500 lb (launch); 7,000 lb (2016 on)
Fuel economy (EPA)	12 / 15 (2012); 13 / 14 (2016)	12 / 18 (2008); 13 / 18 (2016)
Biggest tire, no lift	275/70R18 (≈33 in)	≈33 in, with the front liner moved
Typical prices now	$45k–65k driver · $65k–97k excellent	$15k–31k (2008–11) · $32k–62k (2013–15) · $70k–83k low-mile 2016–21
Best years	No flagged year; buy on service history	2013 on; be careful with 2008–10 radiators

Off-road

Stock, the G 550 has more hardware. It has a ladder frame, link-located solid axles on coils at both ends, permanent four-wheel drive with a low range, and three 100% locks for the centre, rear and front diffs. Mercedes-Benz USA lists 9.3 in of ground clearance, 23.6 in of wading depth and 30°/30°/24° approach, departure and breakover angles.

The LX 570 is a 200 Series underneath: the same ladder frame, double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link solid rear axle. The Torsen centre diff can be locked, but US trucks have no factory axle lockers. Instead there's A-TRAC brake traction control, Crawl Control and, from 2013, Multi-Terrain Select and Turn Assist. Lexus's 2016 figures give 8.9 in of clearance and 25°/20°/23° at Normal height. On High, AHC improves that to 27°/23°/27°. Both trucks sit on the same 112.2-in wheelbase.

On-road and daily use

The LX is the better long-distance truck. It has independent front suspension, adaptive AVS dampers and, in 2016 form, seats for eight, a 6,000-lb curb weight and an eight-speed automatic. The G 550 uses a recirculating-ball steering box and a solid front axle, and its most common road complaint is highway wander or shake at 55–70 mph from a worn steering damper and tired linkage. The 2016–18 twin-turbo is quick, with Mercedes quoting 0–60 mph in 5.8 seconds.

Both are thirsty and both want premium fuel. The EPA rated a 2012 G 550 at 12 city and 15 highway, and every G 550 from 2010 to 2018 at 13 combined. The LX did 12/18 in 2008 and 13/18 with the 2016 eight-speed. Towing is 7,000 lb for the G 550. The LX was rated at 8,500 lb at launch, and the 2016-on owner's manual lists 7,000 lb with trailer brakes.

Reliability and what breaks

The G 550's list is long but well documented. On the 2009–15 M273 it's the map-controlled thermostat, swirl-flap failures (P2004–P2006), the crankcase breather and oil seeping into the cam-magnet connectors. Any year can have diff locks that won't engage (usually an actuation fault), leaking front axle seals, a worn steering damper, cracked coil springs, rust in the tailgate, sills and rear frame tubes, and leaking sunroof drains. US recalls include the 2013–16 steering coupling (17V250) and ESP with DISTRONIC PLUS on 2016–17 trucks (17V713).

The LX 570's 3UR-FE uses a timing chain, and its faults are mostly cooling and driveline. Early 2008–10 trucks crack the radiator's top tank, 2008s had water-pump problems, and any year can develop the valley coolant leak under the intake. Driveshafts clunk when the slip yokes go dry, and starters fail without warning. AHC is the big fear. A healthy system has proved durable, according to a long-time IH8MUD poster, but leaks at junctions and actuators are expensive. Recalls include airbag-related campaigns and, on 2014–15 and 2018–19 trucks, the low-pressure fuel pump.

Running costs, parts and modifying

The G needs a Mercedes STAR/XENTRY tool to re-code the tire size after fitting taller tires, or the speedometer and ESP get confused. The LX wants Techstream or similar to read AHC pressures. Wheels don't swap: the G uses 5 x 130, the LX 5 x 150. The LX shares most mechanical parts with the far more common 200, and specialist armor from Metal Tech 4x4 and Dissent Off-Road fits it. For the G, Eurowise sells lift kits.

Both take about 33-inch tires at stock height. On the G it's a 275/70R18 on 18-in wheels, though later calipers don't clear every 18. Eurowise says 33s fit on its 2.5-in lift and 35s on its 4-in kit. On the LX, even 33s meant moving the front fender liner forward about an inch, and one IH8MUD 35x12.5R20 build needed liner, sidestep and body-mount trimming plus spacers. It's easier than on a Land Cruiser, though, because the LX has no KDSS bar. Air lockers add front and rear locking to an LX without touching the AHC.

Buying one now

The LX is the cheaper way in. Bring a Trailer sales in 2026 put 2008–11 trucks at $15,000–31,000, 2013–15 at $32,000–62,000 and low-mile 2016–21 trucks at $70,000–83,000. G 550s from 2009–18 sold for $45,000–65,000 as drivers and $65,000–97,000 for the best, with a median of about $63,000. Twin-turbo trucks don't consistently beat good 2013–15 trucks.

Buy a G 550 on receipts: the M273 thermostat and swirl flaps, axle seals, the steering damper and working lockers, with all recalls closed by VIN. Then check the VIN to make sure an 'AMG' isn't a dressed-up G 550. Buy an LX on AHC health: cycle it through every height and look for leaks. On a 2008–10, check for radiator and water-pump work. If you want the G's solid axles and lockers in a cheaper Toyota, look at the 80 Series.

Questions, answered

Which is better off-road, the G 550 or the LX 570?

Stock, the G 550. It has solid axles front and rear and three factory 100% locks, plus more clearance (9.3 in against the LX's 8.9 in at Normal height) and better angles. The LX makes up some ground with Crawl Control, A-TRAC and AHC, which can raise it about 3 in, but it has no factory axle lockers in the US.

Does the LX 570 have lockers?

Only a lockable Torsen centre differential. US trucks have no factory front or rear lockers; owners who want them fit aftermarket units such as ARB Air Lockers. The G 550 has centre, rear and front locks from the factory.

Which is more reliable?

Both are tough, and both have known jobs. The G 550's are the M273's thermostat and swirl flaps (2009–15), axle seals, the steering damper, locker actuation and rust. The LX 570's are radiators on 2008–10 trucks, water pumps on 2008s, the valley coolant leak, starters and driveshaft grease, with AHC leaks as the expensive risk. A truck with records beats a low-mile one with none.

Which tows more?

On paper an early LX 570, rated at 8,500 lb at launch. The 2016-on LX owner's manual lists 7,000 lb with trailer brakes, the same as the G 550. The LX's hitch receiver is built into the frame.

Which is cheaper to buy used?

The LX, especially early trucks: 2008–11 LX 570s sold for $15,000–31,000 on Bring a Trailer in 2026. A driver-quality G 550 was about $45,000–65,000. Low-mile 2016–21 LXs and good G 550s overlap at roughly $70,000–83,000.

What's the biggest tire each will take without a lift?

About 33 in on both. The G takes a 275/70R18 at stock height without rubbing at full flex, according to one Expedition Portal owner, but you'll need to re-code the tire size. On the LX, 33s needed the front fender liner moved forward about an inch.

The full guides

Sources