Shopping for a Lexus RX? Consider These 3 Alternatives

• What's new: The Lexus RX is one of the most popular luxury SUVs on the market.
• Why it matters: Lots of buyers automatically gravitate toward the RX, but there are some other fancy midsize SUVs to consider. 
• Edmunds says: We rank each of these models from Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Genesis higher than the Lexus RX.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

• Price range (with destination): $63,600-$91,350
• Edmunds Rating: 7.9 (out of 10)

Is the Lexus RX a comfortable SUV? Yes, but the Mercedes GLE is even better at coddling its passengers. Nice materials in the RX are topped by the almost extravagant finishes Mercedes offers. The Mercedes' cabin also wins in terms of cargo volume whether the rear seats are in use or folded.

The German also outdoes the Lexus in performance, with quicker acceleration and generally more responsive powertrains. Mercedes eclipses the RX with two gas-only models — a turbocharged four-cylinder and a twin-turbo V8 — as well as a plug-in hybrid to match Lexus' offering. Then there's the AMG GLE 53, with a 429-horsepower turbocharged inline-six, that doesn't go quite as mad as the AMG GLE 63 S (the one we're not talking about here). This milder AMG is a more convincing performance SUV than anything in the RX's F Sport lineup; those models are more show than go and ride harshly, which is antithetical to the Lexus ethos.

BMW X5

• Price range (with destination): $69,750-$95,050
• Edmunds Rating: 7.5 (out of 10)

Where the Mercedes leans slightly toward the comfort end of the handling and plushness continuum, BMW's X5 prioritizes athleticism a bit more, making it one of the most enjoyable vehicles in this segment to drive. This is not to say the X5 has an uncomfortable ride — far from it. BMW balances the two often competing goals deftly, helping its products live up to their famous "Ultimate Driving Machine" tagline.

Another arena where the X5 shines is its user interface. The Lexus and every vehicle on this list rely on screens for most tasks, but BMW's system manages to be more intuitive to learn and easier to use while you're underway. Even if you're focused more on how the vehicle drives, it's important for the settings you use most often to be accessible, so you spend less time taking your attention off the road. It helps that BMW's voice recognition system is also better than most, meaning you can keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes looking forward when you need to make an adjustment. Like the GLE, the X5 is available with more pedestrian and higher-performance gas engines as well as a six-cylinder plug-in hybrid.

Genesis GV80

• Price range (with destination): $59,195-$85,395
• Edmunds Rating: 7.1 (out of 10)

The only contender on this list that's not available with some sort of hybrid powertrain, the GV80 has a relatively simple lineup, offering a choice of four- or six-cylinder power, both turbocharged. Performance falls somewhere between the Germans and the Lexus, but the Genesis offers one of the creamiest rides in the segment. It's available with an electronically controlled suspension that uses a front-mounted camera to read the road ahead and adjust the dampers to better isolate the passengers from bumps and potholes. That system is standard with the more powerful engine and included on the top four-cylinder trim.

Then there's the stately presence of this big Genesis SUV. If it looks like anything, it's a Bentley, which helps the GV80 stand out from the crowd of RXes. (If you end up losing it among rows of Bentley Bentaygas, well, good for you.) While the GV80 costs more than the most basic RX, the entry model is more powerful and loaded with more standard features, including a hands-free power liftgate. So although you pay a bit more, you're also getting more for your money.