2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2023 Toyota Sequoia

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, with its bold design inspired by the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The SUV's newly creased and kinked body gave it a more substantial presence compared to its predecessor. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with upscale touches like leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the Capstone trim. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the interior was available in a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme. However, some interior materials reminded occupants of the Sequoia's pickup truck origins.

In contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS exuded a soft sensuality with its modern design, which aged gracefully. The GLS 450 test vehicle featured stunning 22-inch AMG rims, a new silver four-louver grille, and polished metal accents. Inside, the GLS 450 showcased a Bahia Brown over Black interior with natural-grain Grey Oak, polished aluminum accents, and rich detailing. The GLS offered a comfortable and luxurious environment, with the new steering wheel adding to the overall driving experience. The GLS 450 was the most affordable version, with options to upgrade to more powerful models like the GLS 580, AMG GLS 63, and Maybach GLS 600.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid powertrain that delivered 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the Sequoia to tow up to 4,137 kilograms, a significant improvement over the previous model. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency also improved, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. Despite its power, the Sequoia's ride quality was busy and occasionally jittery, especially in Normal mode. The regenerative braking system felt unresponsive, and the steering was slow, requiring effort in tight spaces.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The GLS 450 accelerated to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and had a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. The fuel economy was rated at 11.3 L/100 km in combined driving. The GLS 450 offered a sublime driving experience, with smooth acceleration and a well-calibrated powertrain. The adaptive air suspension provided excellent handling, and the brakes performed admirably. The GLS also featured an Off-Road menu within MBUX for enhanced off-road capability.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs provided comfort but lacked adjustability, impacting third-row space. The third-row seat was cramped, with limited thigh support and legroom. Cargo capacity was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with a maximum of 2,460 litres, significantly less than the previous model.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a luxurious interior with supple leather surfaces, massage programs, and a wide range of adjustments for the front seats. The GLS provided expansive second-row legroom and a standard panoramic sunroof. Accessing the third-row seat was challenging, but it offered decent leg support for children. Cargo space was practical, with a maximum of 2,400 litres behind the front seats. Interior storage was decent, though the front centre armrest bin was small.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands, though it occasionally misinterpreted requests. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively prevented accidents.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS was equipped with the latest MBUX infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system offered improved graphics and was easy to use, though touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel and centre console caused occasional frustration. The MBUX system excelled in natural voice recognition and augmented reality navigation, providing a seamless user experience.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The Sequoia also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. While crash test ratings were unavailable, the Sequoia's platform-mate, the Tundra, received high marks from the IIHS.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with over 20 significant systems. The ADAS could be adjusted through MBUX, allowing drivers to customize settings. The forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist systems were effective without being intrusive. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems operated smoothly, providing a stress-free driving experience.