2024 Toyota Grand Highlander vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, offering a range of options from all-gas to hybrid-powered models. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with the regular Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. With a length of 5,115 millimetres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm, it was larger than competitors like the Kia Telluride, providing a spacious interior. Its design, inspired by rugged vehicles, featured a blockier style with a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights, reminiscent of the 4Runner. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with interior options ranging from black Softex synthetic leather to real leather in higher trims. It offered a comfortable and well-built interior, making it an excellent choice for road trips.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned in 2020 and facelifted in 2024, was not a mere replica of other Mercedes SUVs. It featured a more rounded profile, with squared-off wheel arches and a horizontal grille, giving it a wide stance. The GLE Coupe models had a fastback-style roofline, creating unique proportions. While not the most handsome in the lineup, it maintained the brand's signature style. The interior offered a range of colours beyond the usual black, grey, and tan, with features like chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles, and 64-colour ambient lighting, creating an upscale and special feel. The GLE's interior was designed to impress, with a focus on luxury and comfort.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options. The base model featured a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain combined a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with hybrid technology, generating 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. All models in Canada came with all-wheel drive. While not a sports car, the Hybrid Max provided impressive acceleration, with a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander excelled in road manners, though it felt larger and less nimble than its smaller counterpart. The brakes were solid, and the 2.4-litre turbocharged engine offered adequate power. Three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—were available, with additional off-road modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered five powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid and two AMG variants. The GLE 350 featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a mild hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The GLE 450 4Matic had a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The GLE 450e 4Matic combined a turbo-four with electric assist, offering 381 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, with an 80-kilometre electric range. The AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ produced 429 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds. The AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ featured a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, generating 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds. The GLE impressed with its refinement, though it felt larger than it was, even in AMG spec. Adaptive air suspension and an active anti-roll system couldn't make it nimble, making urban maneuvering challenging.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its primary rivals, measuring over 5 metres in length with a 2,950 mm wheelbase. This extra length translated to increased storage space, with a total cargo capacity of 2,761 litres, surpassing the Kia Telluride by over 300 litres. With seats in position, it offered 1,640 litres behind the second row and 583 litres with all three rows up. The Grand Highlander provided a comfortable and spacious interior, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in every row, accommodating even six-foot adults in the third row.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, though third-row space specs were not published. The GLE offered similar headroom to rivals but slightly less legroom compared to the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80. The high seating position provided an SUV-like feel, though outward visibility was limited. Second-row passengers enjoyed slightly more space than competitors, with additional legroom compared to the BMW X5, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and Lexus RX. The GLE offered 894 litres of cargo space behind the second row, competitive but not class-leading. With all seats folded, it provided 1,790 litres of cargo space. The GLE's centre console offered reasonable storage for small items. It had a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms, matching the Audi Q7 and surpassing some rivals.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous models. An intelligent assistant, activated by saying "Hey Toyota," was available via a connected-services subscription, handling tasks like temperature adjustment and radio changes. The subscription also included cloud-based navigation and 24/7 live agent assistance. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited and Platinum trims came with an 11-speaker JBL stereo, offering a balanced sound. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were available, with a three-month trial.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a pair of 12.3-inch screens, creating a continuous horizontal display. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation. Multiple access methods, including a centre console touchpad, steering wheel touchpads, and voice recognition, were available. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe offered additional settings, including six drive modes and adjustable damper firmness, stability control, and exhaust noise. Some models featured an off-road display and a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system, aiding in rough terrain navigation.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. However, it came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The updated lane-departure alert could identify three-dimensional objects, reducing false warnings. Traffic jam assist and a head-up display were exclusive to the Platinum grade. Adaptive cruise control was standard, offering four following-distance settings.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, though some were optional. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring with exit assist, crosswind assist, parking assist, a driver attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. The Pre-Safe system mitigated collision effects by tightening seatbelts, closing windows, and emitting a protective sound. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control with speed-limit and curve adaptation, stop-and-go functionality, lane-change assist, evasive steering assist, and cross-traffic function for automatic emergency braking. The IIHS named the GLE a 2025 Top Safety Pick+, though its front-crash prevention tech received "Marginal" and "Acceptable" ratings.