2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, known for its iconic design, retained its boxy shape and flat roof, reminiscent of its predecessors. It was available in two trims and two packages in Canada, each featuring elements that paid homage to earlier models. The heritage grille with "TOYOTA" spelled out was a nod to the 40 series, while the round headlights on the First Edition echoed the 20 series. Other versions had rectangular headlights reminiscent of the FJ62. All lighting was LED, blending classic inspiration with modern standards. Higher trims boasted colour-selectable fog lights from RIGID Industries, adding a contemporary touch. The beltline was lowered for better visibility, and all models came with 18-inch alloy wheels, with 20-inch options available in the Premium Package. The First Edition included off-road gear like a roof rack and skid plate. Inside, the base trim featured cloth seats, while others had SofTex or real leather with unique logos. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with additional features like a moonroof and ventilated seats in higher trims. The cabin was comfortable, with cushy seats and attractive stitching, allowing drivers to focus on the terrain without discomfort.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned in 2020 and facelifted in 2024, stood out with its unique design among Mercedes SUVs. It shared some visual bulk with the GLS, GLC, and GLB but had a more rounded profile, nodding to previous generations and its M-Class predecessor. The GLE featured squared-off wheel arches and a horizontal grille and headlights, giving it a wide stance. However, the side glass tapered sharply inward, creating odd proportions, especially on the GLE Coupe models. Despite its unconventional look, the GLE's styling adhered to Mercedes' brand identity, ensuring it was unmistakably a Benz. Inside, the GLE offered a variety of interior colours, with our U.S. test car featuring a Yacht Blue interior. The cabin felt upscale, with chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles for the optional Burmester audio system, and 64-colour ambient lighting that transformed the space at night.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with a hybrid powertrain, featuring a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 1.87-kWh battery pack and a 48-hp electric motor. This combination produced a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It had an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time four-wheel drive, with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case for high and low range. The Multi-Terrain Select system, available on all but the base models, operated in both 4Hi and 4Lo. The Land Cruiser also featured an automatic limited-slip differential, rear- and centre-locking differentials, and a push-button disconnect for the front sway bar. The CRAWL control function, with five speed settings, managed braking and acceleration over challenging terrain, operating silently. The transmission was unobtrusive, allowing for a smooth off-road experience.

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 lb-ft of torque. The GLE 450 4Matic had a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The GLE 450e 4Matic combined a turbo-four with electric assist for 381 hp and 479 lb-ft, plus 80 km of electric range. The AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ used an uprated inline-six for 429 hp and 413 lb-ft, achieving 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds. The AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ featured a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft, reaching 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. The GLE's refinement impressed, but it felt larger than it was, even with AMG chassis upgrades. Maneuvering in tight spaces was challenging, despite features like adaptive air suspension and an active anti-roll system.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured two rows of seating, with no third row available in North America. Front headroom measured 917 mm, and rear headroom was 897 mm, while legroom was 838 mm in the front and 678 mm in the rear. The centre console provided easy access to off-road features, with buttons for the stabilizer-bar disconnect and lockers conveniently placed. Climate and media controls were easily reachable, and the wireless charging pad was located ahead of the cupholders. The Premium Package included a centre console cool box. The rear liftgate opened to a cargo area with a raised load floor, equipped with a rubber mat for easy cleaning. Cargo volume was 1,063 litres, with a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports in higher trims.

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 than the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80. The high seating position provided an SUV-like feel, but visibility was limited. The AMG test car's heavily bolstered front seats made entry and exit challenging. Second-row passengers enjoyed slightly more space than in most competitors, with more legroom than the BMW X5, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and Lexus RX. Cargo space behind the second row was 894 litres, competitive but less than the GV80 or MDX. With all seats folded, the GLE offered 1,790 litres of cargo space. The centre console provided room for small items, and the GLE had a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kg.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured the Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) system, standard above the base trim, which was useful on the off-road course. The 12.3-inch centre touchscreen displayed the MTM automatically when slowing down to 15 km/h or could be activated manually. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with two USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. The base infotainment system had an 8-inch display and six speakers, while upgraded trims offered a 10-speaker system or a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. The Premium Package and First Edition included a head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a pair of 12.3-inch screens, one for the digital instrument cluster and the other for infotainment, 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 had additional settings, including six drive modes and adjustable damper firmness, stability control, and exhaust noise. Some GLE models offered an off-road display with a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system, aiding in rough terrain navigation.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2024 Tundra, a platform-mate, earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. All Land Cruisers came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. The Premium Package and First Edition added lane-change assist, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered numerous driver-assist features, though some were optional. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, crosswind assist, parking assist, a driver attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. The Pre-Safe system mitigated collision effects by tightening seatbelts and closing windows. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and an expanded driver-monitoring system. The IIHS named the GLE a 2025 Top Safety Pick+, though its front-crash prevention tech received "Marginal" and "Acceptable" ratings.