2025 Toyota 4Runner vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner, in its sixth generation, maintained a design evolution rather than a complete overhaul. It retained the horseshoe-shaped grilles from the previous generation, now with a more robust and industrial look. The side body panels featured deep beveled creases that seamlessly integrated with the flared wheel arches, giving the 4Runner a broad-shouldered stance suitable for an off-road SUV. Paying homage to its predecessors, the 4Runner included design elements like the slanted rearmost window, while the sliding rear window facilitated easier cargo access. Inside, the 4Runner mirrored the Tacoma pickup truck, with a beveled styling motif throughout the cabin. The interior was functional yet comfortable, with hard plastics for durability and light cushioning for comfort. The materials were of higher quality than those in a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, though not as refined as a Land Rover Defender.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned in 2020 and facelifted in 2024, was not a mere replica of other Mercedes SUVs. It shared some visual bulk with the GLS, GLC, and GLB but had a more rounded profile reminiscent of its M-Class predecessor. The GLE's design 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 in the GLE Coupe models. Despite its unconventional look, the GLE's styling adhered to Mercedes' brand identity. Inside, the GLE offered a variety of interior colours, with features like chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles, and 64-colour ambient lighting, creating an upscale and special atmosphere.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner offered two engine choices. The base model came with a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 317 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup promised better acceleration and fuel economy than the previous five-speed unit. In Canada, part-time 4WD was standard, with full-time 4WD available in the Limited and Platinum packages. Toyota introduced a more powerful Hybrid i-Force Max powertrain, combining the four-cylinder engine with a 1.87-kWh battery pack and an electric motor, delivering 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. This hybrid variant offered stronger power at lower speeds, ideal for off-roading. The 4Runner's new generation was quieter and more composed on pavement, with improved handling and reduced body roll. It retained its off-road prowess, with eight distinct packages offering varying levels of off-road capabilities. The TRD Pro and Trailhunter models were the most capable, with approach angles ranging from 18 to 33 degrees, departure angles from 22 to 24 degrees, and ground clearance between 20.5 and 25.6 centimetres.

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, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLE 450 4Matic had a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine with a mild hybrid system, delivering 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, with an 80-kilometre electric range. The AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ used an uprated inline-six powertrain, producing 429 hp and 413 lb-ft 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 hp and 627 lb-ft, with a 0-100 km/h time of 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 2025 Toyota 4Runner was nearly 13 centimetres longer than its predecessor, with a 6-centimetre increase between the axles. This longer wheelbase offered minimal passenger space gains. The front seats accommodated taller passengers, but the middle row was less spacious, with adequate legroom and headroom for average-sized adults. A third row was available on non-hybrid models, but it was cramped, with cushions mounted to the floor, making it uncomfortable for even small children. The cockpit was well-organized, with oversized climate control knobs and grouped off-road controls for easy operation. The 4Runner offered ample storage, with door pockets, a dashboard tray, cupholders, and a centre armrest bin. Cargo capacity was 1,371 litres behind the second row, reduced to 1,206 litres in the Hybrid due to the raised floor. A sturdy roof rack supported a static load of 360 kilograms.

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 had 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 more space than in most competitors, with slightly more headroom and 7.5 centimetres of 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 less than the GV80 or MDX. With all seats folded, it provided 1,790 litres of cargo space. The centre console offered reasonable storage for phones and drinks. The GLE's towing capacity was 3,500 kilograms, matching the Audi Q7 and surpassing some competitors.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, with an optional 14-inch touchscreen. Both were user-friendly, with logical menus and quick responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, along with a charging pad. Hybrid variants had a digital instrument panel, available in most extra-cost packages on gas models. Off-road-focused models offered external camera views for precise tire placement on trails, with automatic activation when the vehicle slowed. A 14-speaker JBL premium audio system was available, along with a portable centre speaker that doubled as a Bluetooth speaker. Remote monitoring and control were possible through a smartphone app, and a digital key function allowed phone-based key fob replacement.

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 screen. 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 the central touchscreen, could be confusing, but the voice recognition system was effective. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe test car 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 steering angle, tilt angle, and grade percentage, along with a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner's crash test results were not available from the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. However, the Tacoma pickup truck, on which the 4Runner is based, was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. All 4Runner models came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a traffic sign reader, and automatic high beams. The Proactive Driving Assist feature automatically slowed the vehicle on curves, but it could be disabled if intrusive. In Canada, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert was standard.

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 automatically tightened seatbelts, closed windows and sunroof, and emitted a sound to protect against hearing loss in a collision. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, automatic speed-limit and curve adaptation, stop-and-go functionality, lane-change assist, evasive steering assist, and an expanded driver-monitoring system. The GLE received a 2025 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though its front-crash prevention tech had "Marginal" and "Acceptable" ratings.