2025 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was available in two trim levels, with the base model named the 1958, a nod to its North American debut year. This version featured a retro aesthetic with round headlights and basic equipment, priced at $73,270. The Cruiser trim, however, offered a more modern and upscale appearance, priced at $82,030. It included additional off-roading hardware and software, and the Premium Package added leather and more tech, bringing the price to $90,603. The Land Cruiser's design emphasized off-road capability with a traditional two-box SUV design, maximizing clearances and visibility. The interior was utilitarian yet comfortable, with Java-coloured leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens enhancing its appeal.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE was available in nine versions in Canada, ranging from $85,400 to $172,400. Our focus was on the GLE 450, featuring a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology. The GLE 450 came with the Exclusive Trim Package, offering features like exclusive paint, 21-inch wheels, and a panoramic sunroof. Despite its luxury status, the GLE's exterior design was criticized for its egg-like styling, though the interior was praised for its elegance and quality materials. The cabin featured matte-finish wood, ambient lighting, and sophisticated digital displays, making it a luxurious choice for buyers.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. It featured a full-time 4WD system with electronic locking differentials and had a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. Off-road capabilities were enhanced with features like Downhill Assist Control, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select modes. However, the Land Cruiser's handling on twisty roads was less impressive due to its suspension tuning. Fuel efficiency was rated at 10.1 L/100 km, but real-world testing showed 15.0 L/100 km.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450, with its turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine and mild-hybrid system, generated 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It offered a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms, making it competitive with midsize pickup trucks. The GLE 450 featured various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, and Sport. However, the standard suspension allowed too much body motion, affecting its performance in city and mountain driving. The GLE's brakes were effective in spirited driving but felt grabby in typical situations. Fuel economy was rated at 11.2 L/100 km, matching real-world testing results.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior featured SofTex artificial leather in the Cruiser trim, with ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. While the front seats were comfortable, the second-row seats lacked support. The Land Cruiser offered 1,062 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,324 litres with the rear seats folded. However, the high load floor made loading heavy items challenging.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE's front seats were firm yet comfortable, with features like "energizing seat kinetics" and ventilated cushions. The back seat was roomy but positioned low relative to the windowsills. A third-row seat was available as an option. The GLE offered 943 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,120 litres with the rear seats folded. The cargo area included thoughtful storage solutions and a large spare tire under the load floor.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim featured dual 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system and a head-up display. The Drive Connect system provided cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant, enhancing the infotainment experience.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the MBUX infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch displays. The Exclusive Package added a Burmester surround-sound audio system and augmented-reality navigation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with SiriusXM satellite radio and Mercedes Digital Extras. The GLE's voice assistant performed well, though it struggled with certain requests.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE's standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. The Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The GLE's Active Emergency Stop Assist was a notable feature. The GLE was named a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS, but the NHTSA had not rated it at the time of writing.