2025 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was available in two trim levels, the 1958 and the Cruiser. The 1958 trim, named after the year the model first appeared in North America, featured a retro design with round headlights and basic equipment, priced at $73,270. The Cruiser trim, priced at $82,030, offered a more modern and upscale appearance, with additional off-roading capabilities and a Premium Package option that included leather and advanced technology. The Cruiser trim test vehicle, with the Premium Package, was painted in Heritage Blue and Grey, had 20-inch wheels, and an accessory roof rack, bringing the MSRP to $90,603. The Land Cruiser's design emphasized off-road capabilities, with a traditional two-box SUV shape and dark grey cladding for utility. Inside, the Cruiser trim offered a more refined interior than the 1958, with Java-coloured leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens, providing a technologically advanced feel. The steering wheel controls were notably intuitive compared to those in a Lexus RX.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS lineup included the GLS 450, GLS 580, AMG GLS 63, and Maybach GLS 600, with prices ranging from $125,395 to $247,795 in Canada. The GLS 450 test vehicle featured 21-inch AMG wheels, the AMG Line Exterior Package, premium leather upholstery, and a black headliner. The AMG styling details gave the GLS a sporty look, resolving the awkward fake front skid plate standard on the GLS 450. The interior, similar to the smaller GLE, boasted high-quality materials and detailing, though body creaks were noted on chilly mornings. The GLS 450 came with standard leather upholstery, with Nappa leather available, and offered various interior trim options. Standard features included ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof. The control layout, with seat adjusters on the doors and a gear-selector stalk on the steering column, required acclimation. The dual 12.3-inch displays were well-integrated into the dashboard, offering a cohesive look.

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 and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with a full-time 4WD system featuring electronic locking rear and centre differentials. The Land Cruiser had a maximum towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms and included standard features like Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control. The Cruiser trim added Multi-Terrain Select off-roading modes, Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views, and a front stabilizer bar disconnect feature. Despite an official fuel economy rating of 10.1 L/100 km, real-world testing showed a less efficient 15.0 L/100 km. The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer, though it struggled on twisty roads due to its tires and suspension tuning. It offered a high driving position with excellent visibility, making it easy to park and maneuver on trails. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like the front stabilizer bar disconnect and Crawl Control.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid assist, producing 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD, it accelerated from 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The GLS 450 offered acceptable fuel economy, rated at 11.3 L/100 km combined, though real-world testing showed 12.1 L/100 km. The Dynamic Select system provided various driving modes, including Comfort, Eco, Sport, Off-Road, and Individual. The GLS had a standard Airmatic adaptive suspension and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. Compared to the GLE 450, the GLS offered improved ride and handling with Airmatic suspension. The GLS 450's powertrain occasionally exhibited delays in responsiveness, but Sport mode mitigated these issues. The GLS provided a tailored driving experience, with a quiet cabin, composed ride, and solid dynamics, making it easier to manage in urban and suburban settings.

Upgrading from the Land Cruiser 1958 to the Cruiser trim replaced cloth upholstery with SofTex artificial leather, adding ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package included real leather and a standard-size power sunroof. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, but the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The Land Cruiser's running boards could be cumbersome for taller passengers. The rear window design was less practical than the 4Runner's, and the centre console's cool box reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser offered 1,062 litres of cargo space, with a high load floor requiring effort to load heavy items. Maximum cargo space with the back seat folded was 2,324 litres.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered standard seven-passenger seating, with a six-passenger configuration featuring second-row captain’s chairs as an option. The GLS provided exceptional comfort, accommodating up to seven adults. Standard features included a four-zone climate control system, heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, and heated outboard second-row seats. Comfort upgrades included ventilated and massaging second-row seats, a rapid heating system, and a five-zone climate control system. The six-passenger configuration featured power-operated and heated second-row captain’s chairs. The third-row seat offered good thigh support, though legroom was snug. Storage space was limited, with a small centre armrest bin and shallow door pockets. The GLS provided 355 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,209-1,379 litres with the third row folded. Maximum cargo capacity was 2,400 litres, less than some competitors.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim upgraded the 7-inch digital driver display and 8-inch touchscreen to dual 12.3-inch displays. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Four connected service plans were available, including Service Connect, Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Drive Connect. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, a head-up display, a digital camera-based rearview mirror, and digital key technology.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS featured dual 12.3-inch displays with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a navigation system with augmented reality, and a one-year subscription to Mercedes-Benz Digital Extras. The GLS came with a standard Burmester surround-sound system, with an optional high-end Burmester 3D audio system. Additional options included a head-up display, a rear infotainment tablet, and dual rear infotainment screens. MBUX was user-friendly, with configurable digital driver displays and a responsive touchscreen.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcyclist detection. It also offered lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving. Additional safety features included a road sign reader, automatic high-beam headlights, and Proactive Driving Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal-impact tests, five stars in side-impact tests, and a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS included nearly 40 safety and driver assistance systems, such as Pre-Safe and Crosswind Assist technologies. It featured a Car-to-X Communication system for future road hazard warnings. Parking assistance included front and rear sensors and a surround-view camera system. The GLS offered a hands-on driver assistance system with a touch-sensing steering wheel, though it struggled on curvy roads. The system required active driver participation, and the GLS braked harder than necessary in some situations.