Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, known for its iconic boxy design, was a blend of ruggedness and luxury. Its straight-edged, two-box design was a nod to its military origins, yet it had become a status symbol among the elite. The G-Class offered a retro exterior that stood out in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, with a hand-built construction in Graz, Austria. Inside, the G-Class featured a sophisticated design with a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment screen and a matching virtual instrument panel, allowing for a customizable and immersive driving experience. Despite its luxurious appeal, the G-Class remained a capable off-road machine, often seen in bold custom colors and adorned with extravagant features.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander presented a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design, with flared fender arches and a distinctive third-row window. Despite its spacious interior, the Highlander appeared compact from the outside. Inside, it offered ample cabin space with clever storage solutions for family essentials. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, unique exterior styling, and sport-tuned suspension. The Highlander was available in multiple trims, each offering a range of features from basic to luxurious, ensuring a comfortable and tech-savvy ride for families and individuals alike.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was a powerhouse, with the G550 model featuring a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine producing 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive, allowed the G550 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. The G-Class boasted a robust suspension system, with a double-wishbone independent front suspension and a rigid rear axle, providing a smooth ride on various terrains. The G550's off-road capabilities were impressive, with adjustable suspension and three locking differentials available as options. For those seeking more power, the AMG G63 variant offered 577 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. However, the G-Class's fuel economy was less impressive, with ratings of 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway for the G550.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. The Highlander's performance was smooth, with a drive-mode button allowing for Sport, Normal, and Eco modes, and an AWD system with Mud/Sand, Rock, and Normal modes. While the V6 engine provided adequate power, it excelled more at highway speeds than off the line. The Highlander's handling was commendable, especially in the XSE trim with its sport-tuned suspension, offering a comfortable ride with reduced body roll. The Highlander could tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it a practical choice for families needing to haul additional gear.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class offered a luxurious yet practical interior, with 38.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 68.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. The G550 had a payload capacity of over 1,000 pounds and could tow up to 7,700 pounds. The cabin was spacious, with ample headroom and comfortable seating for both front and rear passengers. However, some luxury features, like ventilated front seats, were only available as part of expensive packages. The G-Class's exterior design included a spare tire mounted on the tailgate, adding to its rugged appeal.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander provided up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, and 16 cubic feet with all seats in use. The Highlander's interior was designed for practicality, with easy-to-use quick-release latches for folding seats and a power liftgate available on higher trims. The cabin featured numerous storage compartments, including deep door pockets and a spacious center console. The XSE trim offered second-row captain's chairs, providing easy access to the third row, though the third row was best suited for short trips due to limited space.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was equipped with advanced technology, featuring twin 12.3-inch HD screens for the instrument panel and infotainment system. These screens were customizable, allowing drivers to tailor the display to their preferences. The G-Class included a Burmester Surround Sound system, WiFi, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, wireless device charging was not available. The COMAND system, with its unique Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel, offered intuitive control over the vehicle's features.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with a WiFi hotspot, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with hard buttons complementing the touchscreen interface. Higher trims offered a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system. The XSE trim included a wireless charging pad and additional USB ports, enhancing connectivity and convenience for passengers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class featured a range of safety systems, including a rearview camera, Pre-Safe, traffic-sign assist, attention assist, and active brake assist. The G-Class's size and body-on-frame construction provided inherent safety advantages, though its weight required careful handling. The active lane-keeping assist system was noted for its abrupt interventions, which could be distracting for some drivers. The G-Class had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA for crash-worthiness.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense, offering forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and additional safety features like parking sensors and a surround-view monitor. The lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist systems were active, sometimes overly so, requiring drivers to adapt to their sensitivity.