Toyota Land Cruiser vs Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC adhered closely to the contemporary Mercedes design language, presenting a visually appealing option in the compact crossover segment. Its taut lines contributed to a muscular and elegant shape, flowing seamlessly from the signature Mercedes star pattern grille to the standard LED headlights. The GLC's taller, upright cabin and short overhangs suggested a multi-terrain capability, particularly in models without the AMG Line's painted wheel arch liners. The crisp headlights and detailed tail lights ensured the GLC's aesthetic would remain fresh for years. The optional 20-inch AMG five-spoke wheels further enhanced its athletic appearance. Inside, the GLC exuded luxury with beautifully designed, contrasting-leather-adorned interior door panels. The premium materials continued throughout the cabin, with the GLC 350e PHEV test unit featuring supple white leather seats with heating and ventilation options. The haptic steering wheel and climate controls, though made of piano black plastic, were complemented by faux carbon fibre on the centre console, satin-stitched leather on the dash and doors, and painted aluminum trim accents.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, offered in two trim levels, showcased a blend of retro and modern design elements. The base model, 1958, paid homage to its North American debut year with round headlights, cloth seats, and basic equipment. The Cruiser trim, however, presented a more upscale look with additional colour options, a refined interior, and essential off-roading hardware. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, featured Heritage Blue and Grey paint, 20-inch wheels, and a roof rack, bringing the MSRP to $90,603. The Land Cruiser's traditional two-box SUV design maximized off-road clearances and visibility, with dark grey cladding underscoring its utility. Inside, the Cruiser trim offered a more luxurious experience than the 1958, with Java-coloured leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens enhancing the cabin's technological appeal. The steering wheel controls were notably intuitive, especially compared to the Lexus RX.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC came standard with the 4Matic all-wheel drive system in Canada. The entry-level models featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLC 300 produced 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the 350e's output was slightly lower at 201 hp and 236 lb-ft. However, the 300's 48-volt mild-hybrid system added 23 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time. The 350e's hybrid system, with a 23.3-kilowatt-hour battery and electric motor, delivered a combined output of 313 hp and 406 lb-ft, though it had a slower 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time due to its additional weight. The GLC excelled in ride quality, steering, and handling, absorbing road imperfections well and maintaining composure on highways and winding roads. The braking performance was adequate, with regenerative braking enhancing its 87-kilometre electric range.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured the i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor. This setup produced 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with a full-time 4WD system and electronic locking differentials enabling a 2,720-kilogram towing capacity. The Cruiser trim added Multi-Terrain Select off-roading modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect feature. Despite an official fuel economy rating of 10.1 L/100 km, real-world testing yielded 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 suspension tuning. It handled urban and suburban driving well, with features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Monitor enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Land Cruiser felt powerful and responsive, though acceleration tests revealed modest results and noticeable ride motions.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered a commanding view of the road, with ample hip, shoulder, and legroom for front passengers, even for a six-foot three-inch driver. However, the rear seats were somewhat tight on leg and headroom. The GLC's boxy shape provided 470 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,530 litres with the rear seats folded down. Despite being lower than the GLC 300 by 150 litres, it remained practical for everyday use. The split rear seat dropped easily, allowing for the transport of larger items like an XL-sized road bike. The GLC's hybridization contributed to an average fuel economy of 9.6 litres per 100 kilometres over 440 kilometres of mixed driving conditions.

In the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, upgrading from the 1958 trim to the Cruiser trim replaced cloth upholstery with SofTex artificial leather, adding ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package introduced real leather and a power sunroof. While the front seats were comfortable, the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The rear window design was less practical compared to the 4Runner, and the centre console's cool box reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser offered 1,062 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,324 litres with the rear seats folded, though the high load floor required effort when loading heavy items.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the third-generation MBUX infotainment system, with haptic controls for steering wheel, climate, and infotainment functions. The 11.9-inch touchscreen required precise swipe intensity for optimal use, with occasional sluggishness causing confusion. Despite these challenges, wireless Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connected seamlessly, and the Burmester 3D surround sound system provided excellent audio quality. The ambient lighting customization added to the driving experience, especially during night drives.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim upgraded the digital driver display and infotainment system to dual 12.3-inch screens. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Four connected service plans were available, with Drive Connect offering cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, and digital key technology.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC came standard with advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring, active parking assistance, and automatic high beams. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, steering assist, lane-change assist, and more, all functioning smoothly and effectively.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist. While some ADAS features were occasionally problematic, others, like the front cross-traffic alert, proved invaluable. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.