Compare the2022 Toyota SequoiaVS 2021 Mercedes G-Class

Both the Sequoia and the G-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available four-wheel drive.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Sequoia 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the G-Class. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the G-Class ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Sequoia for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the G-Class.

There are over 3 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sequoia’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sequoia third among large suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The G-Class isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 19th in initial quality. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 30th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Mercedes is ranked 20th.

On the EPA test cycle the Sequoia gets better mileage than the G-Class:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Sequoia uses regular unleaded gasoline. The G-Class requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Sequoia higher (5 out of 10) than the Mercedes G-Class (3). This means the Sequoia produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the G-Class every 15,000 miles.

The Sequoia stops much shorter than the G-Class:

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Sequoia has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mercedes G-Class has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Sequoia offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The G-Class doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sequoia’s wheelbase is 8.2 inches longer than on the G-Class (122 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Sequoia is 3.1 inches wider in the front and 4.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the G-Class.

The Sequoia TRD Sport 4x4 handles at .78 G’s, while the G 550 pulls only .61 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Sequoia TRD Sport 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.4 seconds quicker than the G 550 (27.3 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 30.7 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Sequoia’s turning circle is 6.5 feet tighter than the G-Class’ (38.1 feet vs. 44.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Sequoia has a greater minimum ground clearance than the G-Class (10 vs. 9.5 inches), allowing the Sequoia to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The design of the Toyota Sequoia amounts to more than styling. The Sequoia has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .36 Cd. That is significantly lower than the G-Class (.55). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Sequoia get better fuel mileage.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Sequoia has standard flush composite headlights. The G-Class has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Sequoia has standard seating for 8 passengers; the G-Class can only carry 5.

The Sequoia has 3.8 inches more front legroom, 8.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear legroom and 8.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the G-Class.

The Sequoia’s cargo area provides more volume than the G-Class.

The Sequoia’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The G-Class’ swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

The Sequoia’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The G-Class’ rear cargo window doesn’t open.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Sequoia Limited/Nightshade has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The G-Class doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

The Sequoia’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the G-Class’ (7100 vs. 7000 pounds).

The Sequoia’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The G-Class does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Sequoia has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the G-Class only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Sequoia has standard extendable sun visors. The G-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Sequoia to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The G-Class doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Sequoia is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The G-Class doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Sequoia owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Sequoia will cost $9095 to $11445 less than the G-Class over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Sequoia will be $72537 to $83841 less than for the Mercedes G-Class.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Sequoia, based on reliability, safety and performance.