Compare the2022 Toyota SequoiaVS 2021 Mercedes GLS

The Toyota Sequoia has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GLS doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Sequoia’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLS.

Both the Sequoia and the GLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, 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 GLS. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the GLS 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 GLS.

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.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sequoia’s reliability 73 points higher than the GLS.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sequoia third among large suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The GLS 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.

The Sequoia’s 5.7 DOHC V8 produces 19 more horsepower (381 vs. 362) and 32 lbs.-ft. more torque (401 vs. 369) than the GLS 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

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

The Sequoia has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLS (26.4 vs. 23.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Sequoia has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the GLS; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Sequoia is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than on the GLS.

For better maneuverability, the Sequoia’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the GLS’ (38.1 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The Sequoia’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Maybach GLS 600’s (38.1 feet vs. 41 feet).

The Sequoia has standard seating for 8 passengers; the GLS can only carry up to 7.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sequoia’s middle and third row seats recline. The GLS’ third row seats don’t recline.

The Sequoia’s cargo area provides more volume than the GLS.

The Sequoia’s cargo area is larger than the GLS’ in almost every dimension:

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

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 GLS has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature 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 GLS only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Sequoia has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The GLS doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Sequoia is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GLS 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 $7190 to $8890 less than the GLS over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Sequoia is less expensive to operate than the GLS because it costs $246 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Sequoia than the GLS, including $364 less for a water pump, $464 less for a muffler, $134 less for front brake pads, $273 less for fuel injection, $106 less for front struts and $1036 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Sequoia will be $26562 to $37664 less than for the Mercedes GLS.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Sequoia, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes GLS isn't recommended.