Compare the2023 Mercedes GLSVS 2022 Toyota Sequoia

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLS have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Toyota Sequoia doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The GLS’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Sequoia doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The GLS offers an optional Post Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Sequoia doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Full-time four-wheel drive is standard on the GLS. Full-time four-wheel drive gives added traction for safety in all conditions, not just off-road, like the only system available on the Sequoia. Four-wheel drive of any type costs extra on the Sequoia.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the GLS’ standard Downhill Speed Regulation allows you to creep down safely. The Sequoia doesn’t offer Downhill Speed Regulation.

The GLS has a standard Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Sequoia only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the GLS uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Sequoia uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the GLS and the Sequoia have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 lane departure warning systems.

Warranty

The GLS comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Sequoia’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Engine

The GLS 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 102 more horsepower (483 vs. 381) and 115 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 401) than the Sequoia’s 5.7 DOHC V8. The Maybach GLS 600’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 169 more horsepower (550 vs. 381) and 137 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 401) than the Sequoia’s 5.7 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mercedes GLS is faster than the Toyota Sequoia:

	GLS 450	GLS 580	Sequoia
Zero to 60 MPH	5.5 sec	4.7 sec	6.7 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	14.4 sec	11.7 sec	18.2 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.2 sec	5.1 sec	6.9 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.4 sec	n/a	3.7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	13.3 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99 MPH	106 MPH	93 MPH
Top Speed	129 MPH	130 MPH	115 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GLS gets better mileage than the Sequoia:

			MPG
GLS
	AWD	580 4.0 turbo V8 Hybrid	16 city/21 hwy
		Maybach GLS 600 4.0 turbo V8 Hybrid	15 city/20 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	18 city/23 hwy
Sequoia
	RWD	5.7 DOHC V8	13 city/17 hwy
	AWD	5.7 DOHC V8	13 city/17 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the GLS’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Sequoia doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the GLS’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Sequoia doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sequoia.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Sequoia:

	GLS	Sequoia
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13.9 inches

The GLS stops much shorter than the Sequoia:

	GLS	Sequoia
70 to 0 MPH	154 feet	192 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	139 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	143 feet	163 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sequoia (F:285/40R23 & R:325/35R23 vs. 275/65R18).

The GLS 450’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sequoia SR5’s standard 65 series tires. The GLS’ optional 285/40R23 front and 325/35R23 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Sequoia TRD Sport/Limited/Nightshade’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLS 450 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Sequoia SR5. The GLS’ optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Sequoia TRD Sport/Limited/Nightshade.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the GLS uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Sequoia, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The GLS offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Toyota doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Sequoia.

The GLS has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Sequoia’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GLS’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Sequoia doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLS’ wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the Sequoia (123.4 inches vs. 122 inches).

The GLS 450 handles at .92 G’s, while the Sequoia 4x4 pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GLS 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.4 seconds quicker than the Sequoia Limited 4x4 (26.4 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 29.8 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GLS has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Sequoia (10.1 vs. 10 inches), allowing the GLS to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLS Off-Road Package’s minimum ground clearance is 1.3 inches higher than on the Sequoia (11.3 vs. 10 inches).

Chassis

The Mercedes GLS may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Toyota Sequoia.

Unibody construction lowers the GLS’ center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Sequoia uses body-on-frame design instead.

Passenger Space

The GLS has 4.6 inches more front headroom, 5.3 inches more rear headroom, 1 inch more rear legroom and 4.4 inches more third row headroom than the Sequoia.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the GLS easier. The GLS’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 31.8 inches, while the Sequoia’s liftover is 33 inches.

The GLS has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Sequoia doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the GLS’ second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Sequoia doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the GLS’ liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Sequoia doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The GLS’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the Sequoia’s (7700 vs. 7100 pounds).

Ergonomics

The engine computer on the GLS automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The Sequoia’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Sequoia, the GLS has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, suspension setting, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLS offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Sequoia doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GLS’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Sequoia’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the GLS and the Sequoia have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GLS is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Sequoia prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the GLS the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Sequoia can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

The GLS’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Sequoia’s power window (except driver window), power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The GLS has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Sequoia doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The GLS’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Sequoia’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLS to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Sequoia doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the GLS has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Sequoia doesn’t offer cornering lights. The GLS also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The GLS’ power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Sequoia’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

When the GLS is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Sequoia’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The GLS has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Toyota doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Sequoia.

The GLS has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Sequoia doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the GLS’ optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Sequoia doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The GLS offers an optional center folding armrest for the third row rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and can provide a barrier between children. The Sequoia doesn’t offer a third row rear seat center armrest.

The GLS offers optional massaging front and second row seats, which keep the driver and middle row passengers. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Sequoia.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLS has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console and for the rear passengers. The Sequoia doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The GLS’ Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Sequoia doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLS is less expensive to operate than the Sequoia because typical repairs cost much less on the GLS than the Sequoia, including $252 less for a starter, $132 less for a fuel pump and $980 less for a timing belt/chain.