Compare the2024 Mercedes GLEVS 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GLE. But it costs extra on the Highlander Hybrid.

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

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The GLE has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seemlesly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from other vehicles.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GLE has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Active Brake Assist, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum offers Parking Support Brake.

Both the GLE and the Highlander Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes GLE is safer than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

	GLE	Highlander Hybrid
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	84	292
Neck Injury Risk	24%	38.2%
Neck Stress	208 lbs.	347 lbs.
Neck Compression	17 lbs.	55 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	301/184 lbs.	321/243 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	209	328
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	179 lbs.
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	90 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	401/438 lbs.	545/323 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the GLE is much safer than the Highlander Hybrid:

	GLE	Highlander Hybrid
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	MARGINAL

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mercedes GLE is safer than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

	GLE	Highlander Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	40	55
Hip Force	287 lbs.	300 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	114
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	15 inches
HIC	264	366
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	615 lbs.	664 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Mercedes GLE (only applies to vehicles with optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Highlander Hybrid is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

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

Engine

The GLE 350’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 12 more horsepower (255 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The GLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 119 more horsepower (362 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The GLE 450e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 138 more horsepower (381 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The GLE 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 267 more horsepower (510 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes GLE is faster than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

	GLE 350	GLE 450	Highlander Hybrid
Zero to 60 MPH	7.6 sec	5.6 sec	8.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	14.2 sec	16.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87.5 MPH	97.4 MPH	85.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The GLE 450e can travel with zero emissions for 48 miles. The Highlander Hybrid can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Both the GLE and Highlander Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The GLE has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The GLE’s standard fuel tank has 5.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Highlander Hybrid (22.5 vs. 17.1 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLE 450e’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Highlander Hybrid:

	GLE 450e	Highlander Hybrid
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13.3 inches

The GLE stops shorter than the Highlander Hybrid:

	GLE	Highlander Hybrid
60 to 0 MPH	132 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	153 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLE has larger standard tires than the Highlander Hybrid (255/50R19 vs. 235/65R18). The GLE 580’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Highlander Hybrid (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. 235/65R18).

The GLE’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 Highlander Hybrid LE/XLE’s standard 65 series tires. The GLE 580’s optional 285/40R22 front and 325/35R22 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLE has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Highlander Hybrid LE/XLE. The GLE 580’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the GLE can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The GLE 450 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 Highlander Hybrid.

The GLE offers an available 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 Highlander Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GLE has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLE’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The GLE has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The GLE’s 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 Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the Highlander Hybrid (117.9 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The GLE 450 handles at .83 G’s, while the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GLE 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD (27 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GLE Airmatic has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Highlander Hybrid (9.2 vs. 8 inches), allowing the GLE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The GLE has .3 inches more front shoulder room and 2.2 inches more rear legroom than the Highlander Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume than the Highlander Hybrid with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 16 cubic feet).

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the GLE’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Highlander Hybrid’s (7700 vs. 3500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The GLE uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Highlander Hybrid uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the GLE is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Highlander Hybrid. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum, the GLE has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLE’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The GLE’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 Highlander Hybrid does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The GLE’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key System standard on the Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The GLE’s 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 Highlander Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the GLE to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the GLE has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The GLE’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Highlander Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The GLE offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Highlander Hybrid.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Highlander Hybrid XLE/Limited/Platinum offers wireless charging.

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