Compare the2025 Mercedes GLEVS 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

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 Grand Highlander doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the GLE are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Grand Highlander doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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 seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Grand Highlander 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 Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum offers Parking Support Brake.

Both the GLE and the Grand Highlander 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.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Mercedes GLE is safer than the Grand Highlander:

	GLE	Grand Highlander
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	0 cm	5 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	1.9/1.3 kN	3.5/1.3 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Tibia index R/L	.42/.42	.69/.57

The Mercedes GLE (with optional crash prevention) 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 Grand Highlander is not even 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 Grand Highlander’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Engine

The GLE has more powerful engines than the Grand Highlander:

	Horsepower	Torque
GLE 350 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	255 HP	295 lbs.-ft.
GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	375 HP	369 lbs.-ft.
GLE 450e 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	381 HP	479 lbs.-ft.
GLE 580 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid	510 HP	538 lbs.-ft.
Grand Highlander Hybrid 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	245 HP
Grand Highlander 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	265 HP	310 lbs.-ft.
Grand Highlander Hybrid Max 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	362 HP	400 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the GLE 350 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Toyota Grand Highlander turbo 4 cyl.:

	GLE	Grand Highlander
Zero to 60 MPH	7.6 sec	8.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	16.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87.5 MPH	86.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GLE running on electricity gets better mileage than the Grand Highlander:

			MPGe
GLE
	AWD	450e Electric Motor	57 city/63 hwy
Grand Highlander
			MPG
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	37 city/34 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	36 city/32 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	26 city/27 hwy
		XLE 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy
		Limited/Platinum 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the GLE 450e running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder 8-speed Auto AWD (21 city/26 hwy vs. 20 city/26 hwy).

The GLE 450e can travel with zero emissions for 50 miles. The Grand Highlander can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the GLE’s 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 Grand Highlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The GLE’s standard fuel tank has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Grand Highlander’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 17.8 gallons).

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLE, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Grand Highlander.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLE’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Grand Highlander:

	GLE	Grand Highlander
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13.3 inches

The GLE’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Grand Highlander are solid, not vented.

The GLE stops much shorter than the Grand Highlander:

	GLE	Grand Highlander
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	187 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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

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 Grand Highlander XLE’s 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 Grand Highlander 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 Grand Highlander XLE. The GLE 580’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Grand Highlander 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 Grand Highlander doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The GLE 450/580 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 Grand Highlander.

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 Grand Highlander’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 Grand Highlander 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 Grand Highlander 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 Grand Highlander doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE’s wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the Grand Highlander (117.9 inches vs. 116.1 inches).

The GLE 450 handles at .84 G’s, while the Grand Highlander Platinum AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GLE 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the Grand Highlander XLE AWD (27 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

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

Chassis

The GLE is 7.1 inches shorter than the Grand Highlander, making the GLE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the GLE 450 is quieter than the Grand Highlander Platinum AWD (70 vs. 73 dB).

Cargo Capacity

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume than the Grand Highlander with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 20.6 cubic feet).

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the GLE’s optional second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Grand Highlander doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Grand Highlander’s (7700 vs. 5000 pounds).

While the Grand Highlander Hybrid can only tow 3500, any GLE can tow a minimum of 7700 pounds.

Servicing Ease

The GLE uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Grand Highlander 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 Grand Highlander. 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 Grand Highlander 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, outside mirror angle and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLE’s standard easy entry and exit feature raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Grand Highlander 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 Grand Highlander does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 Grand Highlander’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The GLE’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Grand Highlander’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

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 Grand Highlander 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 Grand Highlander has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Mercedes GLE has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum.

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 Grand Highlander.

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

Recommendations

The Mercedes GLE outsold the Toyota Grand Highlander by 20% during 2023.

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