Compare the2025 Mercedes GLE CoupeVS 2025 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

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/12/22

The GLE Coupe’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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the GLE Coupe’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 Coupe has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly 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 Coupe 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 Coupe 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, all wheel drive, 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 Mercedes GLE Coupe weighs 520 to 600 pounds more than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The GLE Coupe 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 450 4MATIC Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 132 more horsepower (375 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the GLE Coupe 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 Coupe 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 Coupe has 5.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Highlander Hybrid (22.5 vs. 17.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	GLE Coupe	Highlander Hybrid
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13.3 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLE Coupe has larger standard tires than the Highlander Hybrid (275/50R20 vs. 235/65R18). The GLE Coupe’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 Coupe’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 XLE’s standard 65 series tires. The GLE Coupe’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 Coupe has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Highlander Hybrid XLE. The GLE Coupe’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum.

Suspension and Handling

The GLE Coupe offers an available or off-road. The Highlander Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GLE Coupe has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLE Coupe’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 Coupe 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 Coupe’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 Coupe’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the Highlander Hybrid (115.6 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLE Coupe is .8 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Highlander Hybrid.

Passenger Space

The GLE Coupe has .9 inches more front headroom, 3.6 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room, 3 inches more rear hip room and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Highlander Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

The GLE Coupe has a much larger cargo volume than the Highlander Hybrid with its rear seat up (31.6 vs. 16 cubic feet).

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

Towing

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

Servicing Ease

The GLE Coupe 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 Coupe 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 Coupe 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 Coupe’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 Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The GLE Coupe’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 Coupe’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, 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 Coupe’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 fluid is optional on the GLE Coupe to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the GLE Coupe 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 Coupe’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 has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Mercedes GLE Coupe 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 Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum.

The GLE Coupe 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.

The GLE Coupe’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.

See Available Inventory