Compare the2026 Mercedes GLEVS 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser

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

Safety

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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 Land Cruiser doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from other vehicles.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the GLE 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 Land Cruiser uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the GLE and the Land Cruiser 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 Land Cruiser:

	GLE	Land Cruiser
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	84	205
Neck Injury Risk	24%	38.7%
Neck Stress	208 lbs.	517 lbs.
Neck Compression	17 lbs.	61 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	301/184 lbs.	393/328 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	209	238
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	38.5%
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	277 lbs.
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	84 lbs.

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

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

	GLE	Land Cruiser
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	16 inches
HIC	264	332
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	42 G’s
Hip Force	615 lbs.	702 lbs.

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the GLE, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 9.1% less likely to roll over than the Land Cruiser, which received a three-star rating.

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 2025 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 Land Cruiser has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

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 Land Cruiser’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Engine

The GLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 49 more horsepower (375 vs. 326) than the Land Cruiser’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The GLE 450e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 55 more horsepower (381 vs. 326) and 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 465) than the Land Cruiser’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The GLE 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 184 more horsepower (510 vs. 326) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 465) than the Land Cruiser’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes GLE is faster than the Toyota Land Cruiser:

	GLE 350	GLE 450	Land Cruiser
Zero to 60 MPH	7.6 sec	5.6 sec	8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	14.2 sec	16.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87.5 MPH	97.4 MPH	86.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GLE 450e running on electricity gets better mileage than the Land Cruiser (57 city/63 hwy MPGe vs. 22 city/25 hwy).

The GLE 450e can travel with zero emissions for 49 miles. The Land Cruiser can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Both the GLE and Land Cruiser 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 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Land Cruiser (22.5 vs. 17.9 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 Land Cruiser.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	GLE	Land Cruiser
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13.1 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13.1 inches

The GLE stops much shorter than the Land Cruiser:

	GLE	Land Cruiser
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	190 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	117 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLE has larger standard tires than the Land Cruiser (255/50R19 vs. 245/70R18). The GLE 450/580’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Land Cruiser (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. 265/60R20).

The GLE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Land Cruiser 1958’s standard 70 series tires. The GLE 450/580’s optional 285/40R22 front and 325/35R22 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Land Cruiser’s optional 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLE has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Land Cruiser 1958. The GLE 450/580’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Land Cruiser.

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 Land Cruiser doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Mercedes GLE has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota Land Cruiser has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

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 Land Cruiser.

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 Land Cruiser’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 Land Cruiser doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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 Land Cruiser 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 Land Cruiser (117.9 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The GLE 450 handles at .84 G’s, while the Land Cruiser pulls only .69 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GLE 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.7 seconds quicker than the Land Cruiser (27 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 29.7 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the GLE’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Land Cruiser’s (39.4 feet vs. 40 feet).

For greater off-road capability the GLE Airmatic has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Land Cruiser (9.2 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the GLE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Mercedes GLE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 550 pounds less than the Toyota Land Cruiser.

Unibody construction lowers the GLE’s 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 Land Cruiser doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the GLE 450 is quieter than the Land Cruiser (70 vs. 71 dB).

Passenger Space

The GLE offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Land Cruiser can only carry 5.

The GLE has .4 inches more front headroom, 7.3 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room and 14.2 inches more rear legroom than the Land Cruiser.

The front step up height for the GLE is 3 inches lower than the Land Cruiser (20” vs. 23”). The GLE’s rear step up height is 4.5 inches lower than the Land Cruiser’s (20” vs. 24.5”).

Cargo Capacity

The GLE has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Land Cruiser with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 55.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the GLE easier. The GLE’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.7 inches, while the Land Cruiser’s liftover is 35.6 inches.

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

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

Towing

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Land Cruiser’s (7700 vs. 6000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The GLE uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Land Cruiser 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.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Land Cruiser (except 1958), 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. An easy entry system costs extra on the Land Cruiser, and is not available on all models.

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 Land Cruiser doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

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 Land Cruiser doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

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

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 Land Cruiser doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GLE to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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

Both the GLE and the Land Cruiser have standard heated front seats. The GLE also offers optional heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Land Cruiser.

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 Land Cruiser.

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. Wireless charging costs extra on the Land Cruiser.

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

Model Availability

and e Mercedes GLE comes in four door bodystyles; the Toyota Land Cruiser isn’t available as a .

The GLE is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

The Mercedes GLE outsold the Toyota Land Cruiser by over two to one during 2024.

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