Compare the2025 Toyota Highlander HybridVS 2025 Mercedes GLE Coupe

The Highlander Hybrid has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The GLE Coupe doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Highlander Hybrid’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLE Coupe.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and the GLE Coupe 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 around view monitors.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The GLE Coupe has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Highlander Hybrid 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLE Coupe. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the GLE Coupe ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the GLE Coupe.

There are over 3 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander Hybrid’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 71 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 21st.

On the EPA test cycle the Highlander Hybrid gets better mileage than the GLE Coupe:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline. The GLE Coupe requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Highlander Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The GLE Coupe doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Highlander Hybrid’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the GLE Coupe’s (55% to 45%). This gives the Highlander Hybrid more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Highlander Hybrid’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the GLE Coupe’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 600 pounds less than the Mercedes GLE Coupe.

The front grille of the Highlander Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GLE Coupe doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Highlander Hybrid offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the GLE Coupe can only carry 5.

The Highlander Hybrid has 35.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GLE Coupe (139.5 vs. 104).

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Highlander Hybrid’s middle and third row seats recline. The GLE Coupe’s middle and third row seats don’t recline.

The Highlander Hybrid’s cargo area provides more volume than the GLE Coupe.

The Highlander Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the GLE Coupe’s in almost every dimension:

A Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is standard on the Highlander Hybrid, using the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the GLE Coupe.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Highlander Hybrid has a standard rear wiper. The GLE Coupe doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Mercedes GLE by 51% during 2024.