2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Toyota Sequoia

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, blending the bold aesthetics of the Toyota Tundra with a newly sculpted SUV body. Its design was a significant departure from the previous generation, offering a more commanding presence. The Sequoia's traditional grille and front bumper distinguished it from the Tundra's more unconventional look. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with luxurious touches like leather, wood, and metallic finishes, especially in the upscale Capstone trim. The interior was dominated by a large 14-inch infotainment system, and while it exuded luxury, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD.

In contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE exhibited subtle yet impactful aesthetic changes. The headlights and taillights were sharper, and black fender flares adorned the wheel arches. The grille featured chrome inserts, and the optional AMG Line package added a sporty touch. Standard 19-inch wheels could be upgraded to 21-inch options. The GLE coupe, available in the sporty AMG guise, offered a sleek design with reduced interior space. Inside, the GLE maintained a classic Mercedes-Benz look, with leather and soft-touch surfaces. The open-pore walnut trim was visually appealing, though the Bahia Brown seating gave the cabin a retro feel. The GLE's interior was luxurious, with features like heated and ventilated seats, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, and it could handle a 1,730-pound payload. Fuel efficiency improved, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg with 4WD and 22 mpg with RWD. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. The adaptive rear air suspension adjusted ride and handling traits, though the ride quality could be busy and jittery in certain modes. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, including the entry-level GLE 350 with 255 horsepower, the mid-line GLE 450 with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, and the top-tier 4.0-liter V8 in the GLE 580. The new 450e plug-in hybrid, however, was the focus of our test. It featured a 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder engine, producing 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque in hybrid mode. The 450e could travel up to 55 miles on all-electric power, and the switch between electric and gas modes was seamless. The GLE's Sport mode didn't significantly enhance driving dynamics, and the plug-in hybrid felt more comfortable than sporty. The 450e came with an 11-kW onboard charger and could accept a 60-kW DC fast charge, making it convenient for road trips.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a quiet cabin with comfortable front seats, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The wide, padded upper door panel shelf was a thoughtful touch for long trips. Power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though they could be cumbersome for taller individuals. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row space. The third-row seat was less comfortable than competitors, with limited legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet. The Sequoia's maximum cargo capacity was 86.9 cubic feet, significantly less than its predecessor and rivals.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE compensated for its lack of sporty driving dynamics with interior luxuries. Heated front seats were standard, with options for ventilation and massage functions. Heated and cooled cup holders, customizable ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof enhanced comfort. The cabin remained quiet, and the Burmester stereo system provided excellent audio quality. However, the sun visors did not extend, which was a minor inconvenience. The GLE offered 31.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 74.9 cubic feet with the second row folded. The GLE's towing capacity was 7,700 pounds, and it featured Trailer Maneuvering Assist for easier trailer handling.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and a guest mode. The Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands, though it occasionally provided incomplete information. The Sequoia included a surround-view camera system and a digital rearview mirror. The parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively prevented collisions.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE came with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and the MBUX infotainment system. While the touchscreen was smaller than in other Mercedes models, it was user-friendly. The augmented reality navigation system was a standout feature, providing helpful overlays on the screen. The GLE included an off-road page with detailed information, though it was unlikely to be used frequently. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, but connectivity issues were noted. The GLE offered numerous USB-C ports for charging devices.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The Sequoia's adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist were effective, though the lane-departure warning system's beeping could be irritating. The Sequoia had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but the Tundra, on which it was based, received high ratings.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered advanced driver aids, with blind-spot monitoring as standard. The optional Driver Assistance Package Plus added active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, and lane-change assist. The adaptive cruise control was particularly effective. The GLE had not received an overall crash rating from NHTSA, but it earned high scores for side crashes and rollovers. IIHS gave the GLE top scores in crashworthiness and crash avoidance, with an "Acceptable" headlight rating for models with the Digital Light package.