2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC maintained a familiar aesthetic, ensuring it did not alienate its loyal fanbase. The redesign was subtle, with new taillights and repositioned door handles, but it retained much of its predecessor's look. The headlights were narrower and more aggressive, while the taillights were connected by a trim piece across the back. The trunk design was updated, with less chrome and a more integrated rear bumper. The GLC Coupe's steeply sloping profile remained its standout feature, with a fastback roof that barely formed a trunk. The grille differentiated the AMG models from the GLC 300, with the AMG featuring vertical bars reminiscent of a pinstriped uniform. Inside, the GLC's interior was luxurious, with a two-tone Sienna Brown and Black leather upholstery in the AMG GLC 43 SUV. The optional wood-and-metal dash treatment echoed the grille's pinstripe effect, and the cabin was filled with screens, buttons, ambient lighting, and vents, making it a gadget-heavy environment.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a retro look with its base model, the 1958, which featured round headlights, cloth seats, and basic equipment. The more modern Land Cruiser model had a sophisticated appearance, with larger screens and a nicer interior. It also included critical off-roading hardware and software, making it a more capable vehicle. The Premium Package added leather, a sunroof, and a roof rack, enhancing its appeal. The Land Cruiser's traditional two-box SUV design maximized off-road clearances and visibility, with a purposeful look underscored by dark gray cladding. The interior was utilitarian, with traditional switchgear and a Java-colored leather option. The dual 12.3-inch digital screens added a technological edge, and the steering-wheel controls were intuitive. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road capability, with features like a front stabilizer bar disconnect and Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views, making it a capable adventurer.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 43 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from AMG, producing an impressive 416 horsepower, surpassing the previous generation's 385 hp twin-turbo V6. This engine was supported by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The base GLC 300 offered 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, which was respectable but overshadowed by the GLC 43's performance. The GLC 300 was rear-wheel-drive, with an optional 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, while the AMG GLC 43 came standard with 4Matic AWD. Both powertrains used a nine-speed automatic transmission, with the GLC 43 featuring the AMG Speedshift MCT 9-speed, offering faster shifts and better torque handling. The performance suspension provided improved handling but resulted in a firmer ride, making it less suitable for daily commuting.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. This power was delivered through a full-time four-wheel-drive system with electronic locking differentials, allowing for a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. The Land Cruiser included standard off-roading features like Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control, with the more expensive model adding Multi-Terrain Select modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. The Land Cruiser's EPA rating of 23 mpg combined was optimistic, with real-world testing showing 15.7 mpg. Despite its off-road prowess, the Land Cruiser struggled on twisty roads due to its tires and suspension tuning. However, it excelled in urban and suburban driving, with a high seating position and excellent visibility.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC's cabin was driver-focused, with controls angled toward the driver. The front seats offered heat and memory functions, with optional ventilation and heated rear seats. The GLC SUV provided 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 59.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The GLC Coupe offered 17.6 cubic feet of cargo volume, expanding to 52.6 cubic feet with the seats down. The Coupe's hatchback-like configuration allowed for more space, but it was still tighter than the SUV.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser upgraded from cloth to SofTex artificial leather in the base model, with the Premium Package adding real leather and a sunroof. The front seats were comfortable, but the second-row seats lacked support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The Land Cruiser's rear window did not power down into the tailgate, limiting airflow. The center console's cool box was part of the Premium Package but reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser offered 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The high load floor required effort when loading heavy items.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured an 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen running the third-generation MBUX infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the Exclusive trim adding navigation, a 15-speaker Burmester sound system, and an off-road dash display. The Pinnacle trim added a head-up display and augmented reality navigation. The Advanced USB package increased the number of USB-C ports from three to six.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser upgraded to two 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. Five connected service plans were available, including Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless charger, a head-up display, and digital key technology.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with an "Acceptable" rating for the standard front crash-prevention system. Standard safety features included active brake assist, attention assist, blind-spot and exit warning assist, adaptive braking technology, and active parking assist. The Pre-Safe system prepared the vehicle for a crash by tightening seatbelts and closing windows. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, and active lane-keeping assist.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. It also featured lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving. Additional safety features included a road sign reader, automatic high-beam headlights, and Predictive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rollover resistance rating.