2025 Toyota Sequoia vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia 1794 Edition was a nod to its Texas roots, named after the year the ranch was established where its assembly plant now stands. This model aimed to capture attention with its machined-finish 20-inch wheels, chrome accents, and luxurious Saddle Tan leather upholstery complemented by American walnut wood trim. Despite its hefty price tag, the interior was criticized for its extensive use of Toyota-grade plastic, which detracted from the overall premium feel. The TRD Off-Road Package added rugged elements like a skid plate and off-road wheels, but the Sequoia's design and features were more about making a statement than offering practical off-road capabilities.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE, particularly in the GLE 450 spec, offered a blend of luxury and performance with its turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine and mild-hybrid technology. The Manufaktur Edition Package added exclusive paint, 21-inch wheels, and a panoramic sunroof, enhancing its upscale appeal. Inside, the GLE boasted a sophisticated cabin with Nappa leather, ambient lighting, and a well-designed steering wheel. However, its exterior design was considered bland, and the standard suspension was criticized for allowing too much body motion, detracting from the driving experience. Despite these drawbacks, the GLE's interior comfort and technology features stood out.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia was powered by an i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. This setup provided muscular performance, but fuel economy was disappointing, averaging only 16.2 mpg in real-world testing. The Sequoia's towing capacity was impressive at 9,010 pounds, but its solid rear axle and battery placement compromised interior space and ride quality. Off-road capabilities were limited by a low ground clearance and an air dam that hindered approach angles, although the TRD Off-Road Package added some rugged features.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, delivering 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It offered a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds and included off-road features like Downhill Speed Regulation and a "transparent hood" camera view. However, the standard suspension allowed excessive body motion, affecting the driving experience in both urban and mountain settings. The steering was numb in Comfort mode, and the brakes, while effective in spirited driving, felt grabby in stop-and-go traffic. Despite these issues, the GLE achieved a respectable 21 mpg in combined driving.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia accommodated up to eight passengers, but the third row was best suited for shorter individuals due to limited headroom. The 1794 Edition offered comfortable front seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the high floor and low roof made accessing the third row awkward. Cargo space was limited, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 86.9 cubic feet with all seats folded. This was less than many rivals, including Toyota's own Grand Highlander.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided a comfortable and quiet cabin, with firm yet supportive front seats featuring heating and "energizing seat kinetics." The back seat offered generous legroom and headroom, although the seating position felt low. A third-row seat was available as an option, adding versatility. The GLE's cargo space was more generous, with 33.3 cubic feet behind the back seat and 74.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. Thoughtful storage solutions and a well-designed cargo area added to its practicality.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It offered various connected services, but many advanced features required active subscriptions. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided connectivity, and a 14-speaker JBL sound system delivered quality audio. However, the lack of a tuning knob was a notable oversight, and the voice recognition system had limitations.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE's MBUX infotainment system included dual 12.3-inch displays with lush graphics and minimal reflections. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a Burmester surround-sound audio system and augmented-reality navigation. The native digital voice assistant performed well, though it struggled with some urgent requests. The Exclusive Package added valuable features like Online Music Streaming and Dolby Atmos technology.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. However, the lane assist features were often intrusive, leading to false warnings. At the time of publication, crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE's standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Driver Assistance Package added advanced features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The GLE's Active Emergency Stop Assist was a standout feature, but the route-based speed-adjustment feature was a source of frustration. The GLE earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from IIHS, but NHTSA ratings were not available.