2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC adhered closely to Mercedes’ contemporary design ethos, presenting a visually appealing option in the compact crossover segment. Its taut lines and muscular shape flowed elegantly from the signature Mercedes star pattern grille and standard LED headlights. The taller, upright cabin and short overhangs suggested a multi-terrain capability, particularly in models without the AMG Line. The GLC’s crisp headlights and detailed tail lights contributed to a fresh look, while the optional 20-inch AMG five-spoke wheels enhanced its athletic form. Inside, the GLC exuded luxury with beautifully designed, contrasting-leather-adorned interior door panels and premium materials. The GLC 350e PHEV featured supple white leather seats with heating and ventilation options, offering great adjustability and a commanding view of the road. The interior was further enhanced by faux carbon fiber, satin-stitched leather, and painted aluminum trim accents.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, particularly in the top Platinum trim, showcased a conservative design reminiscent of the previous-generation RAV4, scaled up to accommodate up to eight passengers and ample cargo space. The exterior, painted in Storm Cloud, a flat grayish blue, was understated yet functional. Inside, the Grand Highlander emphasized practicality with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. The interior featured glossy hard plastics and unlined storage surfaces, but controls were logically laid out with matte black surfaces and clear iconography. The climate system was user-friendly, with large knobs for temperature adjustments, though the infotainment interface had a small volume knob and lacked a tuning knob. The Grand Highlander’s interior was spacious, with comfortable seating across three rows and nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered a range of powertrains, including the GLC 300 with rear-wheel drive or 4Matic all-wheel drive, and the GLC 350e 4Matic plug-in hybrid. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque in the GLC 300, while the 350e’s output was slightly lower at 201 hp and 236 lb-ft. The GLC 300 featured a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, adding 23 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph time of 6.2 seconds. The 350e’s hybrid system included a 23.3-kilowatt-hour battery and an electric motor, contributing to a combined output of 313 hp and 406 lb-ft, matching the 300’s 0-60 time despite its additional weight. The GLC excelled in ride quality, steering, and handling, absorbing road imperfections well and maintaining composure on highways and winding roads. The braking performance was adequate, with regenerative braking enhancing its 54-mile electric range.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max focused on performance with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 net horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate swiftly, with a traditional six-speed automatic transmission avoiding the droning common in CVTs. The Hybrid Max traded some fuel efficiency for power, achieving 27 mpg compared to the standard hybrid’s 36 mpg. It also offered a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. During testing, the Hybrid Max averaged 23.3 mpg on a mountainous route and 26 mpg on a mixed city and highway route. The powertrain provided rewarding acceleration, with electric motors eliminating turbo lag. The Grand Highlander’s ride quality was soft and isolating, though it exhibited some vertical bounding and lateral rocking on uneven surfaces. Handling was secure at moderate speeds, with excellent outward visibility aided by cameras.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC provided a commanding view of the road, with ample hip, shoulder, and legroom in the front seats, even for taller drivers. However, the rear seats were somewhat tight on leg and headroom, a common issue in the compact crossover segment. The GLC’s boxy shape allowed for 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 52.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The split rear seat dropped instantly via buttons, accommodating larger items like an XL-sized road bike. The GLC’s hybridization offered an estimated fuel economy of 29.3 mpg over 273 miles of mixed driving, with the 350e achieving 23 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined in hybrid mode.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating across three rows, with nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, providing a smart and upscale appearance. The front and second-row seats offered heating, ventilation, and supportive cushions. The second-row captain’s chairs allowed for easy access to the third row, which was comfortable for adults and tall teens. The Grand Highlander provided 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 57.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.5 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the third-generation MBUX infotainment system, with haptic controls for the steering wheel, climate, and infotainment. The 11.9-inch touchscreen required some adjustment to swipe intensity, with occasional sluggish response. Despite these challenges, wireless Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connected seamlessly, and the screen resolution was excellent. The Burmester 3D surround sound system enhanced the driving experience with customizable ambient lighting.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel in higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. Toyota Connected Services provided features like a Wi-Fi hotspot and digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the font was sometimes hard to read. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, and the Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and surround-view camera system.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC came standard with advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring, active parking assistance, and automatic high beams. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, steering assist, lane-change assist, and more, all operating smoothly and effectively.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. The Proactive Driving Assist system was less satisfactory, often turned off due to irritation. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but missed the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to headlight performance and frontal-impact protection ratings.