Toyota Highlander vs. Mercedes-Benz GLS
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Toyota Highlander and Mercedes-Benz GLS contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Toyota Highlander and the Mercedes-Benz GLS.
When comparing the Toyota Highlander's and the Mercedes-Benz GLS's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Highlander has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, resale value and overall quality score. The Mercedes-Benz GLS has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Toyota Highlander's and the Mercedes-Benz GLS's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Highlander is a better car than the Mercedes-Benz GLS.
Pricing: A used 2024 Toyota Highlander ranges from $41,719 to $53,965 while a used 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS is priced between $83,588 to $179,881. For a new model, the Toyota Highlander's price is between $41,955 and $54,332, with the Mercedes-Benz GLS priced between $89,741 and $187,332.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Toyota Highlander loses 39.2 percent of its value and the Mercedes-Benz GLS loses 55.8 percent of its value. This means the Toyota Highlander retains 16.6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Mercedes-Benz GLS.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Toyota Highlander is 8.7 out of 10 while the Mercedes-Benz GLS's quality rating is 6.3 out of 10. This results in the Toyota Highlander being ranked 9 out of 39 Best SUVs with 3 Rows and the Mercedes-Benz GLS being ranked 14 out of 22 Best Luxury Large SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Toyota Highlander is 8.9 out of 10. For the Mercedes-Benz GLS the reliability rating is 5.6 out of 10. This gives the Toyota Highlander a substantial advantage in reliability compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLS.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Toyota Highlander’s base engine makes 265 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz GLS base engine makes 375 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mercedes-Benz GLS, a crossover/fullsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear head room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Toyota Highlander, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front leg room and rear shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: The Toyota Highlander has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Toyota Highlander has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$41,955 - $54,332
Starting MSRP:
$39,270
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
$37,697
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$31,990 - $43,320
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$89,741 - $187,332
Starting MSRP:
$87,000
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
$88,803
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
$43,900 - $155,295
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$47,051
Price Range:
$41,719 - $53,965
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$47,563
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$40,678 - $66,020
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
704
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
18,016
# Good or Great Deals:
258
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$106,084
Price Range:
$83,588 - $179,881
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
$108,428
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
$48,353 - $235,429
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
560
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
3,843
# Good or Great Deals:
89
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$15,607
Depreciation %:
39.7%
Resale Value $:
$23,663
Residual Value %:
60.3%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize SUVs)
46.3%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
27.5% - 53.5%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$49,089
Depreciation %:
56.4%
Resale Value $:
$37,911
Residual Value %:
43.6%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
57%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
42.8% - 61.5%
Toyota Highlander Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Mercedes-Benz GLS Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
6.3 / 10
Reliability:
5.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.0 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Toyota Highlander
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.2
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
10.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
8.6 - 13.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
67.9%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz GLS
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.8
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
10.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
8.5 - 18.9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
22.2%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.6 - 14.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
1.5 - 32.7
Toyota Highlander Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 32Ranking
3 out of / 16Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 18Ranking
5 out of / 17Ranking
6 out of / 39Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 39Ranking
7 out of / 32Ranking
7 out of / 32Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 39Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 39Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 67Ranking
11 out of / 39Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
15 out of / 39Ranking
15 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 39Ranking
16 out of / 39Ranking
16 out of / 39Ranking
16 out of / 34Ranking
17 out of / 30Ranking
18 out of / 32Ranking
18 out of / 28Ranking
19 out of / 32Ranking
21 out of / 39Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 39Ranking
27 out of / 67Ranking
27 out of / 32Ranking
28 out of / 39Ranking
30 out of / 67Ranking
30 out of / 67Ranking
31 out of / 67Ranking
31 out of / 39Ranking
38 out of / 67Ranking
52 out of / 59Mercedes-Benz GLS Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 68Ranking
2 out of / 68Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 22Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 68Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
5 out of / 68Ranking
5 out of / 68Ranking
5 out of / 22Ranking
6 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 22Ranking
8 out of / 22Ranking
8 out of / 10Ranking
8 out of / 10Ranking
11 out of / 29Ranking
12 out of / 22Ranking
12 out of / 22Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 22Ranking
14 out of / 22Ranking
15 out of / 29Ranking
15 out of / 29Ranking
16 out of / 22Ranking
18 out of / 68Ranking
20 out of / 29Ranking
20 out of / 29Ranking
21 out of / 26Ranking
23 out of / 29Ranking
38 out of / 68Ranking
39 out of / 68Ranking
39 out of / 68Ranking
53 out of / 59Ranking
57 out of / 68Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Toyota Highlander Trim Levels
LE, Limited, Platinum, XLE, XSE
Mercedes-Benz GLS Trim Levels
AMG GLS 63, GLS 450, GLS 580, Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
2 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
265 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
310 foot-lbs @ 1700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.064 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
375 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
369 foot-lbs @ 1800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.069 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Captain's seat:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Captain's seat:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.7 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
84.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
157.8 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
41.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.5 inches
Cargo Space:
17.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
84.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
161.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4155 lbs
Width:
76 inches
Height:
68.1 inches
Length:
194.9 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
5467 lbs
Width:
84.9 inches
Height:
72.4 inches
Length:
205 inches
Wheelbase:
123.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.9 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P235/65R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
21.0 x 10.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/45R21
Exterior Colors
Black
Midnight Black Metallic
Blue
Blueprint / Moon Dust
Gray
Magnetic Gray Metallic
Green
Cypress
Red
Ruby Flare Pearl
Silver
Celestial Silver Metallic
White
Wind Chill Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Black / Obsidian Black Metallic
Blue
Twilight Blue Metallic
Gray
MANUFAKTUR Alpine Grey / Selenite Grey Metallic
Green
Emerald Green Metallic
Red
MANUFAKTUR Cardinal Red Metallic
Silver
Cirrus Silver Metallic
White
MANUFAKTUR Diamond White Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Moonlight White Metallic / Polar White
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Graphite
Beige
Not available
Brown
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
Beige
Catalana Beige/Black / Macchiato Beige/Black
Brown
Bahia Brown/Black
