2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

$43,000 · Crossover

$41,360 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the compact luxury of the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and the spacious utility of the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander presents a classic dilemma: do you prioritize premium feel or sheer size? The GLA-Class starts higher at an MSRP of $43,000 but compensates with efficiency, boasting a 29 MPG combined rating, whereas the larger Grand Highlander sips fuel less often, achieving 24 MPG combined, though it runs on cheaper regular unleaded. Performance differences are noticeable; the Toyota offers 265 hp compared to the Mercedes' 221 hp. While the GLA is significantly smaller at 173.6 inches long, perfect for city parking, the Grand Highlander stretches to 201.4 inches, offering a massive advantage in practicality with 20.6 cu ft of cargo space versus the GLA's 15.4 cu ft. For budget-conscious daily drivers, the MPG savings and lower entry price of the Toyota often tilt the scales, despite the Benz's badge appeal.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

The GLA-Class wins for commuters due to its superior 29 MPG combined fuel economy and smaller footprint, making city driving and parking easier.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

The Grand Highlander is the family champion, offering significantly more room with 20.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the GLA's 15.4 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

The Toyota appeals more to performance enthusiasts by offering higher output with 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

The Grand Highlander offers more power, significantly more space, and uses less expensive regular unleaded fuel for a lower MSRP of $41,360.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class if...

You frequently drive in dense urban areas where the 173.6-inch length of the GLA is a major advantage for parking.
Maximizing fuel efficiency is key, as the GLA offers a 29 MPG combined rating, beating the competitor by 5 MPG.
You prefer the smooth operation of an 8-speed automated manual transmission combined with a luxury brand experience.

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...

You regularly need maximum space, utilizing the superior 20.6 cu ft of cargo capacity.
You want more robust acceleration provided by 265 hp, which is 44 hp more than the Mercedes.
You wish to save money on fuel costs by using regular unleaded instead of premium, despite slightly lower mileage (24 MPG combined).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class	Toyota Grand Highlander
Length	173.6"	201.4"
Width	72.2"	78.3"
Height	63.5"	70.1"
Wheelbase	107.4"	116.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Toyota
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Brake Drying	✓	—
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	—
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	—	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Toyota
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	gas
Horsepower	221 hp @ 5500 rpm	265 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm	310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Toyota
Transmission Type	8-speed automated manual	8-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Toyota
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/34 MPG	21/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	29 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.0/459.0 mi.	373.8/498.4 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.5 gal.	17.8 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Toyota
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Driver Assisted Parking Assist	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Cruise Control	✓	—
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Toyota
Infotainment Display	10.25 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	6 months	3 months
Speaker System	—	6

Power Feature

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Toyota
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Toyota
Front Head Room	39.0 in.	41.5 in.
Front Leg Room	41.0 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	60.2 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	✓	—
Driver Seat Memory Settings	3	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	✓	—
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	3	—
Front Hip Room	—	56.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Toyota
Rear Head Room	38.1 in.	40.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.0 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.8 in.	58.8 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	57.0 in.
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Toyota
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Size	235/55R18	255/65R18
Run Flat Tires	✓	—
Tire Type	—	All Season
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Toyota
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Toyota
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	2 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 25000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander.

Does the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class require a premium fuel, and how does that affect cost versus the Toyota?

Yes, the 2025 GLA-Class requires premium unleaded fuel, even though it achieves better efficiency at 29 MPG combined. The 2026 Grand Highlander uses regular unleaded and achieves 24 MPG combined, which often results in lower overall running costs despite its poorer mileage.

How much bigger is the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander on the road compared to the GLA?

The Grand Highlander is substantially larger, measuring 201.4 inches long compared to the GLA's 173.6 inches. This nearly 28-inch difference means the Toyota is easier for family hauling but noticeably harder to maneuver in tight city spots.

Which car is genuinely quicker off the line based on horsepower?

The Toyota Grand Highlander is the faster vehicle, boasting 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. This significantly outmuscles the GLA-Class, which produces 221 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

What is the practical difference in cargo space for weekend trips?

The cargo capacity is a key differentiator; the Grand Highlander provides 20.6 cu ft, while the GLA-Class offers only 15.4 cu ft. That extra 5.2 cubic feet in the Toyota allows for significantly more luggage or gear.

How does the starting MSRP compare between these two crossovers?

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander has a slight edge in base pricing at $41,360, making it more accessible than the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, which starts at $43,000.

Are there transmission differences between the two FWD models?

Yes, while both use an 8-speed setup, the Mercedes GLA utilizes an 8-speed automated manual, whereas the Toyota Grand Highlander uses a conventional 8-speed automatic transmission.