2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

$45,800 · Crossover

$44,710 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class brings German refinement and compact agility, boasting a premium feel starting at an MSRP of $45,800, though it demands premium unleaded fuel for its 221 hp engine, achieving a respectable 28 MPG combined. Conversely, the colossal 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offers sheer, practical dominance, leveraging its hybrid efficiency to hit 34 MPG combined while delivering a solid 245 hp, all starting hundreds of dollars cheaper at $44,710. The GLB-Class, at 182.4 inches long, is notably more maneuverable than the imposing 201.4-inch Grand Highlander. While the Toyota excels in long-haul efficiency with its 6 MPG advantage, the Mercedes counters with a slightly better city MPG rating of 25 versus the Toyota's unknown city figure but superior overall economy. For drivers prioritizing badge prestige and a tight urban footprint, the GLB shines, but the Hybrid's power and significant fuel savings are undeniable competitive strengths.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 34 MPG versus the GLB's 28 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The significantly larger dimensions of the Grand Highlander (201.4 inches long) suggest greater interior spaciousness for family duties compared to the smaller GLB.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The Grand Highlander Hybrid provides a slight performance edge with 245 hp compared to the GLB's 221 hp, making it marginally quicker off the line.

💰 Best Value

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offers more horsepower and significantly better fuel economy for a lower starting MSRP of $44,710.

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

You strongly prefer the prestige and design language associated with the Mercedes-Benz brand.
Your driving is primarily urban, where the shorter length (182.4 inches) aids parking and agility.
You are willing to pay more for fuel (premium unleaded required) in exchange for a distinctly European driving feel.

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid if...

Maximum fuel efficiency is critical, boasting a 34 MPG combined rating versus the competitor's 28 MPG.
You need standard All-Wheel Drive capability right out of the box for varied weather conditions.
You require the flexibility of using regular unleaded gasoline rather than the required premium fuel of Car 1.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class	Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
Length	182.4"	201.4"
Width	72.2"	78.3"
Height	66.7"	72.1"
Wheelbase	111.4"	116.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Toyota
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
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 Solid 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	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Toyota
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	hybrid
Horsepower	221 hp @ 5500 rpm	245 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft @ 1800 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	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Toyota
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/33 MPG	36/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	34 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	397.5/524.7 mi.	619.2/550.4 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.9 gal.	17.2 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	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
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	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
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	40.7 in.	41.5 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 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	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Front Hip Room	—	56.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Toyota
Rear Head Room	39.3 in.	40.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.1 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.9 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.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	8 yr./ 100000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 25000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

How much larger is the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid than the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class?

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is substantially larger, measuring 201.4 inches in length compared to the Mercedes GLB-Class's 182.4 inches. This substantial 19-inch difference likely translates to significantly more usable interior space for passengers and cargo.

Does the Mercedes GLB-Class require more expensive fuel than the Toyota Hybrid?

Yes, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class explicitly requires premium unleaded fuel for its 221 hp engine. In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid runs efficiently on regular unleaded gasoline, which can lead to substantial long-term savings.

Which vehicle provides more performance from its base powertrain?

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offers 245 hp, beating the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class, which produces 221 hp. Although the Toyota has a CVT, this extra 24 horsepower should give it a quicker feel, particularly when merging onto highways.

Is the fuel economy difference between the two substantial for daily driving?

Yes, the difference is significant; the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid achieves 34 MPG combined, representing a 6 MPG advantage over the GLB-Class's 28 MPG combined. This efficiency gap compounds quickly over a year of driving.

Why might a buyer still choose the GLB despite the Grand Highlander's efficiency edge?

Buyers prioritize the GLB's smaller footprint (72.2 inches wide vs. 78.3 inches for the Toyota) and the inherent brand cachet of Mercedes-Benz. Furthermore, the GLB's conventional 8-speed automated manual transmission might appeal to drivers who dislike the feel of the Toyota's continuously variable automatic transmission.

How does the cargo space compare between these two crossovers?

The Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class actually offers marginally more advertised maximum cargo capacity at 22 cubic feet, compared to the 20.6 cubic feet offered by the much longer Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid.