2025 Toyota 4Runner vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Comparison Overview
Stuck between needing rugged capability and demanding urban efficiency? That’s the core dilemma comparing the highly anticipated 2025 Toyota 4Runner against the slick 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA. The 4Runner, starting at $41,270, is substantially larger at 194.9 inches long and boasts muscle with 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, but it lags significantly in fuel economy, achieving only 22 combined MPG. Conversely, the GLA, priced slightly higher at $41,500, prioritizes efficiency, hitting 29 combined MPG, aided by its smaller footprint (173.6 inches long). While the Mercedes offers a smoother daily drive due to its FWD setup and better mileage, the 4Runner carries significantly more gear with 48.4 cu ft of cargo space compared to the GLA's 15.4 cu ft, illustrating a clear trade-off between traditional SUV utility and premium crossover thriftiness.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is the clear winner for commuters due to its superior 29 combined MPG rating versus the 4Runner's 22 MPG.
2025 Toyota 4Runner
The 4Runner is better for families needing space, offering a massive 48.4 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the GLA's 15.4 cu ft.
2025 Toyota 4Runner
Automotive enthusiasts will prefer the 4Runner's substantial 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque for spirited driving dynamics.
2025 Toyota 4Runner
Despite a similar MSRP, the 4Runner provides significantly more power and utility for the money, assuming fuel costs are managed.
Choose the Toyota 4Runner if...
- You need serious hauling capacity, benefiting from the 48.4 cu ft of cargo volume.
- You prioritize sheer power, utilizing the 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque available.
- You prefer standard regular unleaded fuel over the GLA's premium requirement.
Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLA if...
- Your commute demands maximum efficiency, netting you 29 combined MPG.
- You drive primarily in tight urban environments where the smaller 173.6-inch length is beneficial.
- You prefer the responsive shifting feel of an 8-speed automated manual transmission paired with FWD.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota 4Runner | Mercedes-Benz GLA |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 194.9" | 173.6" |
| Width | 78.0" | 72.2" |
| Height | 72.6" | 63.5" |
| Wheelbase | 112.2" | 107.4" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | — |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | — |
| Front Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic 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 |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Brake Drying | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.4 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | mild hybrid |
| Horsepower | 278 hp @ 6000 rpm | 221 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 317 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | 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 | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed automated manual |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | premium unleaded (required) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/26 MPG | 26/34 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 29 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 380.0/494.0 mi. | 351.0/459.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 19.0 gal. | 13.5 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Driver Assisted Parking Assist | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 10.25 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 8 | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 6 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.7 in. | 39.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.8 in. | 41.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 58.0 in. | 55.9 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.2 in. | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | Power |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Thigh Extension | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | — | 3 |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Passenger Seat Thigh Extension | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Memory Settings | — | 3 |
Rearseats
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 37.8 in. | 38.1 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 34.8 in. | 38.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 57.8 in. | 54.8 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 56.1 in. | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | — |
| Tire Size | P245/70R17 | 235/55R18 |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Run Flat Tires | — | ✓ |
Suspension
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Toyota | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. | — |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | — | 6 yr./ 62000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota 4Runner and 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA.
How significant is the fuel economy difference between the 2025 4Runner and the 2026 GLA?
The difference is quite noticeable in day-to-day driving. The GLA achieves 29 combined MPG, while the 4Runner only manages 22 combined MPG, creating a 7 MPG gap favoring the Mercedes.
If I am upgrading from an older model, which vehicle has substantially more power?
The 2025 Toyota 4Runner offers considerably more performance, generating 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, which dwarfs the GLA's 221 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
Is the higher starting price of the Mercedes GLA justified by the utility difference?
While the prices are similar (GLA $41,500 vs. 4Runner $41,270), the 4Runner provides vastly superior utility with 48.4 cu ft of cargo space versus the GLA's 15.4 cu ft.
Does one vehicle require more expensive fuel than the other?
Yes, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA explicitly requires premium unleaded fuel for its engine. In contrast, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner runs happily on regular unleaded.
Which SUV is physically smaller and easier to maneuver in cities?
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA is the more city-friendly option; it is 173.6 inches long and 72.2 inches wide, significantly smaller than the 194.9-inch long 4Runner.
What is the main difference in drivetrain configuration for these two SUVs?
The 2025 Toyota 4Runner comes standard with a Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) configuration and an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA utilizes a Front Wheel Drive (FWD) setup paired with an 8-speed automated manual transmission.
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