2025 Toyota Grand Highlander vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC

$40,860 · Crossover

$49,550 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander (car1) and the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC (car2) is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, with car1 starting at $40,860 compared to car2's $49,550—an $8,690 difference. Performance metrics show car1 delivering slightly more power with 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque versus car2's 255 hp and 295 lb-ft. However, fuel economy favors car2, achieving a combined 27 MPG (requiring premium fuel) compared to car1's 24 MPG (regular unleaded). Dimensionally, the Grand Highlander is substantially larger at 201.4 inches long versus the GLC's 185.7 inches, yet surprisingly, the smaller GLC offers marginally more standardized cargo space at 21.9 cu ft compared to the Grand Highlander's 20.6 cu ft. These figures position car1 as the pragmatic, power-sufficient choice and car2 as the premium, efficiency-focused alternative.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2026 GLC offers superior combined fuel economy at 27 MPG, which directly impacts daily operating costs for commuters.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2025 Grand Highlander's significantly larger overall exterior dimensions (201.4 inches length) suggest greater interior spaciousness suitable for family needs.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander

The Grand Highlander provides higher peak outputs of 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, exceeding the GLC's 255 hp and 295 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander

Car1 boasts an $8,690 lower MSRP and utilizes less expensive regular unleaded fuel, offering better budget metrics.

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...

Your budget is strictly limited, as car1's $40,860 MSRP undercuts car2 by $8,690.
You require a larger vehicle footprint, evidenced by car1's 201.4-inch length versus car2's 185.7 inches.
You wish to avoid the mandatory cost of premium fuel associated with car2's required specification.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLC if...

Maximizing fuel efficiency is paramount, as car2 achieves 27 combined MPG against car1's 24 MPG.
You prefer the handling characteristics associated with a rear-wheel-drive configuration over car1's FWD.
Slightly more standardized cargo space (21.9 cu ft) is required within a smaller exterior package.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Toyota Grand Highlander	Mercedes-Benz GLC
Length	201.4"	185.7"
Width	78.3"	74.4"
Height	70.1"	64.6"
Wheelbase	116.1"	113.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Toyota	Mercedes-Benz
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	—
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row 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	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Automatic Headlights	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

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	265 hp @ 6000 rpm	255 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm	295 lb-ft @ 2000 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 automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	rear wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Toyota	Mercedes-Benz
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	21/28 MPG	24/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	373.8/498.4 mi.	417.6/556.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.8 gal.	17.4 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	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Automatic Parking Assist	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Toyota	Mercedes-Benz
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	11.9 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	5
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	6 months
Subwoofer Count	—	1

Power Feature

Feature	Toyota	Mercedes-Benz
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Toyota	Mercedes-Benz
Front Head Room	41.5 in.	41.3 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	40.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	60.2 in.	57.3 in.
Front Hip Room	56.5 in.	—
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	10-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	3
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	10-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

Rearseats

Feature	Toyota	Mercedes-Benz
Rear Head Room	40.2 in.	39.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.5 in.	37.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.8 in.	56.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.0 in.	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Toyota	Mercedes-Benz
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/65R18	235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Wheel Size	—	18 x 8.0 in
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

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 Grand Highlander and 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC.

How does the required fuel type affect the long-term cost of the Mercedes-Benz GLC versus the Toyota Grand Highlander?

The 2026 GLC requires premium unleaded fuel, which typically costs more per gallon than the regular unleaded specified for the 2025 Grand Highlander. While the GLC gets 27 combined MPG versus the Grand Highlander's 24 MPG, the fuel premium must be factored into the $8,690 initial price difference.

Which vehicle offers superior absolute power output based on provided specifications?

The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander is the more powerful vehicle, generating 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This compares to the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC's output of 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.

Despite the Grand Highlander being physically larger, why does the GLC have slightly better cargo capacity?

The 2026 GLC has 21.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the 2025 Grand Highlander's 20.6 cu ft, suggesting smarter packaging in the physically shorter vehicle (185.7 inches vs 201.4 inches). However, the Grand Highlander's increased size likely translates to better passenger volume.

Is the GLC's rear-wheel drive configuration better than the Grand Highlander's front-wheel drive for towing or performance?

Rear-wheel drive (car2) is often preferred by driving enthusiasts for balanced handling dynamics, while front-wheel drive (car1) is generally better suited for straight-line stability in slippery conditions and packaging efficiency.

What is the exact difference in starting MSRP between the two crossovers?

The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander starts at $40,860. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC has a substantially higher starting MSRP of $49,550, resulting in a $8,690 cost disparity between the base trims.

How many more gears does the transmission in the GLC have compared to the Grand Highlander?

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC features a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission. In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander uses an 8-speed automatic transmission, giving the GLC one additional gear ratio.