Compare the2026 Toyota SequoiaVS 2026 Mercedes GLS

The Toyota Sequoia has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GLS doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Sequoia has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The GLS doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Sequoia and the GLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available four-wheel drive.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Sequoia 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLS. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the GLS ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Sequoia for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the GLS.

There are over 3 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sequoia’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sequoia’s reliability 33 points higher than the GLS.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sequoia second among large SUVs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The GLS was rated third in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 10 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota higher than Mercedes.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 81 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 28th.

The Sequoia’s 3.4 turbo V6 hybrid produces 62 more horsepower (437 vs. 375) and 214 lbs.-ft. more torque (583 vs. 369) than the GLS 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Sequoia’s 3.4 turbo V6 hybrid produces 45 lbs.-ft. more torque (583 vs. 538) than the GLS 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid. The Sequoia’s 3.4 turbo V6 hybrid produces 45 lbs.-ft. more torque (583 vs. 538) than the Maybach GLS 600’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Sequoia gets better mileage than the GLS:

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Toyota Sequoia, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the GLS.

The Toyota Sequoia’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mercedes GLS only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Sequoia has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the GLS; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sequoia is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the GLS.

The front grille of the Sequoia uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GLS doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Sequoia has standard seating for 8 passengers; the GLS can only carry up to 7.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sequoia’s middle and third row seats recline. The GLS’ third row seats don’t recline.

The Sequoia’s cargo area provides more volume than the GLS.

The Sequoia’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The GLS’ rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The Sequoia’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the GLS’ (9120 vs. 7700 pounds).

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Sequoia, using the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the GLS.

The Sequoia’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The GLS does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Sequoia has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the GLS only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Sequoia is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GLS doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.