Mercedes-Benz GLE vs Toyota LandCruiser 300

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Mercedes-Benz GLE a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Mercedes-Benz GLE features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Toyota LandCruiser 300 gets a 8-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE stands out with head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate, Burmester audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Toyota LandCruiser 300. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Mercedes-Benz GLE gets nappa leather upholstery while the Toyota LandCruiser 300 offers cloth.

Drivetrain

The Mercedes-Benz GLE uses a Petrol producing 320kW and 560Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.3 seconds.

The Toyota LandCruiser 300 responds with a Diesel Twin-Turbo V6 making 227kW and 700Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.6 seconds.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE has the clear power advantage at 320kW vs 227kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mercedes-Benz GLE is 3.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Mercedes-Benz GLE measures 4,924mm long on a 2,995mm wheelbase, 56mm shorter than the Toyota LandCruiser 300 at 4,980mm (2,850mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz GLE generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 630L in the Mercedes-Benz GLE and 700L in the Toyota LandCruiser 300, giving the Toyota LandCruiser 300 a 70L advantage. The Mercedes-Benz GLE seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Toyota LandCruiser 300 leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 3,500kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Toyota LandCruiser 300's turning circle is 0.3 m tighter, 11.8 m against 12.1 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mercedes-Benz GLE costs about $2,879 a year (10.1 L/100km) and fuel for the Toyota LandCruiser 300 about $2,537 a year (8.9 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $342 a year less for the Toyota LandCruiser 300.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz GLE) and 5 years / Unlimited (Toyota LandCruiser 300).

Where each one leads

The Mercedes-Benz GLE: more power (320kW against 227kW).

The Toyota LandCruiser 300: the lower starting price ($97,990 against $199,900), the bigger boot with the seats up (700L against 630L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,537 a year against $2,879).

The Verdict

Toyota LandCruiser 300 scores higher, 76 vs 65

The Toyota LandCruiser 300 scores 76 to the Mercedes-Benz GLE's 65 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Toyota LandCruiser 300 ahead by 27 points), performance (Mercedes-Benz GLE ahead by 23 points), value (Toyota LandCruiser 300 ahead by 20 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Toyota LandCruiser 300 costs about $342 less (8.9 L/100km against 10.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 630L in the Mercedes-Benz GLE, 700L in the Toyota LandCruiser 300.

Common questions