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Head-to-head

2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class vs 2016 Toyota 4Runner

The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class wins clearly, 82.9 to 75.6, on safety. The Toyota 4Runner is ahead on fuel & range and performance.

D

2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the GL450 4matic, is EPA-rat…

vs
F

2016 Toyota 4Runner

The 2016 Toyota 4Runner is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 4Runner 2WD, is EPA-rated at 19 …

Verdict · default weights

2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

Clear win

The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class wins clearly, 82.9 to 75.6, on safety. The Toyota 4Runner is ahead on fuel & range and performance.

Safety 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class leads by 29.3
Fuel & range 2016 Toyota 4Runner leads by 12.3
Performance 2016 Toyota 4Runner leads by 7.4
Category · weight2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Classoverall 82.92016 Toyota 4Runneroverall 75.6
Pricenot comparedSpecs not availableSpecs not available
Fuel & rangew 387.7100
Safetyw 474.545.2
Space & cargonot comparedSpecs not availableSpecs not available
Performancew 292.6100
Tech & comfortnot comparedSpecs not availableSpecs not available
Warrantynot comparedSpecs not availableSpecs not available
Overall82.975.6

Safety-only comparison · 3 of 7 categories compared · specs not available for Mercedes-Benz GL-Class and Toyota 4Runner

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available) · Toyota 4Runner: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available). Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.

Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.

Where the gap is

the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbers

Where the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class wins

  • It has drawn fewer owner complaints (20 against 81 filed with NHTSA).
  • It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 66 against 52).

Where the 2016 Toyota 4Runner answers

  • It costs $800 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($3,550 against $4,350).
  • It makes 270 hp against 250.

What they share

  • 19 combined.

Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.

Specifications side by side

specs not available
Specs not available. Mercedes-Benz GL-Class and Toyota 4Runner has no manufacturer spec sheet on file, so this is a safety-only comparison: fuel economy and the NHTSA record above.

Safety record

NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAP

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

Safety Signal 66 D
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 7 · 1 filed unfixed
Owner complaints 20 · 1 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Unspecified (5), Seats (3), Engine (2)

Top recalls

  • high Suspension 18V272000 · 9,725 vehicles
  • high Steering 17V241000 · 58,323 vehicles · filed unfixed
  • high Air Bags 17V177000 · 51 vehicles
  • high Suspension 17V081000 · 37 vehicles
  • high Air Bags 16V903000 · 47,799 vehicles
  • high Power Train 16V900000 · 48 vehicles

Toyota 4Runner

Safety Signal 52 F
NHTSA overall ★★★★☆
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★☆☆
Recalls 8 · 2 critical
Owner complaints 81 · 6 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (18), Unspecified (17), Air Bags (10)

Top recalls

  • critical Air Bags 19V741000 · 928,220 vehicles
  • critical Air Bags 19V005000 · 1,299,448 vehicles
  • high Structure 17V763000 · 431 vehicles
  • high Structure 17V425000 · 3,547 vehicles
  • high Equipment 17V291000 · 1,019 vehicles
  • high Air Bags 16V937000 · 2 vehicles

Ownership

EPA, manufacturer warranty
Mercedes-Benz GL-ClassToyota 4Runner
Price——
Price range across trims——
PowertrainsGASGAS
EPA configuration comparedGL450 4matic4Runner 2WD
Combined mpg / MPGe1919
EPA annual fuel cost$4,350$3,550
EV range——
Basic warranty——
Powertrain warranty——
Roadside assistance——

Common questions

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Which is better, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class or the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?

The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class wins clearly, 82.9 to 75.6, on safety. The Toyota 4Runner is ahead on fuel & range and performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class scores 82.9 and the 2016 Toyota 4Runner 75.6. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.

Which has the better safety record, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class or the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?

2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class: no NHTSA rating yet, grade D, 7 recalls (1 filed with no repair available). 2016 Toyota 4Runner: 4 NHTSA stars, grade F, 8 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.

What are the biggest differences between the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class and the 2016 Toyota 4Runner?

Where the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (20 against 81 filed with NHTSA) and has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 66 against 52). Where the 2016 Toyota 4Runner answers: it costs $800 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($3,550 against $4,350) and makes 270 hp against 250. What they share: 19 combined.