2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to transcend the traditional minivan aesthetic with deliberate styling choices. Toyota’s efforts to make the Sienna visually appealing were evident in the front-end design that resembled a Japanese bullet train, paired with available 20-inch wheels on specific trims. Despite these efforts, the minivan’s form factor, replete with its sliding doors, never completely shook its family-centric vibes. Inside, the high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim added a touch of luxury. Buyers had choices ranging from the base LE to the top-shelf Platinum trim, along with a special 25th Anniversary Edition, offering various degrees of premium features.

By contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class embraced a soft sensuality that straddled the line between timeless and potentially monotonous—an aspect that aged well over time. The GLS 450’s exterior with its 22-inch AMG rims, polished metal accents, and Twilight Blue paint exuded an understated elegance. Internally, the GLS showcased an elevated look with Bahia Brown and Black interior color schemes, natural-grain Grey Oak trim, and polished aluminum accents. Whether traveling in the GLS 450 or upgrading to the more powerful variants like the GLS 580 or AMG GLS 63, each level ensured a rich, detailed, and comfortable environment.

Toyota radically revamped the Sienna in 2020 by adopting a hybrid-only approach. The 2023 model made use of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with two front electric motors and a third rear-mounted electric motor for the AWD trims. Together, they produced 245 horsepower. Though the Sienna lacked the robust acceleration of some competitors, its nimble chassis and easy city maneuvering compensated for the less thrilling powertrain. Four drive modes—EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport—added versatility, but normal mode proved to be the most balanced for everyday driving.

In contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 came with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine combined with mild-hybrid technology, offering 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic AWD system provided smooth and swift acceleration, achieving 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds. Various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual, allowed tailored vehicle dynamics. The GLS 450 excelled with its adaptive air suspension, delivering a composed and nimble drive despite its substantial size and weight. Even towing capabilities were impressive, maxing out at 7,700 pounds, while achieving an official combined fuel economy rating of 21 mpg.

Interior storage is where the 2023 Toyota Sienna truly shined. The minivan boasted numerous cubbies and storage bins, including a large cubby below the center console and a long shelf across the dashboard. Measuring over 200 inches in length with a 120.5-inch wheelbase, the Sienna utilized its space efficiently. Behind the third row, it offered 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, which expanded to 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 101 cubic feet overall. However, the inability to remove the middle-row seats capped its maximum cargo capacity.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class delivered a different type of practicality. Enhanced with the AMG Line package, the GLS had both styling and functional adjustments. The front seats boasted supple leather, heating, ventilation, and massage programs. Rear-seat legroom was expansive, and the no-cost optional captain’s chairs offered excellent support. However, accessing the third row was cumbersome, and it provided limited space for adults. Cargo space in the GLS was practical but modest for its class: 17.4 cubic feet behind the third row, 42.7 cubic feet behind the second row, and 84.7 cubic feet overall.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna came up short in the tech department, sticking to an older infotainment interface. Core functionalities such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM were present, but required wired connections. The 9-inch touchscreen worked well enough, though the overall system felt dated and clunky in comparison to newer offerings.

Conversely, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class showcased the latest MBUX infotainment system featuring two 12.3-inch screens for instrumentation and infotainment. The system provided excellent graphics and an intuitive interface, though the touch-sensitive steering wheel controls and the touchpad near the cupholders occasionally introduced frustrations. Despite these minor annoyances, MBUX stood out with features like natural voice recognition and augmented reality for navigation.

Safety in the 2023 Toyota Sienna was nothing short of impressive. Standard safety technologies included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Its five-star NHTSA rating and Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS for the 2022 model underscored its reliability.

For the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, the suite of standard safety features was extensive, allowing users to tailor settings via the MBUX system. Features like forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist were highly effective. Adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems operated smoothly, enhancing driving confidence in various conditions. One rare glitch occurred with lane-centering at a complex intersection, but overall, the ADAS performed admirably.