2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

In 2024, the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class exuded a soft sensuality that, while it might have bordered on boring for some, aged well, particularly when owners opted for upgrades like wheels. One could not help but be enchanted by our GLS 450 test vehicle, which featured bright-finish 22-inch AMG rims paired perfectly with the SUV’s silver four-louver grille design, polished metal exterior accents, and a lustrous Twilight Blue paint color. Modern design trends might lean toward a blacked-out aesthetic, but the bright accents and classic design choices of the GLS provided an alluring counter-culture appeal.

Inside, the GLS 450 showcased the Bahia Brown over Black interior color scheme new for 2024, with natural-grain Grey Oak carried over from the previous year. This SUV epitomized the rich detail for which Mercedes interiors were renowned. Contrast stitching, polished aluminum accents, and the high-quality materials made the cabin a place where one could indeed enjoy spending time. The GLS 450, the most affordable in its lineup, boasted a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, while higher trims like the GLS 580, AMG GLS 63, and Maybach GLS 600 came with a twin-turbo V8 with varied power ratings.

Our test GLS 450 featured the AMG Line and Exclusive Trim Packages, Acoustic Comfort Package, leather upholstery, wood trim, 22-inch wheels, and even artificial leather covering the dashboard and door panels. The second-row captain’s chairs, a no-charge option replacing the standard bench seat, further upgraded the experience. These optional features brought the MSRP to $97,730, including the $1,150 destination charge.

Switching gears to the 2024 Toyota Sienna, the minivan did not shy away from its distinctive look, even if Toyota had ceased airing their “swagger wagon” commercials. The Sienna, available in LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited and Platinum trims, sported sleek front and rear fascias, and came in eye-catching colors like deep blue, red, or green. LED lighting was standard, but upper trims benefitted from Bi-LED projector headlamps that illuminated the path in darker settings.

Our XSE tester touted its sport-tuned suspension and sporty aesthetic with a black metallic mesh front grille, black heated side mirrors, and 20-inch dark wheels. For those seeking a rugged vibe, the Woodland Edition catered to off-road enthusiasts with an exclusive Cement or Midnight Black Metallic color, roof rails with crossbars, a tow hitch, and slightly more ground clearance.

The Sienna’s cabin was practical and family-friendly, featuring standard cloth seats, tri-zone climate control, and seating for eight. Our XSE trim, equipped with the Premium package for an extra $4,000, upgraded to second-row captain’s chairs and leather-trimmed, heated, and cooled front seats. It also included a leather-trimmed power steering wheel with Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) controls.

The interior highlighted horizontal design lines for a spacious feel, with a fixed center console polished with satin accents and easily accessible cup holders and shifter. While it might not have been the height of luxury, it was quite suitable for a family vehicle likely to encounter its share of cereal crumbs. Notably, upper trims were equipped with a handy built-in vacuum cleaner.

Despite the allure of a twin-turbo V8 option, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 equipped with a straight-six engine demonstrated that extra power wasn't a necessity. The GLS 450's turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology produced 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, ensuring smooth and swift acceleration while remaining fuel-efficient. Mercedes claimed the GLS 450 could accelerate to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, a satisfying figure for most drivers. Furthermore, the integrated starter-generator added an instant 148 lb-ft of torque, making the SUV lively from a stop.

The vehicle’s nine-speed automatic transmission delivered power to all four wheels via the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. Drivers had the choice of Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual driving modes to tailor vehicle dynamics. Boasting a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, the GLS 450 achieved an official fuel economy rating of 21 mpg in combined driving, with our real-world experience yielding 19.9 mpg on mixed routes.

Driving the GLS 450 proved to be an experience in refinement. It was quiet, quick, and well-calibrated, offering little room for complaint. Its adaptive air suspension allowed the 5,489-pound SUV to handle twisty roads competently, despite occasional oscillations over dips. The massive 22-inch tires provided exceptional grip, contributing to the vehicle’s athletic demeanor, even though they picked up road grit. The braking system performed admirably in all conditions, providing smooth stops.

For off-road enthusiasts, the GLS featured an Off-Road menu within MBUX that displayed terrain under the SUV and the position of the front wheels. The GLS 580 model, exclusively available with an Off-Road Package, offered underbody protection, additional ground clearance, and enhanced water fording capabilities.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna offered a different performance narrative. As a hybrid minivan, it combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors powering the front wheels, and a small battery pack. AWD models introduced an additional electric motor for the rear wheels, collectively producing 245 horsepower.

For those who craved spirited driving, the Sienna's performance fell short. Despite the sport-tuned suspension on our XSE trim, the minivan felt sluggish, with the continuously variable transmission (CVT) detracting from the overall experience. The acceleration, though smooth, lacked the punch needed for confident highway merging or conquering steep mountain passes and the CVT could be loud during such endeavors.

Around town, the Sienna fared better, with Normal and Eco modes optimizing the driving experience, and an EV mode suitable for low-speed environments like parking lots or school drop-off zones. However, the brakes felt grabby at times, and the steering, while light and accurate, offered little engagement. Visibility in the Sienna stood out as excellent, a plus for family-oriented drivers.

In comparison to the competition, the Sienna’s hybrid system and the driving experience might not be as engaging as the V6 powerplants in the Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, or Chrysler Pacifica.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, equipped with the AMG Line package, brought sporty but intrusive side sill trim that could dirty clothing upon entry or exit. Despite this, the front seats in the test vehicle provided ultimate comfort with supple leather, heating, ventilation, massage programs, and extensive adjustments, coupled with a commanding view of the road. The new steering wheel was pleasant to hold but had touch-sensing controls that could be irritating.

The Exclusive Trim Package added heated rear seats and the standard four-zone automatic climate control ensured temperature comfort for all. Optional captain’s chairs in the second row, though low, offered excellent thigh support and generous legroom, coupled with a panoramic sunroof enhancing the airy feel.

Access to the third-row seat was less convenient; one had to either squeeze between the second-row captain’s chairs or wait for the powered seat to move aside, which was time-consuming, especially in unfavorable weather. The third-row was snug for adults and offered less legroom than the spacious second row, but it was adequate for children.

Interior storage was decent with practical cargo space: 17.4 cubic feet behind the third row, 42.7 cubic feet behind the second row, and 84.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in practical storage solutions and clever design choices. Up front, a lower storage pass-through could fit bulkier items, and there were four cupholders plus additional holders in the front doors. A convenient shelf above the glovebox housed the wireless charging pad. Second-row passengers benefited from powered side doors, 25-inch sliding captain’s chairs with up to 40 inches of legroom, and window shades for comfort, though the seats’ slide function was cumbersome and they could not be removed, limiting cargo capacity compared to other minivans.

Accessing the third row was straightforward, even for adults, though maximum legroom varied based on second-row positioning. The third-row seats, which tilted for comfort, provided up to 39 inches of legroom when the second row was fully forward—best in class. Each row was well-endowed with cup holders and window shades.

The Sienna came standard with tri-zone climate control, with higher trims adding a fourth zone, eliminating family arguments over interior temperatures. The rear liftgate could be operated with a kick motion, revealing 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The third-row seats folded easily but didn't lock into place when flush with the floor. With the third row folded, cargo space expanded to 75 cubic feet, or 101 cubic feet with the second row folded.

In 2024, the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class came standard with the latest MBUX infotainment system. This feature included 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, enhancing the cabin's high-tech appeal with improved graphics and several display themes. While the system was generally fast and easy to use, the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel and center console touchpad often led to accidental changes that caused confusion and distraction.

Despite these minor annoyances, MBUX remained a potent technology, boasting intuitive touchscreen operations, superior natural voice recognition, and useful augmented reality for navigation. The standard Burmester surround-sound system, complete with Dolby Atmos technology, provided impressive audio quality.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sienna was equipped with Toyota’s older infotainment system, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the newer system offered better graphics and speed, the older one still had physical buttons for key menus, which some users might prefer for their tactile feedback.

The outdated backup camera provided a grainy image, and the analog gauges paired with a 7-inch digital display in the instrument cluster offered basic information. Despite this, standard features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an optional 12-speaker JBL stereo system added to the technological offerings.

Additionally, the Sienna could be equipped with a rear-camera mirror streaming a wide-angle video feed to the center rear-view mirror and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch screen. However, improvements to the backup camera and the quality of the rear-view mirror stream would enhance overall satisfaction.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class boasted an extensive array of standard safety features, too numerous to detail comprehensively. However, our experience with the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) was positive. The MBUX system allowed customization of ADAS settings, increasing user comfort and reducing irritation.

The forward-collision warning system was effective without being overly intrusive, and the lane-departure warning offered a unique haptic feedback. The lane-keeping assist provided corrective action only when necessary. Adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems worked smoothly even on challenging routes, ensuring a subtle and transparent operation without causing driver fatigue.

The Toyota Sienna, equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, included lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, road sign recognition, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard.

These systems generally performed well, although lane-keeping assist exhibited some side-to-side movement. Adaptive cruise control was particularly helpful in easing stop-and-go traffic stress. The Sienna's safety suite included multiple airbags, seat belt reminders for all rows, and a reminder to check the rear seats for passengers or cargo.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna earned a four-star rating from the NHTSA for frontal crash and rollover protection and five stars for side crash protection. The IIHS rated the minivan "Good" in most crashworthiness tests and “Average” for front crash prevention.