Verdict
At RM999,888, the Mercedes-Benz GLS costs RM703,888 more than the RM296,000 Toyota GR86, but they serve radically different Malaysian needs. The GLS is a 5,207-mm seven-seat SUV with a 355-litre boot, 362 hp and 500 Nm, plus all-wheel drive and air suspension. The 1,291-kg GR86 is a four-seat, rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual, 234 hp and a limited-slip differential. The GLS is quicker to 100 km/h by 0.2 seconds, yet the GR86’s RM767 annual road tax is RM871 lower.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLS if you need seven seats, a 355-litre boot, extensive driver assistance and all-wheel-drive SUV practicality.
Pick the Toyota GR86 if you want the far lower entry price, a 1,291-kg coupe and a six-speed manual rear-wheel-drive layout.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz GLS RM999,888; Toyota GR86 RM296,000.
- Power and torque: GLS 362 hp and 500 Nm; GR86 234 hp and 250 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: GLS 6.1 seconds; GR86 6.3 seconds.
- Size and seating: GLS 5,207 mm long with seven seats; GR86 4,265 mm long with four seats.
- Kerb weight: GLS 2,385 kg; GR86 1,291 kg.
- Annual road tax: GLS RM1,638; GR86 RM767.
GLS
- Seven seats and a 355-litre boot.
- 362 hp, 500 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- AIRMATIC air suspension, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera.
- RM703,888 more expensive to buy.
- At 2,385 kg, it is 1,094 kg heavier.
- Annual road tax is RM871 higher.
GR86
- Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and rear limited-slip differential.
- 1,291-kg kerb weight.
- Full-size spare tyre and five-year/150,000-km warranty.
- Only four seats and a 226-litre boot.
- 234 hp and 250 Nm trail the GLS by 128 hp and 250 Nm.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, front parking sensors or auto parking.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM999,888 | RM296,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Coupe |
| Segment | Luxury | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,638 | RM767✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, twin turbochargers and variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,999 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 362 hp✓ | 234 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 83 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 12.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 9G-Tronic | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 9 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.1 seconds✓ | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 226 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,207 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 2,157 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,823 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,135 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 2,385 kg | 1,291 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 90 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 7 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 355 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 285/45R22 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/45R22 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | United States (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link with Air Suspension | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | AIRMATIC with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) | Rear Limited Slip Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, PRE-SAFE Brake, Full Auto Brake | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Multibeam LED Projector | LED Headlamps |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Sports Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row | Foldable |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Balance Perfume System and Ioniser | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Door Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" MBUX, COMAND Controller, Touchpad, Burmester Sound System with 13 Speakers (590W) and rear seat individual entertainment system, including two 11.6-inch monitors with wireless headphones, rear center armrest control/USB/audio interface | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Driver and Passenger One Touch Auto Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | Soft Close Function, All Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | MBUX Interior Assistant, Qi Wireless Charger | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used GLS & GR86 for sale
GLS vs GR86 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLS or Toyota GR86 better?
The GLS is better for carrying people, luggage and for its driver-assistance equipment, with seven seats and a 355-litre boot. The GR86 is the better fit for a buyer who specifically wants a lighter rear-wheel-drive manual coupe.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS costs RM703,888 more than the Toyota GR86. Its annual road tax is also RM871 higher, at RM1,638 versus RM767.
Which one is quicker?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS reaches 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, 0.2 seconds ahead of the Toyota GR86’s 6.3 seconds. It also has a 250 km/h top speed versus 226 km/h.