2025 Land Rover Defender vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

$56,900 · Crossover

$62,250 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

When choosing between rugged capability and refined luxury in the premium crossover segment, the 2025 Land Rover Defender and the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE present a genuine dilemma. The Defender, starting at a lower MSRP of $56,900, brings 296 hp and standard all-wheel drive, making it slightly more potent out of the gate than the GLE's 255 hp. However, the Mercedes-Benz GLE counters with significantly better fuel economy, achieving 23 MPG combined compared to the Defender's 19 MPG combined, which translates to saving money at the pump over time. Furthermore, the GLE offers nearly double the storage space, boasting 33.3 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Defender's modest 15.6 cu ft. The $5,350 initial price gap and the 4 MPG efficiency difference heavily influence the final choice for buyers prioritizing budget or practicality.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The Mercedes-Benz GLE wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 23 MPG versus the Defender's 19 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE is the clear family choice as it provides more than twice the cargo capacity at 33.3 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2025 Land Rover Defender appeals more to driving enthusiasts with its 41 horsepower advantage, producing 296 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Land Rover Defender

The Land Rover Defender offers better value by having a $5,350 lower MSRP at $56,900 compared to the GLE.

Choose the Land Rover Defender if...

You prioritize on-demand power, as the Defender offers 296 hp compared to the GLE's 255 hp.
You require standard all-wheel drive capability for varied road conditions.
You want to save $5,350 upfront, as the Defender's MSRP is significantly lower.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLE if...

Fuel efficiency is a top concern, given the GLE's 23 MPG combined rating.
You frequently haul large amounts of gear, benefiting from 33.3 cu ft of cargo space.
You prefer a larger vehicle footprint, as the GLE is 13.8 inches longer at 194.3 inches.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Land Rover Defender	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Length	180.5"	194.3"
Width	-	76.7"
Height	77.5"	70.7"
Wheelbase	101.9"	117.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Land Rover	Mercedes-Benz
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	—
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Land Rover	Mercedes-Benz
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	296 hp @ 5500 rpm	255 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	295 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm	295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Land Rover	Mercedes-Benz
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	rear wheel drive
4WD System Type	Full Time	—
Transfer Case Gearing	Electronic Hi-Lo	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Land Rover	Mercedes-Benz
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	18/21 MPG	21/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	19 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	428.4/499.8 mi.	472.5/630.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	23.8 gal.	22.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Land Rover	Mercedes-Benz
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	—
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	✓
Side View Camera	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors with Side Sensing	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Automatic Parking Assist	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Land Rover	Mercedes-Benz
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Meridian Speakers	✓	—
Stereo Power	400W	—
Speaker System	11	—
Subwoofer Count	1	2
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Infotainment Display	—	12.3 in
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	6 months

Power Feature

Feature	Land Rover	Mercedes-Benz
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass Extended	1st Row Power Glass
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Land Rover	Mercedes-Benz
Front Head Room	40.6 in.	40.5 in.
Front Leg Room	39.1 in.	40.3 in.
Seat Material: Leather/Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	2-way	10-way
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Manual	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	3	3
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	2-way	10-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Manual	Power
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Shoulder Room	—	59.3 in.
Front Hip Room	—	60.8 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	—	3

Rearseats

Feature	Land Rover	Mercedes-Benz
Rear Head Room	37.2 in.	36.9 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.6 in.	40.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Rear Shoulder Room	—	58.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	—	59.8 in.

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Land Rover	Mercedes-Benz
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	19 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/65R19	255/50R19
Spare Tire Type	Full Size Matching	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Outside Rear Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Size	—	19 x 8.0 in

Suspension

Feature	Land Rover	Mercedes-Benz
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Land Rover	Mercedes-Benz
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	6 yr./ 62000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Land Rover Defender and 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Which vehicle is more practical for carrying family gear?

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE is significantly more practical, offering 33.3 cu ft of cargo space. This is more than double the 15.6 cu ft provided by the 2025 Land Rover Defender.

Does the Defender or the GLE get better gas mileage?

The GLE is the more efficient choice, achieving 23 MPG combined (21 city/28 highway). The Defender lags slightly behind with a combined rating of 19 MPG (18 city/21 highway).

Is the extra power of the Defender worth the trade-off in efficiency?

The Defender produces 296 hp versus the GLE's 255 hp, giving it a 41 hp edge. For performance-oriented drivers, this might justify the lower 19 MPG combined rating.

What is the price difference between these two crossovers?

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE has a higher starting MSRP of $62,250. This makes it $5,350 more expensive than the 2025 Land Rover Defender, which starts at $56,900.

Which vehicle is physically larger overall?

The GLE is notably longer, measuring 194.3 inches compared to the Defender's 180.5 inches. However, the Defender is significantly taller at 77.5 inches versus the GLE's 70.7 inches.

Do both vehicles require premium fuel?

Yes, both the 2025 Land Rover Defender and the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE specify premium unleaded fuel. The Defender recommends it, while the GLE requires it for its powertrain.