Land Rover Defender 110 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.

Land Rover Defender 110
From $100,900
SUV
3.0 i6 Diesel Mild Hybrid
183kW
8.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
972L

Mercedes-Benz GLC
From $89,900
SUV
Petrol
150kW
7.2 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
600L
Price Breakdown
The Land Rover Defender 110 starts from $100,900 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC opens at $89,900. That makes the Mercedes-Benz GLC the more affordable entry point by $11,000.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $110,990 and $98,890 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz GLC by roughly $1,285 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Land Rover Defender 110 and Mercedes-Benz GLC hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 85% for the Land Rover Defender 110 and 92% for the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 6 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Land Rover Defender 110 and 9 in the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Feature Showdown
The Land Rover Defender 110 features a 13.1-inch touchscreen, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC gets a 11.9-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Land Rover Defender 110 stands out with heated front seats and ventilated seats that you will not find on the Mercedes-Benz GLC. The Mercedes-Benz GLC counters with head-up display, panoramic roof and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Land Rover Defender 110 uses a 3.0 i6 Diesel Mild Hybrid producing 183kW and 570Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.3 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC responds with a Petrol making 150kW and 300Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
The Land Rover Defender 110 has the clear power advantage at 183kW vs 150kW. In the real-world sprint, the Mercedes-Benz GLC is 0.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Land Rover Defender 110 measures 4,758mm long on a 3,022mm wheelbase, 42mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz GLC at 4,716mm (2,888mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Land Rover Defender 110 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 972L in the Land Rover Defender 110 and 600L in the Mercedes-Benz GLC, giving the Land Rover Defender 110 a 372L advantage.
For towing, the Land Rover Defender 110 leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 1,500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.9m to 12.8m
Based on 12.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,309/year for the Land Rover Defender 110 and $2,052/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLC. That is a $257 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Estimated annual total: $2,309 (Land Rover Defender 110) vs $2,052 (Mercedes-Benz GLC). The Mercedes-Benz GLC saves you roughly $257 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Defender 110) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz GLC). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Land Rover Defender 110 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz GLC if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Land Rover Defender 110 and Mercedes-Benz GLC trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mercedes-Benz GLC will save you roughly $257 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Land Rover Defender 110 has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 20 April 2026
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