Land Rover Defender 110 vs Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
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 GLS-Class
From $199,900
SUV
Petrol
270kW
10.5 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
680L
Price Breakdown
The Land Rover Defender 110 starts from $100,900 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class opens at $199,900. That makes the Land Rover Defender 110 the more affordable entry point by $99,000.
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 $219,890 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Land Rover Defender 110 by roughly $3,420 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Land Rover Defender 110 and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class packs more ADAS features with 7 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 6 in the Land Rover Defender 110.
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 GLS-Class. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class adds a 360-degree camera that the Land Rover Defender 110 misses.
Feature Showdown
The Land Rover Defender 110 features a 13.1-inch touchscreen, while the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class gets a 12.3-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 GLS-Class. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class counters with head-up display, panoramic roof, Burmester audio 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 GLS-Class responds with a Petrol making 270kW and 500Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class has the clear power advantage at 270kW vs 183kW. In the real-world sprint, the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is 2.4s 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, 449mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class at 5,207mm (3,135mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 972L in the Land Rover Defender 110 and 680L in the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, giving the Land Rover Defender 110 a 292L advantage. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 3,500kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.8m 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 12.8m 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 $2,993/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. That is a $684 annual difference in favour of the Land Rover Defender 110.
Estimated annual total: $2,309 (Land Rover Defender 110) vs $2,993 (Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class). The Land Rover Defender 110 saves you roughly $684 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 GLS-Class). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Land Rover Defender 110 if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Land Rover Defender 110 takes 3 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Land Rover Defender 110 will save you roughly $684 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.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Land Rover Defender 110 and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?
The Land Rover Defender 110 is the cheapest at $100,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class by $99,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Land Rover Defender 110 uses the least fuel at 8.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Land Rover Defender 110 and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Land Rover Defender 110 has the largest boot at 972L.
Which can tow the most?
The Land Rover Defender 110 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class makes the most power at 270kW. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is quickest to 100km/h in 5.9s.
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.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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