Land Rover Defender 130 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 130
From $114,500
SUV
3.0 i6 D350 Diesel Mild Hybrid
257kW
8.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
389L
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
From $199,900
SUV
Petrol
270kW
10.5 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
680L
Price Breakdown
The Land Rover Defender 130 starts from $114,500 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class opens at $199,900. That makes the Land Rover Defender 130 the more affordable entry point by $85,400.
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 $125,950 and $219,890 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Land Rover Defender 130 by roughly $3,420 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Land Rover Defender 130 and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 7 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 130 and 9 in the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.
Feature Showdown
The Land Rover Defender 130 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 130 stands out with heated front seats and Meridian audio that you will not find on the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class counters with head-up display, panoramic roof, power tailgate and Burmester audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Land Rover Defender 130 uses a 3.0 i6 D350 Diesel Mild Hybrid producing 257kW and 700Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.8 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 257kW. In the real-world sprint, the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is 0.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Land Rover Defender 130 measures 5,099mm long on a 3,587mm wheelbase, 108mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class at 5,207mm (3,135mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Land Rover Defender 130 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 389L in the Land Rover Defender 130 and 680L in the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, giving the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class a 291L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 3,000kg. That 500kg 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 130 and $2,993/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. That is a $684 annual difference in favour of the Land Rover Defender 130.
Estimated annual total: $2,309 (Land Rover Defender 130) vs $2,993 (Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class). The Land Rover Defender 130 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 130) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Land Rover Defender 130 if: You want the lower entry price, 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, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. The Land Rover Defender 130 will save you roughly $684 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class 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 130 and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class?
The Land Rover Defender 130 is the cheapest at $114,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class by $85,400.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Land Rover Defender 130 uses the least fuel at 8.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Land Rover Defender 130 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 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class has the largest boot at 680L.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class 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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