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.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 25 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$136,000RRP
- with the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class's standard kit: $136,000 (nothing to add; 3 with no data, not charged)
$199,900RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Land Rover Defender 130 starts from $136,000 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 $63,900.
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 $149,600 and $219,890 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Land Rover Defender 130
- REC-006645 · published 2 Jul 2026Driver airbag clock spring connector fretting corrosionYear range on the notice: 2019 - 2026
- REC-006642 · published 2 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the connection to the driver’s airbag clock spring may corrode over time and lead to an increased resistance in the airbag circuit.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2026
- REC-006638 · published 2 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the front-end auxiliary drive belt idler pulley may over rotate and cause damage to the oil pressure and temperature sensor.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2026
- 7 more on the model page.
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
- REC-006362 · published 16 Jun 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the multi-purpose camera and/or the interior rear-view mirror on the windscreen may not have been bonded correctly and could detach.Year range on the notice: 2024
- REC-005922 · published 20 Mar 2024Due to a software issue in the transmission control module, the transmission may not downshift under certain conditions and could result in a sudden loss of engine power.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2023
- REC-005747 · published 8 Aug 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the fuel delivery unit may fail causing the fuel pump to switch off.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- 7 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Land Rover Defender 130 features a 11.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Land Rover Defender 130 stands out with heated front seats and Meridian audio — features our data doesn't list for 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.
Interior trim differs: the Land Rover Defender 130 gets leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class offers nappa leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Land Rover Defender 130 and 4-zone in the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.
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 750Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class has the clear power advantage at 270kW vs 257kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is 0.7s 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 3,022mm wheelbase, 116mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class at 5,215mm (3,135mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 389L in the Land Rover Defender 130 and 355L in the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, giving the Land Rover Defender 130 a 34L advantage.
For towing, the Land Rover Defender 130 leads with a 3,000kg braked capacity vs 2,700kg. That 300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.5m 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 12.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,309/year for the Land Rover Defender 130 and $2,223/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. That is a $86 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.
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, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class: Top CarSorted Score, 66 vs 65, but the Land Rover Defender 130 is $63,900 cheaper
The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (66 vs 65), taking 3 of 6 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: practicality (Land Rover Defender 130 ahead by 11), performance (Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class ahead by 7), reliability (Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class ahead by 7). The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class will save you roughly $86 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Land Rover Defender 130 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 $136,000 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class by $63,900.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class uses the least fuel at 7.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Land Rover Defender 130 and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Land Rover Defender 130 has the largest boot at 389L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Land Rover Defender 130 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,000kg.
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 6.1s.
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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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