Land Rover Defender 90 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe
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 24 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.
$98,400RRP
- with the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe's standard kit: $98,400 (nothing to add; 5 with no data, not charged)
$111,400RRP
- with the Land Rover Defender 90's standard kit: $111,400 (nothing to add)
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 90 starts from $98,400 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe opens at $111,400. That makes the Land Rover Defender 90 the more affordable entry point by $13,000.
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 $108,240 and $122,540 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 90
- 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
- 13 more on the model page.
Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe
- REC-006695 · published 12 Aug 2026Nine model lines: door lock defect (campaign RC5219)Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2026
- REC-006414 · published 29 Aug 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the steering coupling bolts may not meet specifications and could become loose.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- 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
- 21 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 90 features a 11.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe gets a 11.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Land Rover Defender 90 stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, panoramic roof, power tailgate, Burmester audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Land Rover Defender 90 gets leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Land Rover Defender 90 and 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.
Drivetrain
The Land Rover Defender 90 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 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe responds with a Petrol making 190kW and 400Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe has the clear power advantage at 190kW vs 183kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is 1.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
Boot space is 397L in the Land Rover Defender 90 and 570L in the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, giving the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe a 173L advantage.
For towing, the Land Rover Defender 90 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.
11.3m to 11.9m
Based on 11.3m 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
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 90 and $2,195/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. That is a $114 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Defender 90) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Land Rover Defender 90 if: You want the lower entry price, need stronger towing, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe: Top CarSorted Score, 72 vs 67, but the Land Rover Defender 90 is $13,000 cheaper
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (72 vs 67), taking 4 of 6 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe ahead by 31), practicality (Land Rover Defender 90 ahead by 11), reliability (Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe ahead by 7). The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe will save you roughly $114 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe 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 90 and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe?
The Land Rover Defender 90 is the cheapest at $98,400 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe by $13,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe uses the least fuel at 7.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Land Rover Defender 90, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe has the largest boot at 570L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Land Rover Defender 90 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe makes the most power at 190kW. The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is quickest to 100km/h in 7s.
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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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