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.
Reference image · overseas modelLand Rover Defender 90
From $98,400
SUV
Diesel
3.0 i6 Diesel Mild Hybrid
183kW
8.1 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
397L

Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe
From $111,400
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
190kW
7.7 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
570L
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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.
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 that you will not find on 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 real-world sprint, 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.
Estimated annual total: $2,309 (Land Rover Defender 90) vs $2,195 (Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe). The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe saves you roughly $114 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 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
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. 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.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe 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 GLC Coupe has the largest boot at 570L.
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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