Land Rover Defender OCTA vs Mercedes-Benz GLC
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 OCTA
From $304,500
SUV
Petrol
4.4L V8 Twin-Turbo Petrol Mild Hybrid
467kW
13.1 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
972L

Mercedes-Benz GLC
From $89,900
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
150kW
7.5 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
600L
Track the Land Rover Defender OCTA & Mercedes-Benz GLC
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Price Breakdown
The Land Rover Defender OCTA starts from $304,500 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC opens at $89,900. That makes the Mercedes-Benz GLC the more affordable entry point by $214,600.
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 $334,950 and $98,890 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz GLC by roughly $7,980 in fuel alone.
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 OCTA features a 11.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC gets a 11.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Land Rover Defender OCTA stands out with heated front seats, ventilated seats and Meridian audio that you will not find on the Mercedes-Benz GLC. The Mercedes-Benz GLC counters with head-up display. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Land Rover Defender OCTA gets leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz GLC offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Land Rover Defender OCTA and 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Drivetrain
The Land Rover Defender OCTA uses a 4.4L V8 Twin-Turbo Petrol Mild Hybrid producing 467kW and 750Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC responds with a Petrol making 150kW and 320Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
The Land Rover Defender OCTA has the clear power advantage at 467kW vs 150kW. In the real-world sprint, the Land Rover Defender OCTA is 4.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Land Rover Defender OCTA measures 4,813mm long on a 3,023mm wheelbase, 97mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz GLC at 4,716mm (2,888mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Land Rover Defender OCTA generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 972L in the Land Rover Defender OCTA and 600L in the Mercedes-Benz GLC, giving the Land Rover Defender OCTA a 372L advantage.
For towing, the Land Rover Defender OCTA 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.
11.9m 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 11.9m 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 $3,734/year for the Land Rover Defender OCTA and $2,138/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLC. That is a $1,596 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Estimated annual total: $3,734 (Land Rover Defender OCTA) vs $2,138 (Mercedes-Benz GLC). The Mercedes-Benz GLC saves you roughly $1,596 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 OCTA) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz GLC). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Land Rover Defender OCTA if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz GLC if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Land Rover Defender OCTA takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. The Mercedes-Benz GLC will save you roughly $1,596 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Land Rover Defender OCTA 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 OCTA and Mercedes-Benz GLC?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is the cheapest at $89,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Land Rover Defender OCTA by $214,600.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC uses the least fuel at 7.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Mercedes-Benz GLC 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 OCTA has the largest boot at 972L.
Which can tow the most?
The Land Rover Defender OCTA has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Land Rover Defender OCTA makes the most power at 467kW. The Land Rover Defender OCTA is quickest to 100km/h in 4s.
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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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