Land Rover Defender OCTA vs Mercedes-Benz GLE
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
4.4L V8 Twin-Turbo Petrol Mild Hybrid
467kW
13.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
972L
Mercedes-Benz GLE
From $128,900
SUV
Diesel
195kW
7.4 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
630L
Price Breakdown
The Land Rover Defender OCTA starts from $304,500 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE opens at $128,900. That makes the Mercedes-Benz GLE the more affordable entry point by $175,600.
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 $141,790 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz GLE by roughly $8,125 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Land Rover Defender OCTA and Mercedes-Benz GLE hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 85% for the Land Rover Defender OCTA and 91% for the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
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 OCTA and 9 in the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Feature Showdown
The Land Rover Defender OCTA features a 13.1-inch touchscreen, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Land Rover Defender OCTA stands out with ventilated seats and Meridian audio that you will not find on the Mercedes-Benz GLE. The Mercedes-Benz GLE counters with head-up display and Burmester audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
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 GLE responds with a Diesel making 195kW and 500Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.
The Land Rover Defender OCTA has the clear power advantage at 467kW vs 195kW. In the real-world sprint, the Land Rover Defender OCTA is 3.3s 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, 111mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz GLE at 4,924mm (2,995mm 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 630L in the Mercedes-Benz GLE, giving the Land Rover Defender OCTA a 342L advantage. The Mercedes-Benz GLE seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz GLE leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 3,500kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.1m 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 12.1m 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 $2,109/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLE. That is a $1,625 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Estimated annual total: $3,734 (Land Rover Defender OCTA) vs $2,109 (Mercedes-Benz GLE). The Mercedes-Benz GLE saves you roughly $1,625 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 GLE). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Land Rover Defender OCTA if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz GLE 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 3 of 5 key spec categories. The Mercedes-Benz GLE will save you roughly $1,625 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 GLE?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is the cheapest at $128,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Land Rover Defender OCTA by $175,600.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE uses the least fuel at 7.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Land Rover Defender OCTA and Mercedes-Benz GLE 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.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
