Land Rover Defender OCTA 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.
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 GLS-Class
From $199,900
SUV
Petrol
270kW
10.5 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
680L
Price Breakdown
The Land Rover Defender OCTA starts from $304,500 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class opens at $199,900. That makes the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class the more affordable entry point by $104,600.
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 $219,890 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class by roughly $3,705 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Land Rover Defender OCTA and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
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 GLS-Class.
Feature Showdown
The Land Rover Defender OCTA features a 13.1-inch touchscreen, while the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class gets a 12.3-inch display. 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 GLS-Class. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class 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 GLS-Class responds with a Petrol making 270kW and 500Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds.
The Land Rover Defender OCTA has the clear power advantage at 467kW vs 270kW. In the real-world sprint, the Land Rover Defender OCTA is 1.9s 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, 394mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class at 5,207mm (3,135mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 972L in the Land Rover Defender OCTA and 680L in the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, giving the Land Rover Defender OCTA a 292L advantage. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class 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.
12.8m 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 12.8m 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 $2,993/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. That is a $741 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.
Estimated annual total: $3,734 (Land Rover Defender OCTA) vs $2,993 (Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class). The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class saves you roughly $741 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 GLS-Class). 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 GLS-Class 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 GLS-Class will save you roughly $741 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.
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.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 20 April 2026
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