Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vs Land Rover Defender OCTA
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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.
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
From $239,900
Convertible
Petrol
220kW
9 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
213L
Land Rover Defender OCTA
From $304,500
SUV
4.4L V8 Twin-Turbo Petrol Mild Hybrid
467kW
13.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
972L
Price Breakdown
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class starts from $239,900 before on-road costs, while the Land Rover Defender OCTA opens at $304,500. That makes the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class the more affordable entry point by $64,600.
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 $263,890 and $334,950 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class by roughly $5,845 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and Land Rover Defender OCTA hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Land Rover Defender OCTA packs more ADAS features with 7 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 6 in the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 9 in the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and 6 in the Land Rover Defender OCTA. The Land Rover Defender OCTA adds a 360-degree camera that the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class misses.
Feature Showdown
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class features a 11.9-inch touchscreen, while the Land Rover Defender OCTA gets a 13.1-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class stands out with head-up display and Burmester audio that you will not find on the Land Rover Defender OCTA. The Land Rover Defender OCTA counters with ventilated seats, power tailgate and Meridian audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class uses a Petrol producing 220kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.1 seconds.
The Land Rover Defender OCTA responds with a 4.4L V8 Twin-Turbo Petrol Mild Hybrid making 467kW and 750Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 4 seconds.
The Land Rover Defender OCTA has the clear power advantage at 467kW vs 220kW. In the real-world sprint, the Land Rover Defender OCTA is 1.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class measures 4,705mm long on a 2,700mm wheelbase, 108mm shorter than the Land Rover Defender OCTA at 4,813mm (3,023mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Land Rover Defender OCTA generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 213L in the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and 972L in the Land Rover Defender OCTA, giving the Land Rover Defender OCTA a 759L advantage. The Land Rover Defender OCTA seats 5 vs 2.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.6m to 12.8m
Based on 11.6m 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 $2,565/year for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and $3,734/year for the Land Rover Defender OCTA. That is a $1,169 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
Estimated annual total: $2,565 (Mercedes-Benz SL-Class) vs $3,734 (Land Rover Defender OCTA). The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class saves you roughly $1,169 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz SL-Class) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Defender OCTA). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
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.
The Verdict
The Land Rover Defender OCTA takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class will save you roughly $1,169 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, Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and Land Rover Defender OCTA?
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is the cheapest at $239,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Land Rover Defender OCTA by $64,600.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class uses the least fuel at 9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and Land Rover Defender OCTA 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
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