Compare the2024 Land Rover DefenderVS 2024 Mercedes GLC

Both the Defender 110/130 and GLC have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Defender has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The GLC’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Defender. But it costs extra on the GLC.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Defender’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The GLC doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Defender’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLC.

Both the Defender and the GLC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Defender’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the GLC’s (6 vs. 5 years).

The Defender P300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 41 more horsepower (296 vs. 255) than the GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Defender 130 P300’s standard 3.0 turbo/supercharged 6-cylinder hybrid produces 41 more horsepower (296 vs. 255) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (347 vs. 295) than the GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Defender P400’s standard 3.0 turbo/supercharged 6-cylinder hybrid produces 140 more horsepower (395 vs. 255) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 295) than the GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Defender P500’s standard 5.0 supercharged V8 produces 238 more horsepower (493 vs. 255) and 166 lbs.-ft. more torque (461 vs. 295) than the GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Defender P525’s standard 5.0 supercharged V8 produces 263 more horsepower (518 vs. 255) and 166 lbs.-ft. more torque (461 vs. 295) than the GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Defender P525 5.0 supercharged V8 is faster than the Mercedes GLC:

The Defender 90’s standard fuel tank has 6 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLC (23.4 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Defender 110/130’s standard fuel tank has 6.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLC (23.8 vs. 17.4 gallons).

For better stopping power the Defender’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GLC:

For better traction, the Defender has larger standard tires than the GLC (255/70R18 vs. 235/60R18). The Defender’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GLC (285/65R18 vs. 255/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Defender offers optional 22-inch wheels. The GLC’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Defender has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the GLC; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Defender offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The GLC’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Defender 110’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the GLC (119 inches vs. 113.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Defender is 3 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GLC.

For better maneuverability, the Defender 90’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the GLC’s (38 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Defender 130 has standard seating for 8 passengers; the GLC can only carry 5. The Defender 90 offers optional seating for 6.

The Defender 110 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GLC with its rear seat folded (78.8 vs. 56.3 cubic feet).

The Defender 90’s cargo area provides more volume than the GLC.

The Defender 110’s cargo area provides more volume than the GLC.

The Defender 130’s cargo area provides more volume than the GLC.

The Defender’s cargo area is larger than the GLC’s in almost every dimension:

The Defender’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the GLC’s (7716 vs. 5291 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mercedes GLC is only 5291 pounds. The Defender offers up to a 8201 lbs. towing capacity.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Defender to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The GLC doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Defender has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the GLC only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Defender offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The GLC doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Optional air conditioned front and second row seats keep the Defender’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The GLC doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Defender has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the GLC.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Defender second among large premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The GLC isn’t in the top three.

Motor Trend selected the Defender as their 2021 Sport Utility of the Year. The GLC was Sport Utility of the Year in 2017.