2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, despite being in its second generation since 2014, continued to impress with its luxurious and modern design. The 2018 refresh, which carried over into 2021, introduced a dual-screen center console that became a hallmark of Land Rover interiors. This model offered a variety of trims, from the base SE with leather upholstery and a dual-screen infotainment system, to the high-performance SVR Carbon Edition with carbon fiber accents and a powerful V8 engine. The Range Rover Sport was known for its blend of luxury and performance, with features like quad-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and a 19-speaker Meridian sound system available in higher trims.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, or G-Wagen, was a symbol of rugged luxury. Its boxy, retro design was a nod to its military origins, yet it was embraced by the elite as a status symbol. The G-Class featured a distinctive two-box design with straight body lines, setting it apart from other Mercedes-Benz models. Inside, the G-Class offered a sophisticated cabin with a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment screen and a matching virtual instrument panel. The interior was customizable, allowing owners to coordinate colors with ambient lighting, creating a personalized atmosphere. Despite its luxurious appeal, the G-Class remained a capable off-road vehicle, embodying both style and substance.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrain options to suit different driving preferences. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, available in the SE and SE Silver Edition, combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured a more powerful P400 version, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking eco-friendliness, the HSE Silver Edition offered a plug-in hybrid powertrain, the P400e, which combined a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with electric assist, generating 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The Range Rover Sport also offered a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 with 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims boasted a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine, producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while the SVR and SVR Carbon Edition models took it up a notch with 575 hp and 516 lb-ft. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, with a height-adjustable air suspension and Terrain Response system for various terrains. The Range Rover Sport excelled both on and off the road, with impressive towing capabilities of up to 7,716 pounds, except for the SVR, which could tow 6,613 pounds.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, particularly the G550 model, was a powerhouse with its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, producing 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. Despite its hefty curb weight of 5,551 pounds, the G550 was surprisingly quick, reaching 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and permanent four-wheel drive. The G-Class offered Dynamic Select driving programs, including "G-mode" for off-roading, enhancing throttle, transmission, and steering response. The G550's suspension system, with double-wishbone independent front suspension and a rigid rear axle, provided a smooth ride on pavement while maintaining off-road capability. The G550's off-road prowess was further supported by its approach, departure, and breakover angles, as well as its compact turning circle of 44.6 feet. For those seeking more power, the Mercedes-AMG G63 offered a tuned-up V8 engine with 577 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. However, the G-Class's fuel economy was less impressive, with ratings of 13 mpg city/19 mpg highway/18 mpg combined for the G550 and 13/16/14 for the G63.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a versatile interior with a maximum cargo capacity of 63.7 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded. With the second row in use, it provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space. An optional third row of seating increased the seating capacity from five to seven, though it reduced cargo space to 10.8 cubic feet. While the cargo figures were adequate for road trips or extra bags, there were more spacious options available. The first and second rows provided ample headroom and legroom, ensuring comfort and luxury. However, the optional third row was tight and best suited for children.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, particularly the G550, was both luxurious and practical. It offered 38.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 68.6 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. The G550 had a payload capacity of just over 1,000 pounds and could tow up to 7,700 pounds, thanks to its body-on-frame construction. The front cabin was spacious, with comfortable seats and ample storage options. The tall roofline provided excellent headroom in both the front and second rows, creating an airy feel. The second row accommodated three adults comfortably, with ample legroom and a reclining seatback. However, some luxury features, like ventilated front seats, were only available as part of expensive packages. The G550's spare tire was mounted on the outside of the tailgate, adding to its distinctive styling.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's interior was defined by its dual-screen center console. The lower screen controlled climate settings and vehicle functions, while the upper screen housed the infotainment system. Although the system had a learning curve and some bugs in earlier models, it featured integrated dials for controlling various functions, including fan speed, temperature, and off-road settings. The upper touchscreen offered reasonably sized icons for easy navigation between menus, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite its quirks, the infotainment system was functional, though not the best on the market.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class impressed with its twin 12.3-inch HD screens for the instrument panel and infotainment system. These screens were customizable, allowing drivers to adjust layout, content, and color to match the ambient lighting, creating an immersive experience. The infotainment system ran the latest version of Mercedes-Benz's COMAND system, with unique Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel for intuitive control. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, and the G550 came with multiple USB and 12-volt outlets. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mercedes me connect services. However, wireless device charging was not available.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with standard driver assistance features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. However, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were optional extras. Additional available features included a surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, and park assist. A head-up display was also available.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class prioritized safety with its rugged body-on-frame construction and standard safety systems. These included a rearview camera, Pre-Safe, traffic-sign assist, attention assist, active lane-keeping assist, active brake assist, adaptive cruise control, active parking assist, and blind-spot monitoring. However, the active lane-keeping assist could be abrupt and required careful understanding. The G-Class had not been rated for crash-worthiness by the IIHS or NHTSA.