2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the SUV market, outselling its sibling, the Land Rover Discovery, by a significant margin. Despite being similar in size and price, the Defender's boxy, classic Land Rover design appealed to customers who favored its rugged aesthetic over the Discovery's more conventional look. The Defender's design was a nod to its heritage, with its square-jawed face, rectangular hood, and doors, all contributing to its classic truck appearance. The vehicle's design was further enhanced by tasteful accents reminiscent of the original 1980s Defender, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and the body-color square separating the side glass. The Defender was available in three body styles—90, 110, and 130—offering a range of options for consumers seeking a versatile SUV.

In contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC took a more conservative approach with its redesign, maintaining a familiar look to avoid alienating its loyal fanbase. The GLC featured subtle updates, such as new taillights and repositioned door handles, while retaining its signature grille design. The Coupe variant continued to distinguish itself with a steeply sloping profile and fastback roof. Inside, the GLC's interior was luxurious and gadget-heavy, with a focus on comfort and technology. The AMG models featured additional controls on the steering wheel and a more performance-oriented grille design. Overall, the GLC's design was understated yet sophisticated, appealing to those who appreciated a blend of luxury and practicality.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was renowned for its off-road prowess, with features like permanent four-wheel drive and the Terrain Response 2 system, which adapted the vehicle's powertrain and chassis to various surfaces. The Defender's engine lineup included a turbocharged inline-six and a supercharged V8, with the latter delivering an impressive 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The V8 engine provided the Defender with remarkable acceleration, comparable to a V8 Jaguar F-Type, although it was noted for its excessive body roll and wind noise on the road. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, providing a balance of performance and fuel efficiency. The base turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, was deemed less suitable for highway speeds.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 43, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from AMG, producing 416 horsepower, surpassing the previous generation's 385 hp twin-turbocharged V6. The GLC 43's engine was complemented by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, enhancing its performance. The base GLC 300 variant offered 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, which, while not low, paled in comparison to the GLC 43's 416 hp. Both powertrains utilized a nine-speed automatic transmission, with the GLC 43 featuring the AMG Speedshift MCT 9-speed, known for its responsiveness and ability to handle more torque. However, the performance suspension and rougher shifts made the GLC 43 less suitable for those seeking a comfortable commuter vehicle. The GLC 43's sporty nature was appreciated by those who valued performance, even without a V8 engine.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was celebrated for its versatility and exceptional off-road capabilities, making it a standout choice for those seeking a rugged and functional SUV. The Defender offered unmatched seating configurations, with the ability to seat up to eight passengers in the 130 model, which featured a standard third row with additional amenities like a separate moonroof, air vents, and USB ports. The Defender's cargo space was also impressive, with the 130 model providing 77 cubic feet of cargo space with the third and second rows folded. The vehicle's design included large glass areas, alpine lights, and optional features like a console refrigerator, heated windshield, and power-deployable side steps, enhancing its practicality and appeal to adventure enthusiasts.

In contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC's cabin was designed with a driver-centric focus, featuring a portrait-oriented touchscreen and a plethora of buttons and controls, particularly in the AMG models. The front seats offered standard heat and memory functions, with optional ventilation available. The GLC 300 SUV provided 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 59.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The GLC Coupe, with its sloping roofline, offered slightly less cargo space, with 17.6 cubic feet available with the rear seats in place and 52.6 cubic feet when folded. The GLC's interior was noted for its sumptuous design, with options for two-tone leather upholstery and a wood-and-metal dash treatment, making it a class-leading choice for those who value luxury and technology.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was equipped with two touchscreen infotainment systems running the Pivi Pro software, known for its reliability and user-friendly interface. The standard 10-inch screen offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, connected apps, and navigation. The Defender S trim added heated 12-way power seats with leather and a Meridian stereo, while the X trim included air suspension, a locking rear differential, and an upgraded Terrain Response 2 system. The Defender's technology package also featured a head-up display, a rearview mirror with a camera display, and a cabin air purifier.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC boasted a portrait-oriented, tablet-style 11.9-inch center touchscreen running the third-generation MBUX infotainment system. This system included a highly functional voice command system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 15-speaker Burmester 3D surround sound system in the Exclusive trim. The GLC's technology package also featured a "Transparent Hood" feature, which displayed a camera feed of the ground beneath the engine bay at slow speeds. The GLC's infotainment system was praised for its usability and functionality, making it a standout feature in the luxury crossover segment.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP for its solid structure, although it had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations. Standard safety features included lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel with full-screen maps, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system with a "clear" view under the front wheels. However, the Defender did not offer a self-steering highway assist feature.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC received the highest honor from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), earning a five-star rating. The standard front crash-prevention system received an "Acceptable" rating, while the optional upgraded version earned a "Good" score. Standard safety features included active brake assist, attention assist, blind-spot and exit warning assist, adaptive braking technology, and active parking assist. The Pre-Safe pre-collision system was also standard, providing additional safety measures in the event of an imminent crash. Optional advanced driver-assistance systems were available through the $1,950 Driver Assistance Package, which included features like adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping assist.