2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE exhibited subtle yet impactful aesthetic changes. The headlights and taillights were sharper, and black fender flares adorned the wheel arches. The grille featured chrome inserts, adding a touch of elegance. The optional AMG Line package enhanced the sportiness of the exterior, complemented by standard 19-inch wheels, with an option to upgrade to 21-inch wheels. The GLE coupe, available only in the Mercedes-AMG guise, offered a sleek design with reduced interior space. Inside, the cabin maintained the classic Mercedes-Benz feel, with leather and soft-touch surfaces. The open-pore walnut trim was visually appealing, though the Bahia Brown seating surfaces in the test model created a dated look. Opting for lighter leather could remedy this design choice.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender combined a traditional boxy profile with modern features like angular headlights, linking it visually to other Land Rover models. The interior, however, was more rugged and adventure-ready, akin to a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, but with more soft-touch materials. Offered in three body styles—two-door 90, four-door 110, and extended-wheelbase four-door 130—the Defender came in various trims, including S, X-Dynamic SE, X, Carpathian Edition, and Outbound. The Defender 110 S, the most popular configuration, featured the County visual package with white wheels and vintage graphics, embracing a retro aesthetic. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable and heated front seats, partial leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic glass roof, and a 10-speaker Meridian sound system. Higher trims offered additional features like ventilated seats, digital rearview mirrors, and premium upholstery options.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, starting with the entry-level GLE 350, which produced 255 horsepower. The mid-line GLE 450 featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, while the top-tier GLE 580 boasted a 4.0-liter V8. All models were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The test vehicle, however, was the new 450e plug-in hybrid, which combined a 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, delivering 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque in hybrid mode. Despite its power, the 450e was about half a second slower to 60 mph than the GLE 450 due to the weight of its 23.3-kWh battery. The battery allowed for an impressive 48 miles of all-electric range, with the test model even showing 55 miles after charging. The 450e defaulted to all-electric mode on startup, with options for Hybrid and Battery Hold modes. The switch from electric to gas was seamless, though the Sport mode did little to enhance driving dynamics. The 450e featured an 11-kW onboard charger and could accept a 60-kW DC fast charge.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered several powertrains, starting with the P300 turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options, the P500 and P525, produced 493 hp and 518 hp, respectively. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender could tow up to 7,716 pounds with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder engines, while the four-cylinder version could tow up to 5,500 pounds. The most powerful V8 in the Defender 110 Carpathian Edition accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. The Defender excelled off-road, with features like adaptive air suspension, Terrain Response 2, and all-terrain progress control. The P400 test model provided ample power for highway driving, though there was a slight lurch at low speeds, likely due to off-road gearing.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e compensated for its lackluster driving dynamics with luxurious interior features. Standard heated front seats were enhanced with ventilation and massage functions in the test model. Heated and cooled cup holders, customizable ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and soft-close doors contributed to a serene cabin experience. The Burmester stereo system further elevated the ride quality. However, the non-extending sun visors were a notable omission in this luxury SUV. The GLE-Class could tow 7,700 pounds and featured Trailer Maneuvering Assist technology. Cargo space was generous, with 31.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a blend of luxury and practicality, with soft-touch materials, grip handles, rubberized floors, and ample cargo compartments. The multifunctional climate control dials required an extra button press to switch between temperature and fan speed adjustments. Seating capacity varied from five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 110 offered an optional third row, best suited for children, while the Defender 130 provided three seats in the third row, though space was limited. Cargo capacity varied by model, with the Defender 130 offering 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 35.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and 76.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Defender 110 provided 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet with the first row folded. The two-door Defender 90 offered 15.6 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 58.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and the latest MBUX infotainment system, though the 12.3-inch screen was smaller than those in other Mercedes models. The menu structure was user-friendly, with a touchpad on the center console and voice control via "Hey, Mercedes." The available augmented reality navigation system provided helpful overlays on the screen. An off-road page in the MBUX system offered information like altitude, latitude, and tire pressure. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though connectivity issues were noted with the iPhone. Multiple USB-C ports provided up to 100W of power.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. While smaller than some competitors, the screen was simple and aligned with the Defender's utilitarian nature. Standard features included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup and home buttons on the screen's rails facilitated easy navigation of features like Apple CarPlay.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered numerous advanced driver aids, with blind-spot monitoring as standard. The optional Driver Assistance Package Plus added active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, and lane-change assist, though it increased the price by nearly $2,000. The GLE received a five-star side crash rating and a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the GLE top scores in crashworthiness, crash avoidance, and seat belts, with an "Acceptable" headlight rating for models with the Digital Light package.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender included a comprehensive list of standard driver assistance features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety tech included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist were overly sensitive, but could be deactivated. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.