2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS exuded a refined elegance that, while bordering on understated, promised timeless appeal. The GLS 450 test vehicle featured striking 22-inch AMG rims, a new silver four-louver grille, and polished metal accents, all complemented by a lustrous Twilight Blue paint. Inside, the GLS 450 boasted a sophisticated Bahia Brown over Black interior with natural-grain Grey Oak trim, polished aluminum accents, and the rich detailing synonymous with Mercedes interiors. The cabin was a sanctuary of comfort, enhanced by leather upholstery, wood trim, and an Acoustic Comfort Package.

In contrast, the 2025 Land Rover Defender presented a rugged charm with its distinctive design. The Defender 110 was the sweet spot, offering a balanced aesthetic, while the Defender 130 test vehicle in X trim featured the Extended Black Exterior Pack and upgraded interior materials. The test vehicle's Gondwana Stone paint, however, clashed with the orange brake calipers and delicate twin-spoke wheels. Inside, the Defender X upgraded to premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, maintaining an industrial theme with quality materials. The cabin was purposeful, with a focus on functionality over luxury.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 delivered a smooth and powerful performance with its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, producing 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system added an instant 148 lb-ft of torque, making the GLS 450 lively from a stop. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, with a nine-speed automatic transmission and variable 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. The GLS 450 offered Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds and a combined fuel economy rating of 21 mpg. The adaptive air suspension and massive Continental tires contributed to its athleticism, while the brakes provided smooth stops.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 X featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport and manual shift modes connected to a standard AWD system with a low-range setting for off-roading. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, with a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. The adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced its off-road capabilities. However, the 20-inch wheels and Pirelli tires limited its on-road agility, and the Defender's 5,685-pound curb weight affected its handling on twisty roads.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a luxurious interior with supple leather surfaces, heating and ventilation, and massage programs for the front seats. The new steering wheel was a delight to grip, though its touch-sensing controls could be irritating. The second-row captain’s chairs provided excellent thigh support, and the GLS featured expansive second-row legroom and a panoramic sunroof. However, accessing the third-row seat was cumbersome, and space was snug for adults. Cargo space was practical, with 17.4 cubic feet behind the third row, 42.7 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 84.7 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered spacious seating across three rows, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. The Defender's tall seating and large windows provided an open and airy feel, though the square side mirrors seemed undersized. The test vehicle had a Clearsight digital rearview mirror and a surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility. The Defender 130 excelled in third-row seat accessibility and comfort, with a heated and roomy third row. Cargo space was limited to 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 89 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS featured the latest MBUX infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system offered improved graphics and themes, though touch-sensitive areas on the steering wheel and center console could cause confusion. Despite this, MBUX was intuitive, with outstanding natural voice recognition and augmented reality for navigation. The standard Burmester surround-sound system with Dolby Atmos technology provided impressive audio quality.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender was equipped with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, accessible via an 11.4-inch touchscreen. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and connected services. Pivi Pro's response to voice commands was slower than preferred, but its accuracy was outstanding. The user experience was more intuitive, with easy programming of favorite radio stations. The Defender's Meridian premium sound system was impressive, and the test vehicle featured a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with over 20 significant safety features, adjustable through MBUX. The advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) were praised for their subtle and smooth operation, with effective forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist systems. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist handled various driving conditions with ease, providing a transparent and aggravation-free experience.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender was equipped with several driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. The lane-keep assist decisively corrected potential lane departures, though it occasionally attempted to steer the Defender into a turnout area. The adaptive cruise and lane-centering assist operated transparently, though the adaptive cruise struggled slightly in heavy traffic. Crash-test ratings for the Defender were unavailable.