Mercedes-Benz GLE vs Land Rover Defender

The 2025 Defender lineup includes the 90, 110, and 130. The 90 is the short and stubby two-door, the 110 is the standard four-door, and the 130 is the extended four-door. They’re available with turbocharged four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines, as well as a turbocharged or supercharged V8. They’re all equipped for off-roading right out of the box, but you can add more tech for more challenging situations. The big news for this model year is the high-performance 2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA.

Verdict: There is a Land Rover Defender for almost anyone, and any of them can take you farther into the wilderness than you expect. They’re rugged but refined, comfortable yet capable, and plenty of fun to drive. But the Defender comes at a cost, both on the window sticker and at the pump.

Summary: G-Wagens aside, the now-discontinued M-Class is what cemented Mercedes’ place in the SUV jungle. The descendent of that pioneering model is the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, which continues as the automaker’s entry into a midsize luxury SUV segment populated by the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Genesis GV80, and Lexus RX. Mercedes also sells a GLE Coupe that competes with the BMW X6. Changes for 2025 are limited to two new configurations—a GLE 350 SUV base model and GLE 450 4Matic Coupe—and several new paint colors.

Verdict: The GLE-Class is a solid luxury SUV for families, but its competition is equally good.