Land Rover Defender vs Mercedes-Benz GLE (2026)
Land Rover Defender (₹1.07 Crore – ₹2.62 Crore) and Mercedes-Benz GLE (₹1.00 Crore – ₹1.52 Crore) go head-to-head in the luxury suv space. Here is how they compare on the numbers (October 2026).
- The Mercedes-Benz GLE is more affordable — it starts ₹7.00 Lakh lower than the Land Rover Defender.
- The Land Rover Defender is the more powerful car, with 626 bhp against 443 bhp.
Specification Comparison
Shortlisting a third car? See the full three-way comparison →
Land Rover Defender in short
The Defender is Land Rover's icon and its widest Indian range: three body lengths (three-door 90, five-door 110, eight-seat 130) and four engines spanning ₹1.07 crore for the 2.0 petrol 110 X-Dynamic HSE to ₹2.62 crore for the 635 PS OCTA Black — the most extreme Defender ever made. In between sit the 350 PS D350 diesel, the 5.0L V8 across all three bodies, and the twin-turbo 4.4L V8 OCTA flagship. All prices are from Land Rover India's official July 2026 pan-India price list. Its only real rival in capability-plus-status terms is the Mercedes G-Class, at roughly double the entry money.
Full Defender prices & variants →Mercedes-Benz GLE in short
The GLE is Mercedes' large luxury SUV for India, running from ₹1.00 crore for the 300d AMG Line to ₹1.52 crore for the 449 PS AMG GLE 53 Coupé. In between sit six-cylinder petrol (450) and diesel (450d) variants plus Night Edition trims, all with 4MATIC and a 630-litre boot. India-spec cars are five-seaters. It competes with the BMW X5 and Audi Q7 — the Q7 counters with seven seats, the GLE with its engine breadth.
Full GLE prices & variants →Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper: Defender or GLE?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is more affordable — it starts ₹7.00 Lakh lower than the Land Rover Defender. (Ex-showroom prices, October 2026.)
Defender vs GLE — which is safer?
NCAP ratings: Land Rover Defender — not yet tested; Mercedes-Benz GLE — not yet tested.
Should I buy the Defender or the GLE?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is more affordable — it starts ₹7.00 Lakh lower than the Land Rover Defender. The Land Rover Defender is the more powerful car, with 626 bhp against 443 bhp. Beyond the numbers, shortlist by test-driving both — ride quality and dealer experience differ by city.