Land Rover Defender vs Mercedes-Benz GLS (2026)
Land Rover Defender (₹1.07 Crore – ₹2.62 Crore) and Mercedes-Benz GLS (₹1.38 Crore – ₹1.43 Crore) go head-to-head in the luxury suv space. Here is how they compare on the numbers (October 2026).
- The Land Rover Defender is more affordable — it starts ₹30.50 Lakh lower than the Mercedes-Benz GLS.
- The Land Rover Defender is the more powerful car, with 626 bhp against 376 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 GLS in short
The GLS is Mercedes' full-size seven-seat SUV — the 'S-Class of SUVs' — priced from ₹1.375 crore for the petrol GLS 450 and ₹1.397 crore for the GLS 450d diesel, both 3.0L six-cylinders with 4MATIC. It is locally assembled in India, which keeps it sharply priced against the CBU BMW X7. We currently list only the two officially confirmed base prices; the trim ladder above them is under verification after aggregator listings disagreed.
Full GLS prices & variants →Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper: Defender or GLS?
The Land Rover Defender is more affordable — it starts ₹30.50 Lakh lower than the Mercedes-Benz GLS. (Ex-showroom prices, October 2026.)
Defender vs GLS — which is safer?
NCAP ratings: Land Rover Defender — not yet tested; Mercedes-Benz GLS — not yet tested.
Should I buy the Defender or the GLS?
The Land Rover Defender is more affordable — it starts ₹30.50 Lakh lower than the Mercedes-Benz GLS. The Land Rover Defender is the more powerful car, with 626 bhp against 376 bhp. Beyond the numbers, shortlist by test-driving both — ride quality and dealer experience differ by city.