2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was a vehicle that, while adequate in appearance, did not quite capture the stunning aesthetics of its sedan and sports car siblings. Its exterior design, reminiscent of a rushed assignment, featured an aggressive nose and sloping hood that promised more than it delivered past the A-pillar. Despite efforts to overcome its minivan-like tendencies with flat taillights and a contoured rear, the GLE struggled to match the pitch-perfect proportions of competitors like BMW and Audi. In AMG trim, the GLE attempted a sporty look but fell short when compared to rivals such as the BMW X5 M and Porsche Cayenne Turbo. However, the interior of the GLE was a different story, offering a masterpiece of quality, layout, and textures. The redesigned interior for 2021 was more streamlined and cohesive, with a bold red and black colour scheme that exuded luxury. The use of materials like wood, metal, leather, and suede created a tactile delight, although some controls felt flimsy. Overall, the GLE's interior provided a sense of pampering, albeit at a high price point.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive exterior styling, with a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood that paid homage to its predecessors. Despite these retro callbacks, the Defender's design was thoroughly modern, with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The larger size of the modern Defender translated into increased interior space and improved ergonomics. While the original Defender was known for its simplicity, it was also cramped, with an upright driving position. The 2022 model offered more generous headroom and legroom, along with a comfortable driving position that maintained good visibility. The interior design emphasized the Defender's rugged character, with bare metal and exposed screws adding to its charm. The mix of leather and suede upholstery in the high-end Defender 90 V8 test car suggested durability, making it suitable for off-road adventures without fear of ruining the interior.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled as a multi-purpose vehicle, boasting a complex suspension and engine setup. With five suspension configurations, the GLE offered a range of options, from the reliable coil-sprung setup of the base GLE 350 to the advanced AIRMATIC system on the GLE 450, which featured self-leveling air springs and adaptive dampers. The AMG Ride Control+ and E-Active Body Control systems further enhanced the GLE's performance, allowing it to lean into turns and even bounce to free itself from sand. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe featured an electric supercharger for instant throttle response, while the hybrid EQ Boost system provided additional power and seamless engine start-stop functionality. Despite these innovations, the GLE's fuel efficiency was average, with the AMG GLE 53 Coupe averaging 14.7 litres per 100 kilometres. The GLE's all-wheel-drive system was standard across all models, with horsepower ranging from 255 hp in the GLE 350 to 450 hp in the AMG GLE 63 S. The GLE's driving experience was exceptional, with impressive towing capacity and ride quality.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 hp, a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain with 395 hp, and a new-for-2022 V8 engine producing 518 hp. The V8 engine delivered exhilarating performance, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. V8 models also featured an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Defender was comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps and minimized noise from the 22-inch tires. The Defender's off-road prowess was supported by a 4WD system with low range, good approach and departure angles, and ample ground clearance. The optional Terrain Response 2 system and All-Terrain Progress Control further enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Defender's towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms was competitive for its class.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious interior, with most models configured as two-row SUVs. An optional third row allowed for seating up to seven, with power controls for second-row passengers. The Coupe body style accommodated five passengers, though the middle seat was less comfortable. Cargo capacity varied, with 630 litres behind the second row and 2,055 litres with all rows folded in the SUV, while the Coupe offered 655 litres and 1,790 litres, respectively. The sloping roofline and large rear tires of the Coupe impacted rear passenger space and door openings. The GLE's usability was enhanced by the MBUX infotainment system, which replaced the previous rotary/touchpad combo with a single touchpad and simplified interface. Seat controls, suspension settings, and driving mode shortcuts were easily accessible, though some steering wheel controls were less intuitive.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, providing surprising comfort in the Defender 90 test vehicle. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model was challenging, but they offered usable space and could be folded for additional cargo capacity. The four-door Defender 110 model offered more versatility, with two-row and three-row configurations. Cargo space ranged from 160 litres with all seats in place to 1,875 litres with the rear seats folded in two-row versions. The Defender's interior design emphasized functionality, with a shelf-mounted shifter and climate-control knobs, a large centre-console storage bin, and optional refrigeration. The Defender also offered optional exterior cargo solutions, such as a basket-style roof rack and side-mounted cargo boxes.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant, allowing for gesture-based shortcuts. The system could be controlled via a touchpad or thumbpad, with a user-friendly interface that included search bars and larger type. AMG models offered a Track Pace app for lap timing and a Seat Kinetics feature for seat adjustments. Additional features included a head-up display, ambient lighting with 64 colours, and navigation with augmented reality. The GLE also supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a natural voice assistant that responded to "Mercedes" and learned new commands. The semi-automated functionality included lane changes and curve slowing, while the GLE's electronic features were extensive and well-executed.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came standard with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all but the base model, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available for 2022. The user interface was well-designed, with easy-to-navigate graphics and a distinctive colour palette. However, the touchscreen required a firm touch to respond. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features including a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display. The Defender's technology package was comprehensive, with features that enhanced both on-road and off-road experiences.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE earned top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Safety features included blind-spot monitoring, driver attention monitor, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and evasive steering assist. The GLE also offered semi-automated control, Pre-Safe Sound, and Pre-Safe Impulse Side for enhanced protection. The brakes and stability control systems were designed to respond to sudden inputs and crosswinds, ensuring a safe driving experience.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features such as lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. While the Defender lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, this was not uncommon for luxury vehicles. The Defender's safety features were competitive within its class, though some non-luxury brands offered more standard equipment.