2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic design, with no major exterior changes, maintaining its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood that harkened back to the original version and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these retro elements, the Defender was a thoroughly modern vehicle, featuring rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The modern Defender was significantly larger than its predecessor, offering more interior space and better ergonomics. The interior design emphasized the Defender’s rugged character, with a mix of leather and suede upholstery, bare metal, and exposed screws, creating a look that was both practical and stylish.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe presented a more contemporary and athletic design. The Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork gave it a sleek appearance, reminiscent of an athletic sneaker. Inside, the GLE Coupe was luxurious, with high-end materials and a high-tech appearance, thanks to its dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment design. The cabin featured Nappa premium leather, a Dinamica simulated suede headliner, and brushed aluminum trim, creating a sophisticated and comfortable environment. Ambient lighting added to the driving experience, making the GLE Coupe a pleasure to drive at night.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain rated at 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. For those seeking more power, the new-for-2022 V8 engine delivered 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 240 km/h. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The Defender excelled in off-road conditions, with features like a 4WD system with low range, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 29 centimetres of ground clearance with the optional air suspension.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6 engine, producing 429 hp at 6,100 rpm and 384 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 rpm to 5,800 rpm. The engine featured EQ Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that added extra power when needed and helped conserve fuel. The GLE Coupe boasted a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and an AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system with fully variable torque distribution. The AMG Dynamic Select system offered multiple driving modes, and the SUV featured an adaptive damping control air suspension. The GLE Coupe was nimble and composed in urban settings, with a speed-sensitive variable-ratio power steering system and a tight turning radius. In Sport+ mode, the GLE Coupe demonstrated impressive performance on challenging roads, with excellent grip and braking capabilities.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatility with its seating configurations. The two-door Defender 90 featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were comfortable but challenging to access, with limited cargo space. The four-door Defender 110 model provided more options, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Cargo space varied, with up to 1,875 litres available in two-row versions. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space, a spacious centre-console storage bin, and optional roof racks and cargo boxes for additional storage.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe accommodated up to five people, though it was more comfortable for four adults. The sport-bolstered, multi-contour front seats offered numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The back seat provided ample room for adult passengers, and the cargo hold offered 655 litres of space, expanding to 1,790 litres with the second-row seats folded. The GLE Coupe featured comfort upgrades like a four-zone automatic climate control system, heated armrests, and an Air Balance in-cabin fragrance system, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with the standard 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 trims except the base model, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The user interface was well-designed, with easy-to-navigate graphics and menu layouts. The Defender also offered a surround-view camera system, a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, and a head-up display as optional features.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, with dual 12.3-inch screens under a single piece of glass. Standard features included a navigation system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mercedes Me connected services. The MBUX system was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition technology and multiple interaction methods. Optional features included a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and an upgraded Burmester 3D high-end surround-sound system.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered standard driver-assist technologies, including lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. However, the Defender lacked safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which was not uncommon for luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe came equipped with numerous safety features, such as forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Intelligent Drive Package added 13 additional driver assistance and collision avoidance systems. The GLE Coupe's safety systems were refined and accurate, with features like Active Lane Change Assist and Active Emergency Stop Assist. While crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.