2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned in 2020 and facelifted in 2024, presented a unique aesthetic that set it apart from other Mercedes-Benz SUVs. It shared some visual bulk with models like the GLS, GLC, and GLB, yet its rounded profile paid homage to previous generations and its M-Class predecessor. The GLE featured squared-off wheel arches and a horizontal grille and headlights, giving it a wide stance. However, the sharply tapering side glass, windshield, and back window created odd proportions, especially in the GLE Coupe models. Despite not being the most handsome in the Mercedes lineup, its styling adhered closely to the brand’s orthodoxy, ensuring it was unmistakably a Benz.

Inside, Mercedes offered a variety of interior colours beyond the typical black, grey, and tan. The U.S. test car's Yacht Blue interior was not available in Canada, but the GLE's interior still impressed with upscale features. Chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles for the optional Burmester audio system, and 64-colour ambient lighting transformed the cabin into a vibrant space. The interior felt special and luxurious, enhancing the overall appeal of the GLE.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender, with its rugged appeal, offered a distinct look across its variants. The Defender 90 appeared stubby, while the 130 carried excessive visual mass over its rear wheels. The 110 four-door struck a balance, representing the sweet spot in design. Despite these quirks, the Defender's rugged charm was undeniable, and Land Rover provided endless customization options for buyers. Base prices in Canada ranged from $79,050 for a 90 to $160,720 for a 130 V8, including destination charges and luxury tax. The new Defender OCTA, available only as a 110, was priced at $198,460.

Our test vehicle, a Defender 130 in X trim, featured black exterior elements, upgraded interior materials, and comprehensive off-roading technology as standard. It swapped standard 22-inch wheels for 20s with Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires. Options included the Towing Pack, Cold Climate Pack, and second-row captain’s chairs, bringing the MSRP to over $130,000. The test model, dressed in Gondwana Stone paint, lacked the new matte paint protection film. The murky brown colour clashed with the Defender X’s orange brake calipers and delicate twin-spoke wheels. Inside, the Defender X upgraded to premium Windsor hides with Kvadrat fabric, offering a choice of Ebony or Caraway colours. The interior maintained an industrial theme, focusing on quality materials and a purposeful design.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a diverse range of powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid and two AMG options. The lineup began with the GLE 350, featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a mild hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This was mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, with 4Matic all-wheel drive standard in Canada. The GLE 450 4Matic boasted a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The GLE 450e 4Matic combined a turbo-four with electric assist, offering 381 hp, 479 lb-ft, and an 80-kilometre electric range.

The AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ and AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ performance models rounded out the lineup. The AMG GLE 53 featured an enhanced inline-six powertrain, generating 429 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds. The AMG GLE 63 S, with a hand-assembled twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, produced 603 hp and 627 lb-ft, reducing the 0-100 km/h time to 3.9 seconds. The GLE 63 S Coupe, with its V8 soundtrack, transformed the SUV into a thrilling drive. Despite the impressive powertrains, the GLE felt larger than it was, even with AMG chassis upgrades. Maneuvering in tight spaces was challenging, a persistent annoyance for owners.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender offered four powertrain options, with our test vehicle featuring a turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine. This engine, paired with a mild-hybrid system, produced 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport and manual shift modes connected to a standard AWD system with a low-range setting for off-roading. The Defender 130 X, with this drivetrain, accelerated to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 3,720 kilograms.

Standard on the Defender X was an adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes. The Off-Road Pack included an electronic active differential and wade-sensing technology. The Advanced Off-Road Pack added a Configurable setting to the Terrain Response drive modes and All-Terrain Progress Control. The Defender excelled off-road, with capabilities exceeding typical driver skill levels. On pavement, the Defender 130, with its 20-inch wheels and Pirellis, handled suburban environments well. The air suspension provided a smooth ride, absorbing urban bumps and potholes. However, the Defender 130's weight and steering made it less suited for enthusiastic driving on twisty roads.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, though Mercedes did not publish third-row space specs. The GLE offered similar headroom to rivals but slightly less legroom than the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80. The high seating position provided an SUV-like feel, but outward visibility was limited. The AMG test car's heavily bolstered front seats made entry and exit challenging. Second-row passengers enjoyed slightly more space than in most competitor SUVs, with more legroom than the BMW X5, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and Lexus RX.

The GLE offered 894 litres of cargo space behind the second-row seats, competitive but less than the GV80 or MDX. With all seats folded, it provided 1,790 litres, the most among its competitors. The centre console offered reasonable small-item storage, and the GLE's maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms matched the Audi Q7, with other rivals towing at least 3,175 kilograms.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 required effort to enter and exit unless the air suspension was programmed to lower. Inside, it offered three rows of spacious seating. The front seats were 12-way power-adjustable with heating and ventilation, providing excellent comfort. The tall seating position offered outstanding forward visibility, though the square side mirrors seemed undersized. The Defender's Clearsight digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera system aided parking and rear visibility.

A panoramic sunroof and fixed glass panel over the third row created an open, airy feel. Storage space was plentiful in the front, but less accommodating further back. The heated second-row bench seat was replaced by captain’s chairs in the test vehicle, offering added comfort. The Defender 130 excelled in third-row accessibility and comfort, with heated, roomy, and supportive seats. The side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, with a high load floor. Behind the third-row seats, the Defender 130 provided 433 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,237 litres with the third row folded. Maximum cargo volume was 2,520 litres with all rear seats folded.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a pair of 12.3-inch screens, creating a continuous horizontal display. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation. Multiple access methods, including a centre console touchpad and steering wheel touchpads, could be confusing, but the voice recognition system was effective. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe test car had additional settings, including six drive modes and adjustable damper firmness, stability control, and exhaust noise. Some GLE models offered an off-road display and a “transparent hood” function for the 360-degree camera system, aiding rough terrain navigation.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system, accessed via an 11.4-inch touchscreen. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and connected services. Previously unimpressive, Pivi Pro now offered improved response and accuracy. The system excelled in voice command accuracy, though response time was slower than preferred. The user experience was more intuitive, with fewer dead ends. The Defender's Meridian premium sound system impressed, and additional features included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and surround-view camera system. The Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered numerous driver-assist features, though some were not standard. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, crosswind assist, parking assist, a driver attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. The Pre-Safe system mitigated collision effects by tightening seatbelts and closing windows. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and an expanded driver-monitoring system. The GLE received a 2025 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though front-crash prevention tech ratings were "Marginal" and "Acceptable."

The 2025 Land Rover Defender came equipped with several driver aids, including automatic high beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. A Driver Assistance Mode menu allowed customization of assistance levels. The adaptive cruise and lane centring assist operated smoothly, though adaptive cruise struggled slightly in heavy traffic. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, as NHTSA and IIHS typically do not test low-volume models.