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Land Rover Defender vs Mercedes-Benz G-Class

2026 Land Rover Defender vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz G-Class — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Land Rover Defender

2026 Land Rover Defender

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS1 – 4Mercedes-Benz G-Class wins 4 of 5 categories
Mercedes-Benz G-Class

2026 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Land Rover Defender is more fuel-efficient: 20 vs 18 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $2,900 a year less in fuel for the Mercedes-Benz G-Class (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is the bigger car, about 11 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has had fewer recall campaigns (0 vs 18).

The two cars

The 2026 Land Rover Defender is a standard SUV offered with 4 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo and 5.0L 8-cyl), including a hybrid version and 4-wheel drive. It measures about 187 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,819 lb (110 5 Seat 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.0L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and 4-wheel drive. It measures about 182 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,479 lb (550 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Defender and the 2024 G-Class have the fewest problems in our data.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Premium Gasoline, Hybrid
Fuel
EV, Hybrid
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 5.0L 8-cyl
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo
4-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
4-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

20 MPG
Best combined MPG
18 MPG
18 city
City / highway MPG (best)
17 city
–
EV range
239 mi
$4,100
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,200

Performance & space

626 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
–
170.5 in
Length
181.9 in
79.1 in
Width
76 in
77.6 in
Height
77.6 in
4,819 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
5,479 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
–
3
Recalls (2026)
0
18
Recalls, all years since 2005
0
6
Owner complaints (latest year)
0

Interest

25,171
Wikipedia views, 30 days
40,177

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
–
Year to avoid
–

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Land Rover Defender if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (20 vs 18 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (11 in shorter)

Choose the Mercedes-Benz G-Class if…

  • You want an EV with more range (239 miles)
  • You want more room (11 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (0 vs 18 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Land Rover Defender

  • Strong performanceUp to 626 hp, versus about 493 hp for similar 2026 models.
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2026 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and electric as well as gas.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Land Rover Defender specs →Full 2026 Mercedes-Benz G-Class specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →