Comparator
Land Rover Defender vs Mercedes-Benz GLE — Side by side
Detailed face-off between the Land Rover Defender and the Mercedes-Benz GLE: price, full specs, equipment, pros and watch-outs. Updated 2026.
At a glance
The Land Rover Defender is 5% cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz GLE (MAD 1,190,000 vs MAD 1,249,000).
Editorial verdict
Which should you pick?
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Spec sheet comparison
| — | Land Rover Defender | Mercedes-Benz GLE |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Land Rover | Mercedes-Benz |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Fuel | Diesel | Hybrid |
| Gearbox | Automatic | Automatic |
| Power | 300 ch | 612 ch |
| Consumption | 8.6 L/100 km | 7.5 L/100 km |
| Year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Entry price | MAD 1,190,000 | MAD 1,249,000 |
| Top trim price | MAD 1,690,000 | MAD 1,749,000 |
Pros and watch-outs
Land Rover Defender
Pros
- 900 mm wading depth — segment record for raid SUVs
- D7x aluminium platform — rigid + lightweight + corrosion-resistant
- Adjustable air suspension + optional front + rear diff lockers
- Premium tactile cabin + 11.4" Pivi Pro screen — successful luxury + raid fusion
- Defender 90 (3-door) or 110 (5/7-seat) configuration — flexibility
Watch-outs
- 1,190,000 MAD entry price — high barrier, V8 reaches 1,690k
- Perceived electronic reliability below Land Cruiser 300
- Limited Premium Maroc network — 2 main dealerships (Casa, Rabat)
Mercedes-Benz GLE
Pros
- PHEV 400 e 109 km EV WLTP — longest EV range in MA premium D-SUV (ties X5 50e)
- Standard 4MATIC AWD all versions (vs Q7 optional quattro, X5 smart xDrive)
- AMG GLE 53 Hybrid 612 hp / 0-100 in 4.1 s — more powerful than X5 M60i V8 (530 hp / 4.3 s)
- MBUX Hyperscreen 56'' AR + Burmester 4D + Energizing seats — Mercedes luxury par excellence
- Mercedes ~62% 3-year resale — best in MA premium D-SUV segment
Watch-outs
- 1,249k MAD entry price — 50k above X5, 220k above Q7
- GLE 300 d diesel TVM vignette ~11,000 MAD/year (13 fiscal HP diesel)
- 3rd row 7 seats less spacious than Q7 (GLE 4.93 m vs Q7 5.05 m — Q7 +127 mm cargo)
Go further
Land Rover Defender
Mercedes-Benz GLE
Frequently asked — Land Rover Defender vs Mercedes-Benz GLE
Land Rover Defender or Mercedes-Benz GLE: which to pick in Morocco 2026?
It depends on your profile. If your top criterion is entry price, look at the Land Rover Defender (entry MAD 1,190,000). If you prioritise the engine or standard equipment, compare the spec sheet above line by line. For purely urban use in Morocco, fuel consumption and exterior size matter more than power; for long Casa-Tanger or Casa-Marrakech trips, power and motorway comfort become decisive.
What's the price gap between the Land Rover Defender and the Mercedes-Benz GLE?
The Land Rover Defender starts at MAD 1,190,000 versus MAD 1,249,000 for the Mercedes-Benz GLE, a 5% gap at entry. On top trims, the gap may close or invert — check each model's detailed page for the exact figure on the trim you're considering.
Which one holds value better when sold used?
In Morocco, Japanese and German C-SUVs (Toyota RAV4, VW Tiguan) typically retain 65-70% of their new price at 3 years, ahead of Chinese brands and newer SUVs that plateau around 55-60%. For an exact figure on your model, run the estimator at the top of each model page — it computes median + p25-p75 range based on the year and mileage you enter.
Where can the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz GLE be test-driven in Morocco?
Both models are sold through their importers' official dealer networks in Morocco. For the latest list with addresses and phone numbers, see each model's /neuf/ page — every page lists the official importer and helps you find the nearest dealer to your city.