Defender vs G-Class
The Defender and the G-Class compete for the same spot on your shortlist, with Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz each making its case. It’s a balanced fight with different weapons. The Defender relies on fuel economy & range, the G-Class on engine & performance.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance G-Class wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Defender wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance1.4
- Fuel Economy & Range6.9
- Engine & Performance8.8
- Fuel Economy & Range3.6
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The G-Class has 147 hp more power
Not a close call. The G-Class lists 443 hp and the Defender lists 296 hp. That’s a substantial gap. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
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The G-Class has 118 lb-ft more torque
Among all the differences on this page, 413 lb-ft against 295 lb-ft is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the G-Class. The G-Class’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
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The Defender has better fuel economy
The G-Class isn’t far behind at 18 mpg, but the Defender’s 19 mpg still comes out ahead. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
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The Defender has better city fuel economy
A narrow win for the Defender. With 18 mpg to 17 mpg, it’s the kind of difference that adds up rather than stands out. City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
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The Defender has better highway fuel economy
Close, but not identical: the Defender lists 20 mpg and the G-Class lists 19 mpg. The Defender uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
G-Class leads
The Defender has a tough time in the engine & performance section, where the G-Class pulls well ahead. The G-Class adds 147 hp more power. The G-Class’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed. The engine & performance verdict goes to the G-Class.
Total system output
Defender: 296 hp G-Class: 443 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Torque
Defender: 295 lb-ft G-Class: 413 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Fuel Economy & Range
Defender leads
No contest in fuel economy & range: the Defender is the stronger of the two. The Defender gives you better fuel economy. The Defender uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. Weighing only fuel economy & range, the Defender comes out ahead.
Fuel economy (combined)
Defender: 19 mpg G-Class: 18 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (city)
Defender: 18 mpg G-Class: 17 mpg Hybrids often shine in the city, and the Defender has the better rating here.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
Both the Defender and the G-Class cover space & practicality equally well on paper. Net result on space & practicality: level.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
On off-road & towing, the Defender and the G-Class are effectively level. Both cover off-road & towing well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Safety & Tech
The safety & tech data here comes as names and types, not scores. Check the table to see what each one uses.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Defender | G-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas (48V mild hybrid) |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 3.0L turbo I6 |
| Total system output | 296 hp | 443 hp (winner) Most powerful in class |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 413 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | 4WD (twin-speed transfer case) | 4WD (low range) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Defender | G-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 19 mpg (winner) | 18 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 18 mpg (winner) | 17 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 20 mpg (winner) | 19 mpg Thirstiest on the highway |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Defender | G-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Defender | G-Class |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Defender | G-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Defender if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (19 mpg vs 18 mpg)
- you mostly drive in town (18 mpg vs 17 mpg in the city)
- you cover long highway distances (20 mpg vs 19 mpg on the highway)
Choose the G-Class if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (443 hp vs 296 hp)
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (413 lb-ft vs 295 lb-ft of torque)
- you trust Mercedes-Benz and want to keep things familiar
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Defender or the G-Class?
It depends on your priorities: the Defender is stronger on fuel economy & range, while the G-Class leads on engine & performance.
Executive Summary
Comparing the Defender and the G-Class feels a bit like comparing two good restaurants with different menus. It’s hard to argue with better fuel economy, which is exactly what the Defender brings. A second reason: the Defender comes with better highway fuel economy. Where the G-Class fights back is 147 hp more power.
I’d steer fuel economy & range fans toward the Defender and engine & performance fans toward the G-Class.
My pick: it depends. Go for the Defender if fuel economy & range comes first for you, or the G-Class if engine & performance does.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.