Land Rover Discovery vs Mercedes-Benz GLS
Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is the quicker, larger seven-seat SUV: 362 hp, 6.1 seconds to 100 km/h, 250 km/h flat out, a 3,135 mm wheelbase and 355 litres of boot space. But it costs RM999,888 against the Land Rover Discovery’s RM729,800, a RM270,088 gap. The Discovery counters with 600 Nm, an 85-litre tank, stated 7.2 L/100 km fuel use, eight airbags and a five-year warranty. For a Malaysian buyer, this is speed and space versus diesel range and a much lower buy-in.
Discovery
Pick the Land Rover Discovery if you want the lower price, diesel torque, stated 7.2 L/100 km economy and a five-year warranty.
GLS
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLS if you want stronger acceleration, a longer wheelbase, more boot space and auto emergency braking.
Key differences
- Price: Land Rover Discovery RM729,800; Mercedes-Benz GLS RM999,888
- Power and torque: Land Rover Discovery 258 hp/600 Nm; Mercedes-Benz GLS 362 hp/500 Nm
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: Land Rover Discovery 8.1 s/209 km/h; Mercedes-Benz GLS 6.1 s/250 km/h
- Size: Land Rover Discovery 4,970 mm long/2,923 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz GLS 5,207 mm long/3,135 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: Land Rover Discovery 258 L; Mercedes-Benz GLS 355 L
- Safety and warranty: Land Rover Discovery 8 airbags/no AEB/5-year warranty; Mercedes-Benz GLS 7 airbags/AEB/4-year warranty
Discovery
- RM270,088 cheaper to buy
- 600 Nm is 100 Nm more than the GLS
- Stated 7.2 L/100 km fuel economy
- Slower 8.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 258-litre boot
- No auto emergency braking listed
GLS
- Quicker 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- Longer 3,135 mm wheelbase and 355-litre boot
- Auto emergency braking is included
- RM999,888 price is a big step up
- 500 Nm is less than the Discovery’s 600 Nm
- Shorter four-year warranty
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 729,800✓ | RM 999,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with common-rail direct fuel injection and variable geometry turbochargers | 24-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, twin turbochargers and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 258 hp | 362 hp✓ |
| Torque | 600 Nm✓ | 500 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 84 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Sport Mode | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.1 seconds | 6.1 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 209 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 189 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,970 mm | 5,207 mm |
| Width | 2,220 mm | 2,157 mm |
| Height | 1,888 mm | 1,823 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,923 mm | 3,135 mm |
| Weight | 2,298 kg | 2,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 85 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 258 litres | 355 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 275/45R21 | 285/45R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/45R21 | 285/45R22 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental CrossContact LX Sport | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | United Kingdom (CBU) | United States (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link with Air Suspension | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" 10 Split-Spoke Style 1012 Alloy | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" 10 Split-Spoke Style 1012 Alloy | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated, Perforated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Air Suspension (adjustable ride height and damping), Terrain Response | AIRMATIC with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Three on Middle Row Seats, Two on Last Row Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, PRE-SAFE Brake, Full Auto Brake |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Headlights | Multibeam LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Sports Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding, Manual Slide and Recline Middle Row, 50:50 Split-Folding Last Row | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Balance Perfume System and Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | Panoramic | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 3 Front, 2 Middle Row, 1 Boot | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 10" InTouchControl Pro, Meridian Sound System with 10 Speakers and Subwoofer | 12.3" MBUX, COMAND Controller, Touchpad, Burmester Sound System with 13 Speakers (590W) and rear seat individual entertainment system, including two 11.6-inch monitors with wireless headphones, rear center armrest control/USB/audio interface |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround Camera System | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Soft Close Function, All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | MBUX Interior Assistant, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/65,000 km free scheduled maintenance | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 1,629✓ | RM 1,638 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Discovery vs GLS FAQ
Is the Land Rover Discovery or Mercedes-Benz GLS better?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is better for pace, boot space and AEB. The Land Rover Discovery is better if you want diesel torque, stated fuel economy, more airbags and a longer warranty for less money.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS costs RM270,088 more than the Land Rover Discovery, at RM999,888 versus RM729,800.
Which one is quicker?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is clearly quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and reaching 250 km/h. The Land Rover Discovery takes 8.1 seconds and tops out at 209 km/h.