Land Rover Discovery vs Mercedes-Benz GLE
Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is the sharper financial case at RM498,888 against the Land Rover Discovery’s RM729,800, a RM230,912 gap before you count road tax at RM440 versus RM1,629. It is also quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, and adds a 31.0 kWh plug-in hybrid battery with 114 km of EV range. The Discovery fights back with seven seats, 600 Nm and a bigger body, so it is the family-hauler choice if you genuinely need the extra chairs.
Pick the Land Rover Discovery if you need seven seats, 600 Nm of diesel torque and a larger SUV footprint more than you need lower purchase price or plug-in hybrid running.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you want the cheaper, quicker SUV with 114 km of EV range, auto emergency braking and a lower annual road tax bill.
Key differences
- Price: Land Rover Discovery RM729,800; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888
- Seats: Land Rover Discovery 7; Mercedes-Benz GLE 5
- Powertrain: Land Rover Discovery 2,993 cc diesel; Mercedes-Benz GLE 1,999 cc petrol plug-in hybrid with 31.0 kWh battery
- Performance: Land Rover Discovery 0-100 km/h in 8.1 s; Mercedes-Benz GLE 6.1 s
- Boot space: Land Rover Discovery 258 L; Mercedes-Benz GLE 490 L
- Road tax: Land Rover Discovery RM1,629/year; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM440/year
Discovery
- Seven-seat cabin
- 600 Nm diesel torque
- Five-year warranty
- RM230,912 dearer
- Slower 8.1-second 0-100 km/h
- No auto emergency braking listed
GLE
- RM230,912 cheaper
- 114 km EV range
- Quicker 6.1-second 0-100 km/h
- Only five seats
- 400 Nm versus the Discovery’s 600 Nm
- Four-year warranty
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 729,800 | RM 498,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with common-rail direct fuel injection and variable geometry turbochargers | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 258 hp✓ | 248 hp |
| Torque | 600 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 154 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 440 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 114 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Sport Mode | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| 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 | 210 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 189 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,970 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 2,220 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,888 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,923 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 2,298 kg | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 85 litres | 85 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 258 litres | 490 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 275/45R21 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/45R21 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental CrossContact LX Sport | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | United Kingdom (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" 10 Split-Spoke Style 1012 Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" 10 Split-Spoke Style 1012 Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Cross-drilled Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| 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 Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Three on Middle Row Seats, Two on Last Row Seats | Available on two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Headlights | LED Reflectors |
| 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 | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding, Manual Slide and Recline Middle Row, 50:50 Split-Folding Last Row | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 3 Front, 2 Middle Row, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 10" InTouchControl Pro, Meridian Sound System with 10 Speakers and Subwoofer | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround Camera System | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/65,000 km free scheduled maintenance | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 1,629 | RM 440✓ |
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 GLE FAQ
Is the Land Rover Discovery or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is better for most buyers: it is cheaper, quicker, has 114 km of EV range and gets auto emergency braking. The Land Rover Discovery is better only if seven seats and 600 Nm of diesel torque are non-negotiable.
What is the price difference?
The Land Rover Discovery costs RM729,800, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM498,888. That makes the Discovery RM230,912 more expensive before running-cost differences such as road tax.
Which SUV is faster?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is faster to 100 km/h at 6.1 seconds, compared with 8.1 seconds for the Land Rover Discovery. Top speed is almost identical: 210 km/h for the GLE and 209 km/h for the Discovery.