Luxury SUV Showdown: Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Luxury SUV Showdown: Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Posted on June 28, 2020
There's no shortage of all-round family SUVs on the Canadian market. But as you rise up the comfort levels to the luxury performance class, the options become fewer. The ideal SUV in this segment should have the smoothness and comfort to excel on the highway, while also possessing the drive and confidence to handle off-road adventuring in style.
Two of the main players in this market are the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and the Land Rover Range Rover Sport. How do they compare?
First Impressions
Both cars are large, powerful-looking SUVs with plenty of presence. Both body shapes are on the chunky, imposing side rather than sleekly curved, designed to be just as happy tearing up the trail as cruising around the city.
Powertrain and Performance
The Range Rover Sport is available in three engine configurations. The first is a 3.0L turbodiesel V6 model which produces a respectable 254 horsepower and 443lb-ft of torque. However, upgrade to the 5.0L supercharged V8 and you'll be met with a mighty 575hp and 516lb-ft of torque, more than enough for off-roading in even the toughest conditions.
Lastly, the Land Rover is also available in a mild hybrid configuration based around a 3.0L I6 gasoline engine plus dual electric motors. This option provides a combined horsepower of up to 400hp, making a great compromise between sheer power and low-emission performance.
All Land Rover Range Rover Sport models are equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class offers only one powertrain option, but it's a beauty. The twin-turbo 4.0L V8 puts out a massive 577 horsepower with 627lb-ft of torque, passed through a 9-speed automatic transmission for a powerful and confident drive with plenty in reserve at all times.
Fuel Economy
With performance at this level, neither SUV can be expected to show stellar fuel economy. Nonetheless, the Range Rover's figures aren't too terrifying, offering 14.1L / 100km in the city and 10.3L / 100km on the highway.
The Mercedes-Benz is substantially thirstier, unsurprisingly considering the huge output of the standard engine. The official figures for the G-Class are 18.1L / 100km in the city and 15.6L / 100km on the highway.
Interior and Features
Both of these SUVs are firmly in the luxury class, and both have an extensive list of features included off the peg. Choose the Mercedes and you'll enjoy automatic climate control, full trip computer with navigation, powered leather seats, Bluetooth connectivity, and much, much more.
The Range Rover is similarly highly equipped, taking the lead from the Mercedes but adding a few minor features such as remote trunk release and a power liftgate.
Overall though, there's little to choose between the two SUVs when it comes to the interior. Both offer exceptional luxury and comfort, including more or less all the features you could hope for as standard.
Test Drive a Range Rover Sport or Mercedes-Benz G-Class in Toronto
Whichever of these mighty machines most catches your eye, contact us now to arrange a test drive from our North York dealership. If you're looking for a luxury SUV that really performs, we have the largest selection in the Toronto area and beyond.