Land Rover Defender vs. Mercedes-Benz A-Class
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz A-Class contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Land Rover Defender and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
In comparing the Land Rover Defender's and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class's specifications and ratings, the Land Rover Defender has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Land Rover Defender's and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class's specifications and ratings, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a better car than the Land Rover Defender.
Pricing: A used 2022 Land Rover Defender ranges from $51,989 to $91,720 while a used 2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is priced between $27,894 to $36,922.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Land Rover Defender loses 49.4 percent of its value and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class loses 40 percent of its value. This means the Mercedes-Benz A-Class retains 9.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Land Rover Defender.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Land Rover Defender’s base engine makes 296 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class base engine makes 188 horsepower. The Defender is rated to deliver an average of 19 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 491 miles. The A-Class is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 473 miles.This gives the Mercedes-Benz A-Class the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Land Rover Defender the advantage in maximum range. Both models use premium unleaded.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$48,700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$47,027
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$31,500 - $73,600
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$33,950
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$50,950
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$33,950 - $92,500
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$67,155
Price Range:
$51,989 - $91,720
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$43,229
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$30,885 - $67,155
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
115
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
37,093
# Good or Great Deals:
50
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$32,449
Price Range:
$27,894 - $36,922
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$51,317
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$32,449 - $87,757
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
101
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
33,051
# Good or Great Deals:
32
Land Rover Defender Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.4 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Land Rover Defender
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
10.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
8.7 - 11.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
9.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
9.1 - 11
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
1 - 35.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
2.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
1.6 - 11
Land Rover Defender Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
5 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 26Ranking
12 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
17 out of / 29Ranking
18 out of / 29Ranking
18 out of / 29Ranking
20 out of / 27Ranking
25 out of / 29Mercedes-Benz A-Class Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
9 out of / 36Ranking
23 out of / 36Ranking
36 out of / 36Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Land Rover Defender Trim Levels
110 Carpathian Edition, 110 S, 110 SE, 110 Standard, 110 Trophy Edition, 110 V8, 110 V8 Bond Edition, 110 X, 110 X-Dynamic HSE, 110 X-Dynamic SE, 110 XS Edition, 90 Carpathian Edition, 90 S, 90 Standard, 90 V8, 90 X, 90 X-Dynamic HSE, 90 X-Dynamic S, 90 X-Dynamic SE
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Trim Levels
A 220, A 220 4MATIC
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
296 hp @ 4000 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.065 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
188 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
221 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
18 / 21 / 19
Range (city/hwy):
421 / 491 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 35 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
324 / 473 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Backup camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Backup camera:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
39 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
60.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.4 inches
Cargo Space:
15.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
58.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
33.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Cargo Space:
8.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
90.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4550 lbs
Width:
82.9 inches
Height:
77.7 inches
Length:
180.4 inches
Wheelbase:
101.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
11.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3285 lbs
Width:
78.4 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
179.1 inches
Wheelbase:
107.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted steel
Tire Size:
255/60R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/55R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Santorini Black Metallic
Blue
Tasman Blue Metallic
Brown
Gondwana Stone Metallic
Gray
Carpathian Grey Metallic / Eiger Grey Metallic
Green
Pangea Green Metallic
Silver
Hakuba Silver Metallic / Silicon Silver Metallic
White
Fuji White / Yulong White Metallic
Gold
Not available
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Cosmos Black Metallic / Night Black
Blue
Denim Blue Metallic
Brown
Not available
Gray
Mountain Grey Metallic
Green
Not available
Silver
Iridium Silver Metallic
White
Digital White Metallic / Polar White
Gold
Rose Gold Metallic
Red
Patagonia Red Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Ebony
Beige
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black w/ Red Stitching
Beige
Macchiato Beige
Brown
Bahia Brown
Gray
Neva Grey/Black / Titanium Grey/Black
Red
Classic Red/Black
