Land Rover Discovery Sport P250 R-Dynamic SE vs Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 2021 Comparison Review

Right from the get-go, these two are incredibly evenly matched. Both are smallish SUVs, both have turbo-petrol 2.0-litre engines with all-wheel drive, and both have seven seats.

Despite notably different approaches to design, their prices are closely matched, too.

Each car wears a before on-roads (MSRP) of less than $75,000, although both cars tested here exceed that number thanks to extensive options lists.

Scroll to the bottom of this section to see a full breakdown of the features available on the base cars, and the features fitted to our test cars.

The Discovery Sport P250 SE is the cheaper of the two when it comes to base MSRP, starting from $71,232, although it ended up overshooting the GLB with its lavish options.

The Disco on this test came to a slightly eye-watering $82,312 which is $10k over its start price.

The GLB 250 meanwhile, starts a little higher than its rival here, with a base MSRP of $73,900. Although its reasonably priced and packaged options land the car we tested at just $78,570.

While this seems to give an easy win to the Merc, keep in mind you might not want half the options fitted to our Discovery Sport, with notably expensive items like DAB+ digital radio ($400) not only being standard on the Benz, but hardly worthwhile in many large cities where digital radio coverage can be average at best.

In fact, if you take away our Discovery's optional DAB radio ($400), privacy glass ($650), black contrast roof ($920), and choose 'Fuji White' as your colour ('Namib Orange' on our test car is a $2020 option... ) the Discovery comes down to a much more evenly matched $78,322.

While the Discovery Sport's options list is exceptionally long, it's worth noting that it does have some nifty additions like the 'Clear Sight' camera-based rear vision mirror which can't be fitted to the GLB.

As tested both cars had packs fitted (see table below). Our GLB 250 had the 'Driving Assistance Package' ($1990) including distance control, active lane change assist, cross traffic alert, as well as the 'Vision Package' ($1190) including adaptive high beam plus, multibeam LED headlights, and 360-degree camera suite. Meanwhile the Discovery Sport had the 'Technology Pack' ($1640), Black Exterior Pack ($1590) as well as six other individually-priced options.

When it comes to standard inclusions, both cars impress.

How about interior convenience features?No red flags there, and stellar standard equipment overall for both cars although you'll note some items are optional on the Discovery Sport. While neither car had an optional stereo fitted, the Benz's standard audio system sounded clearer and deeper than the Land Rover's.

Finally, here are some spec differences you'll want to be aware of. Keep in mind we'll cover off what's standard and optional when it comes to safety later in this review.

Do we have a winner here? The Mercedes is slightly more generous with its standard inclusions, and most optional items are in well-priced packs in comparison to the Land Rover which has a frustrating tendency to separate out small items individually.

Both these luxury SUVs stand out from not only their stablemates, but offerings from other brands (like the Audi Q3) for their stellar practicality promise.

They're smaller than 'mid-size' but offer the choice of large storage areas or seven seats.

On the storage front, the Disco wins out with its larger overall boot volume of 754-litres (VDA) with the third row stowed. This easily consumed our entire CarsGuide luggage set or the CarsGuide pram with space to spare.

The Mercedes has significantly less capacity on paper (560L with the third row stowed), but also consumed the CarsGuide luggage set or pram without issue.

It seemed there was less than the stated 194-litre difference between the vehicles once loaded up on our test, a credit to the Mercedes, or demerit point against the Land Rover, perhaps.

With the third row up, neither vehicle could fit even the smallest (36L) luggage case in our set. A smaller item or something less rigid like a duffle bag could reasonably fit instead, especially in the Discovery Sport which offers slightly more room (157L).

In both vehicles the second and third rows fold entirely flat for a useful maximum cargo area in each, with the Benz gaining a slight advantage, perhaps owing to its low floor and tall roof. See the table below for total luggage capacities.

Both cars also have split-folding second rows where the middle seat can be independently lowered in lieu of a ski port.

In terms of up-front cabin comfort the Discovery has a lavishly appointed dash trim with almost every surface, including down near your knees, being a padded material. The door cards are also well appointed, as is the top of the centre console box for a truly luxurious seating position. Adjustability is also excellent.

In terms of front seat storage the Discovery Sport shines with very large door bins, generous centre cupholders, a big console box and deep glove box.

Amenity-wise the Disco Sport gets USB 2.0-ports only (not USB-C), housed in the centre console. A wireless charging bay sits under the climate controls, and there are also two 12V outlets for front passengers.

In the front seat of the GLB 250 you sit noticeably lower than you do in the Disco, and there's a more upright feel to the dashboard design.

Adjustibility is excellent, and the 'Artico' faux leather trim extends to the door cards and top of the centre console box. The seats in the Benz seemed more plush than the ones in the Discovery Sport, although there were more hard surfaces adorning the dash design.

You'll probably want some converters in the GLB which only offers three USB-C outlets, one 12V outlet, and the wireless charging bay under the climate controls for front passengers.

The GLB also has healthy storage areas and cupholders, although each is slightly smaller than the Discovery Sport's.

The second row proved spacious enough with each seat set so that I could fit in there, with airspace for my knees, and healthy amounts of head and arm room.

It's worth noting that the 'stadium' seating arrangement in the Benz places second row passengers much higher than those in front. Soft touch surfaces and the same cushy seat trim extend to the second-row door cards.

The Discovery also gets the same trims extended to the second row, with nice seats set-up in a less stadium arrangement than its Benz competitor. The door cards are excellent with deep cushy trim, and the drop-down armrest even has its own storage box and large cupholders.

Both cars score directional vents in the second row, but in terms of outlets the Benz is the winner with two USB-C ports. The Discovery only has a single 12V outlet.

Storage is admirable in both vehicles with the Discovery Sport's second row also featuring deep door bins, hard shell pockets on the back of the front seats, and a small stowage tray on the back of the centre console.

The GLB scores a flip out tray with the USB ports, smallish door bins, and nets on the back of the front seats.

The third row deserves special attention in each car. I was surprised to find I fit in both without too much trouble, but there is a winner.

The GLB is superbly packaged to the point where an adult can exist in reasonable comfort in the third row. The deep floor is instrumental in providing a place for your feet to tuck away, creating more room for your knees.

My head was touching the roof in the back of the GLB, but it was not hard up. The cushy seat trim continued again, allowing me to sink a little into the third-row seats for superior support and comfort over the Disco Sport. The downsides to the Benz' third row include slightly tighter knee room, and a lack of padding for the elbow support.

On the third-row amenity front, the GLB scores a further two USB-C ports on either side as well as a decent cupholder and storage tray. There are no adjustable vents or fan control for third row passengers.

The Disco Sport meanwhile is a much tighter fit for my frame. There's nowhere for my feet to go, raising my knees to an uncomfortable position, although they are not hard up against the second row as they were in the Benz.

The Discovery Sport offers notably less headroom and the seat trim is much harder than in the Benz, offering less support. One area where the Disco does shine is its soft elbow supports and independent fan controls, as well as a larger window apertures. The Discovery Sport only has a single 12V outlet for rear passengers, although USB 2.0-ports can be optioned.

Overall, the Benz is more impressively packaged and packed with modern tech as standard, especially if you're going to be putting adults in the third row. The Disco Sport is luxuriously appointed with nice storage touches, but the third row is really only for kids, even though amenities can be optionally added.

Its worth remembering both vehicles are stellar in terms of the flexibility and practicality features they offer over their stablemates, so there's only a winner here for certain use cases.

Neither car claims to be a fuel consumption star, with relatively high official combined cycle (urban, extra-urban) figures for 2.0-litre engines.

The GLB 250 has the lower claim of 7.7L/100km, while the Discovery Sport has a slightly higher sticker number of 8.1L/100km. Makes sense given its extra weight.

The results over our drive loop were telling. We drove each car over the same roads in the same conditions, sticking mainly to winding B-roads with some urban running included in each 'controlled' loop.

Keep in mind these conditions are less than ideal, with lots of hills, and no stretches of open road freeway.

The results confirmed our suspicions that the Discovery Sport likes a drink. Seems there's a cost to its more rev-happy and punchy engine.

Check out the table below to see our full fuel consumption results. Interestingly, both vehicles over-reported fuel consumption on their respective trip computers compared to our at-the-pump measurement.

As you can see, the numbers confirmed our suspicion that the Discovery Sport is a thirsty unit, at 82.7 per cent over its claim on our test, giving the GLB's leaner and more efficient drivetrain the edge here.

Here's one area where we have a clear winner. Mercedes recently moved to a permanent five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which is well ahead of all luxury automakers except for Korean newcomer, Genesis.

Roadside assist is included for the duration, and Mercedes offer a reasonably priced capped service program at $2650 for the first three years, which can be pre-paid at the time of purchase at a $500 discount. The GLB 250 requires servicing once every 12 months or 25,000km, whichever occurs first.

The Discovery Sport, meanwhile, has a lacklustre-in-comparison three-year, 100,000km warranty promise, with roadside assist included.

The Land Rover's servicing is condition based determined by its onboard computer, but servicing is notably more affordable than its Mercedes rival, with a pre-paid 'Land Rover Service Plan' coming in at just $1950 for five years.

The great thing about either of these two cars is they are fantastic choices, even against their own stablemates.

Both are practicality heroes with great safety and healthy engine performance, as well as impressive drive characteristics.

On the balance of scores in our test though, the Mercedes-Benz GLB wins by a tight margin. Again, it's not a definitive crown. If you're going to spend more time around town, the GLB's brilliant packaging, value additions, and humane third row (for adults) will make it a sure winner.

If you're going to be spending a lot of time on the open road, though, don't look past the Discovery Sport which offers a customisable seven-seat solution with a newfound luxuriousness to its interior treatment.

Which would you choose? Let us know which one and why in the comments.