Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2010 Land Rover RANGE ROVER VS 2010 Mercedes M Near Scottsdale, AZ

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Land Rover Range Rover are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes M Class has only front height-adjustable seat belts.

The Range Rover offers an optional collision warning system, which detects an impending crash through forward mounted sensors and flashes a bright light and sounds a loud, distinctive tone to warn the driver to brake or maneuver immediately to avoid a collision. The M Class doesn't offer a collision warning system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All Wheel Drive is standard on the Range Rover. But it costs extra on the M Class.

The Range Rover offers an optional Surround Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The M Class only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Range Rover’s optional blind spot warning system uses rear-aimed sensors monitored by computer to alert the driver to moving objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The M Class doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver's blind spots.

Both the Range Rover and the M Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The Land Rover Range Rover weighs 450 to 1259 pounds more than the Mercedes M Class. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Range Rover’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the M Class’ (6/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

Land Rover pays for scheduled maintenance on the Range Rover for 4 years and 50,000 miles. Land Rover will pay for oil changes, tire rotation, lubrication and any other scheduled maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the M Class.

The Range Rover has more powerful engines than the M Class:

The Range Rover has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the M Class Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (27.6 vs. 23.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Range Rover has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the M Class’ standard fuel tank (27.6 vs. 25.1 gallons).

For better stopping power the Range Rover’s brake rotors are larger than those on the M Class:

The Range Rover’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the M Class are solid, not vented.

The Range Rover has a standard full size spare tire so your trip isn’t interrupted by a flat. A full size spare isn’t available on the M Class, it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Range Rover has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The M Class’ suspension doesn’t offer rear gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the Range Rover uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the M Class, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Range Rover has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The M Class’ suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Range Rover has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Range Rover’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The M Class doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Range Rover has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The M Class doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Range Rover’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the M Class’ (51.9% to 48.1%). This gives the Range Rover more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the Range Rover has a 2.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the M Class (11 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Range Rover to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Range Rover has 3.6 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.6 inches more rear hip room and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the M Class.

The Range Rover has a much larger cargo area with its rear seat up than the M Class with its rear seat up (35.1 vs. 29.4 cubic feet). The Range Rover has a much larger cargo area with its rear seat folded than the M Class with its rear seat folded (74.2 vs. 72.4 cubic feet).

The Range Rover’s cargo area is larger than the M Class’ in almost every dimension:

The Range Rover’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The M Class’ rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The Range Rover’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The M Class doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

While driving with high-beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Range Rover detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low-beams. The M Class doesn’t offer automatic dimming high-beams.

When the Range Rover is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The M Class’ mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Range Rover’s optional air conditioned front seats cool the driver and front passenger and help take the sting out of hot leather in Summer. The M Class doesn’t offer air conditioned front seats.