2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator slotted below the Navigator and above the compact MKC and its replacement, the Lincoln Corsair. Lincoln's return to using real vehicle names signaled a departure from the old alphabet-soup naming convention, indicating a move away from copying imports. The Aviator featured a unified design across Lincoln's lineup, with handsome headlights and an upright chrome grille. Its tapered roofline and low, wide beltline gave it an elongated, almost boat-like appearance. Inside, the Aviator's cabin boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective use of brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, and the shifter buttons had a piano-key design. The front seats were incredibly comfortable, using plush leather throughout, even in areas where it wasn't necessary, showcasing Lincoln's commitment to luxury. The Aviator also had unique touches like a massive panoramic moonroof and warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE, while not the most striking in appearance, had a much-improved interior. The GLE Coupe, which was tested, received a full redesign for 2021, making it more streamlined and cohesive. The interior was a masterpiece in quality, layout, colors, and textures, with a red and black interior that was both loud and palatial. The twin arching grab handles on the center console, outlined with LED lighting, were a standout feature. The GLE's interior materials, including wood, metal, leather, suede, and plastic, were delightful to touch and operate, except for the flimsy gear selector and turn signal stalks. The GLE exuded a sense of pampering, but it required a high level of options to feel truly luxurious.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Touring trim combined this engine with a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a net 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains used a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the base V6 offering rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) was AWD only. Both versions could achieve 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The Grand Touring's hybrid setup provided hushed, confident acceleration and smoothed out the driving experience. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned in their feedback. The Aviator's driving dynamics focused on soft refinement, similar to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV. Fuel economy for the RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17, 24, 20. The PHEV had a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 miles-per-gallon equivalent combined rating.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled as a multi-purpose airship with complex suspension and engine setups. The base GLE 350 used a coil-sprung setup, while the GLE 450 featured self-leveling air springs with adaptive dampers. The AMG Ride Control+ and E-Active Body Control offered advanced features like anti-roll bars with electrohydraulic motors and the ability to lean into turns. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe had an electric supercharger for instant throttle response. Every GLE except the base GLE 350 was a hybrid, with an electric motor-generator providing up to 21 additional horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The GLE 350 had 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the GLE 450 had 362 hp and 369 lb-ft. The AMG GLE 53 had 429 hp and 384 lb-ft, the GLE 580 had 483 hp and 516 lb-ft, and the GLE 63 S had 603 hp and 627 lb-ft. The GLE's driving experience was exceptional, with the ability to tow up to 7700 pounds. Fuel economy varied, with the GLE 450 achieving 21/26/23 mpg, while the AMG GLE 53 Coupe averaged 16 mpg.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three rows, competed with the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Land Rover Discovery, and Cadillac XT6. The optional second-row captain's chairs were fantastic, while the power-closing third row was adequate for adults but best suited for kids on longer trips. Dropping the second and third rows provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Cadillac XT6. The Aviator's seats and door handles were somewhat confusing, with a complicated seat-control system and an unconventional door-release function. The manual door release worked only for the driver's door, raising concerns about accessibility in emergencies.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered roomy two-row seating, with an optional third row for seven-passenger capacity. The second-row seats had power controls for recline, fore-aft, and headrest adjustments. The Coupe version seated five, with limited middle-seat comfort. Cargo capacity was 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 75 cubic feet with all rows folded, while the Coupe had 23 and 61 cubic feet, respectively. The sloping roofline and slimmer windows made the space feel smaller, and the rear doors' narrow openings were obstructed by large rear tires. The new MBUX infotainment system improved usability, with seat controls on the doors and rocker switches on the center console. The system required setup before driving but was less complicated than the previous GLE.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The landscape layout provided a better interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compared to the Ford Explorer's portrait layout. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and a massive head-up display, offering a minimalist and unobtrusive readout.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE's main 12-inch display was a touchscreen with Interior Assistant, capable of reading hand gestures. The system could be controlled via touchpad or thumbpad, with a simplified interface and search bars for easier navigation. The AMG models had a Track Pace app for virtual pit crew functions and GPS lap timing. The GLE featured numerous comfort and convenience options, including seat kinetics, perfume canisters, Energizing Comfort, heated armrests, and automatic bolsters. The head-up display and instrument panel were highly customizable, with sharp and crisp displays. The ambient lighting had 64 colors, and the navigation system used the front camera feed for enhanced directions. The GLE also had a natural voice assistant and semi-automated functionality for lane changes and curve slowing.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came with standard safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Other safety tech included blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE earned the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for its performance in six crash tests, headlights, and standard forward emergency braking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had not rated the GLE. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, evasive steering assist, front cross-traffic braking, and semi-automated control. The GLE also had Pre-Safe Sound and Pre-Safe Impulse Side for enhanced protection in a crash.