2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, featuring chrome and brightwork that differentiated it from the Ford Expedition, its platform mate. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system, lattice-type grille insert, and illuminated star logo added to its distinctiveness. The Navigator also offered a new Reserve Monochromatic Package with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels, available in White, Ceramic Pearl, and Infinite Black. The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, was priced at $92,385 and included the Luxury and Reserve Monochromatic option packages.

Inside, the Navigator impressed with its Dark Slate leather interior and 30-way Perfect Position front seats, which included heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The dashboard featured mid-century modern styling cues, digital instrumentation, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and piano-key transmission controls. A panoramic glass roof and high-quality materials further enhanced the luxurious feel, making the Navigator a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB, introduced in 2020, joined Mercedes' extensive SUV lineup, slotting between the GLA and GLC. Despite its distinct measurements, the GLB shared the brand's DNA, making it hard to distinguish from its siblings without checking the badge. The GLB's attractive, athletic stance was complemented by 7.9 inches of ground clearance, making it suitable for soft roads and speed humps.

Inside, the GLB was a modern stunner with round shapes across the dash, polished metal HVAC vents, and a single panel housing the virtual instrument cluster and infotainment screen. The cabin boasted Mercedes-Benz's excellent fit and finish, with a beefy steering wheel featuring perforated leather grips. The GLB's interior design and materials reflected the brand's commitment to luxury and quality.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with an optional four-wheel drive. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb (with the towing package). It had a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds (RWD) and 8,300 pounds (4WD), aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist.

Acceleration from the V6 was strong, with a subtle yet aggressive engine note. The Navigator averaged 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, with an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined. Despite its size, the Navigator's body motion control was excellent, though impact harshness was an issue with 22-inch wheels. Around town, the Navigator felt huge but manageable, thanks to a tight turning radius, parking assist system, and numerous camera views.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine generating 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLB's fuel economy was 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined (FWD) and 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway/26 mpg combined (4WD).

Weighing between 3,638 and 3,891 pounds, the GLB had a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph. The 4MATIC version offered better handling and agility, especially on dry roads and during cornering. The Off-Road Engineering Package, standard with 4MATIC, included hill-start assist, downhill speed regulation, and an animation program for off-road maneuvers.

Entering the 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up, but once inside, passengers enjoyed ample space and comfort. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, though finding the right settings took time. The second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or two captain's chairs, with the latter option including a large center console. The third-row seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support.

Cargo space was also class-leading, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103.3 cubic feet maximum in the standard-length model. The longer Navigator L offered 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively. The upcoming 2021 Cadillac Escalade was expected to match the Navigator in passenger comfort and cargo space.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered a critical choice: whether to add the third-row option. The second row's seatbacks were divided 40:20:40, with adjustable recline angles and sliding sections. In three-row models, the second row had an "Easy-Entry" function for easier access to the retractable third row. Cargo space varied, with 27.0 cubic feet behind the second row and 62.0 cubic feet maximum in the two-row model. The three-row model offered 5.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 24.0 cubic feet behind the second row, and 56.7 cubic feet maximum.

The GLB's front seats were comfortable and highly adjustable, with available heated and ventilated options. The second row was comfortable for two adults, though a third adult would be cramped. The cabin featured modern amenities like door pockets, map pockets, cupholders, and a rear armrest.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive feature, taking time to load content. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and wireless device charging. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The voice recognition system worked reasonably well but required specific command pathways.

The test vehicle's 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided a compelling audio experience, with Stereo as the preferred listening profile. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display. The optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system added dual 10-inch displays, wireless headphones, Slingbox access, Roku media streaming, and Apple and Android compatibility.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB featured the latest Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with voice control, natural language understanding, and keyword activation. Standard technology included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a 7-inch touchscreen multimedia display, a rearview camera, smartphone integration, keyless start, and a power liftgate.

The Premium Package upgraded the digital instrument cluster and touchscreen media display to 10.25 inches each, with keyless go and a Burmester Surround Sound System. The optional Multimedia Package added navigation with augmented reality (AR) and traffic-sign assist. AR navigation used a camera feed to superimpose information on the media display. Other advanced options included adaptive damping, 64-color ambient lighting, wireless device charging, NFC pairing, parking assistance, active parking assist, and a head-up display.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Reserve trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Navigator's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance operated with refinement and subtlety. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though the rear-wheel-drive model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB included standard safety features like active brake assist, adaptive braking technology, crosswind assist, attention assist, and emergency call service. Available features included active LED headlamps, adaptive high-beam assist, and blind-spot assist. The Driver Assistance Package added advanced features like active distance assist Distronic, active steering assist, active brake assist with cross-traffic function, active speed limit assist, active blind-spot assist, active lane-keeping assist, and Pre-Safe Plus with Pre-Safe Sound. Pre-Safe Sound emitted a brief interference signal to trigger the stapedius reflex, reducing hearing loss from a car accident. The 2021 GLB had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.