2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator, sharing its platform with the Ford Expedition, distinguished itself with unique front and rear styling elements and the Lincoln Embrace lighting system. The Navigator featured a lattice-type grille insert, an illuminated star logo, and black roof pillars for a wraparound glass appearance. The new Reserve Monochromatic Package added body-color grille and side mirror enhancements with 22-inch black-painted wheels, available in White, Ceramic Pearl, and Infinite Black paint colors. The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, included the Luxury and Reserve Monochromatic option packages, priced at $92,385.

Inside, the Navigator's Dark Slate leather interior boasted Lincoln’s 30-way Perfect Position front seats with 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 enhanced the luxurious feel, making the Navigator a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS, introduced in its third generation for the 2020 model year, continued to appeal to luxury SUV buyers with its softened angles and lines, making it appear less bulky. Inside, the GLS featured a futuristic cabin with a massive digital screen spanning nearly two-thirds of the dash area, emphasizing its tech-reliant controls. Available in three levels—GLS 450, GLS 580, and AMG GLS 63—the GLS offered a range of standard features, including remote keyless entry, nine USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 13-speaker Burmester premium sound system.

The AMG GLS 63, the test model, stood out with aggressive bodywork, quad-outlet exhaust, and a chrome, slotted grille inspired by the AMG GT supercar. Inside, it featured a performance-inspired flat-bottomed sport steering wheel with a leather strip at top-dead-center. The GLS 63's adaptive, adjustable air suspension and multiple drive-mode settings, controlled by a dial on the steering wheel, provided a dynamic driving experience, while E-Active Body Control ensured a composed ride over rough roads.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by 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 with RWD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist.

Acceleration from the twin-turbo V6 was strong, though the engine note lacked the V8 rumble. 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, providing a hint of athleticism. However, it felt huge around town, with a tight turning radius, parking assist system, and numerous camera views aiding maneuverability.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, while the GLS 580 had a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with 483 hp and 516 lb-ft. Both engines used a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes' 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The AMG GLS 63, with a hand-crafted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, produced 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 174 mph.

The AMG GLS 63's adaptive air suspension adjusted ground clearance between 7.9 and 8.5 inches, enhancing cornering and obstacle clearance. It featured double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, providing precise cornering. Multiple drive-mode settings, controlled by a dial on the steering wheel, adjusted throttle response, transmission mapping, suspension stiffness, steering feel, and exhaust mode. E-Active Body Control ensured a smooth ride over rough roads, and the GLS handled like a smaller car, making it easily maneuverable in the city.

Entering the 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up into the SUV, though available power running boards helped. Inside, the 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the optional Luxury Package, offered exceptional comfort, with power-adjustable pedals and a heated steering wheel. The second row could be configured with a three-person bench or two captain’s chairs, with an optional center console. Triple-zone climate control and heated rear seats ensured comfort across all three rows.

The Navigator's third-row seat provided ample legroom and thigh support, unmatched by competitors. Cargo volumes were 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. The longer Navigator L offered 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered three rows of spacious seating, with ample headroom and legroom for first- and second-row occupants. Seven-passenger seating was standard, with optional second-row captain’s chairs reducing capacity to six. The third row was suitable for full-size adults, a rarity among three-row SUVs. The GLS had 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 42.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87.4 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The GLS featured numerous storage compartments, including spacious in-door bins, a combination cup-holder/wireless-charging pad, and a center console with butterfly doors. While the total cargo space was slightly less than the outgoing GLS, it remained competitive in the full-size luxury SUV class.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive technology, taking time to load content. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services with 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 Reserve’s Luxury Package included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system with three listening profiles. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display. The test vehicle lacked the optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, which featured dual 10-inch displays, wireless headphones, Slingbox access, Roku media streaming, and Apple and Android compatibility.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a massive touch screen and a simple trackpad. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though a USB-C cable was required. The MBUX voice-control system responded to "Mercedes" or "Hey Mercedes," understanding complex commands. The digital dash extended to the fully-digital instrument panel, both controlled by touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel.

The GLS's infotainment system had a learning curve but made the extensive technology more manageable. The dramatic glass screen and touch-sensitive controls provided a futuristic and user-friendly experience.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came standard with Lincoln Co-Pilot360, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning with trailer coverage, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Reserve trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the RWD model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS included standard safety features such as Active Brake Assist, forward-collision avoidance, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, automatic parking assist, a surround-view camera system, a driver-drowsiness monitor, and crosswind assist. Available safety tech included lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, adaptive cruise control, and a following-distance indicator. The GLS also had a full array of airbags, traction control, self-tensioning seatbelts, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.