2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB had a boxy and tall design compared to other small Mercedes SUVs. It sat on a front-wheel-drive platform with an optional 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. The vehicle featured a long, flat hood, an upright windshield, large side windows, and a nearly vertical rear liftgate. The front and rear overhangs were symmetrical, emphasizing its functional design over aesthetics. The GLB prioritized interior volume, highlighted by robust roof rails ready for action.

The test vehicle, painted in Mountain Gray metallic and equipped with the AMG Line design package and 20-inch AMG wheels, offered a stylish and attitude-filled appearance. Prices started at $36,600, but the tested GLB 250 4Matic, loaded with options, had a sticker price of $55,890. The interior, with dual 10.25-inch screens, ambient lighting, and high-quality materials, made the GLB feel special. However, some metallic trim pieces revealed its more affordable status within the Mercedes-Benz lineup.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator, sharing a platform with the Ford Expedition, distinguished itself with unique front and rear styling, including the Lincoln Embrace lighting system. The Navigator featured a lattice-type grille, illuminated star logo, fender vents, and full-width taillights. The black roof pillars gave the glass a wraparound appearance. The new Reserve Monochromatic Package added a custom look with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels.

The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, had a price of $92,385. The Dark Slate leather interior included 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 of the Navigator.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB came in GLB 250 and GLB 250 4Matic specifications, both equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 221 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque between 1,800 and 4,000 rpm. Mercedes claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds, but the wide torque band and snappy eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission made it feel faster. The DCT powered the front wheels unless equipped with 4Matic AWD, which optimized grip and performance. An Off-Road mode locked the drivetrain in a 50:50 power split for maximum traction.

The test vehicle, with an adaptive damping suspension and 20-inch AMG wheels, delivered a soft, pillowy ride in Comfort mode, ideal for city and highway driving. In Sport mode, the suspension provided greater road feel and the turbo powertrain responded quickly. The GLB's unusual driving position and large windows made it fun to drive on mountain roads, despite its modest engine specifications. However, the brakes faded prematurely during enthusiastic driving, and the fuel economy of 21.4 mpg fell short of the EPA's 26-mpg estimate.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 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. Lincoln Drive Modes tailored the powertrain to specific driving conditions, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb with the towing package. The Navigator's maximum towing capacity was 8,700 pounds with RWD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist.

The twin-turbo V6 provided strong acceleration with a subtle engine note. The Navigator averaged 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, below the EPA's 18-mpg estimate. The 22-inch wheels and adaptive damping suspension struggled with impact harshness on imperfect roads, especially in Excite mode. However, body motion control was excellent, giving the Navigator a hint of athleticism. The SUV felt huge around town, but a tight turning radius, parking assist system, and numerous camera views improved maneuverability.

The Mercedes-Benz GLB offered more interior space than the larger and more expensive GLC, with an optional third row of seats. The GLB comfortably accommodated four adults, with ample headroom, tall seating positions, large windows, and an available panoramic sunroof. The second-row seat slid forward and back, providing flexibility for third-row passengers or cargo. The front seats offered power adjustment but lacked heating and ventilation, which were available as options. The second-row seat was best suited for two passengers due to the vehicle's narrow width.

Cargo space in the GLB measured 22 cubic feet behind the second-row seat, expanding to 62 cubic feet with the seat folded down. This was more than the GLA and GLC, thanks to the traditional SUV roofline.

The Lincoln Navigator required climbing up into the SUV, but once inside, passengers enjoyed ample space. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with power-adjustable pedals and a heated steering wheel. The second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or two captain's chairs, with an optional center console and audio controls. Triple-zone climate control and heated rear seats ensured comfort across all three rows.

The Navigator's third-row seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were 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. The longer Navigator L offered even more space, with 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB's Premium Package, costing an extra $2,200, replaced the standard 7-inch screens with twin 10.25-inch displays, offering lush graphics, customization, and fast response. The MBUX infotainment system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and natural voice recognition. The Multimedia Package added a navigation system with augmented video, using the forward-facing camera for turn-by-turn directions. The Parking Assistance Package included a high-definition surround-view camera system and semi-autonomous parking assistance.

The 12-speaker Burmester premium sound system provided excellent audio quality and stylish aluminum speaker grilles.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was slow to load content, but a new Sync 4 platform was expected to improve this. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, 911 Assist, a Lincoln Way app, and wireless device charging. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed the smartphone to function as the vehicle key. The voice recognition system worked reasonably well but was not fully natural.

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 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 Mercedes-Benz GLB came standard with several safety features, including a driver monitoring system, backup camera, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and a Pre-Safe front collision preparation system. Emergency call service was also standard. Optional safety features included second-row side-impact airbags and blind-spot monitoring with Exit Warning Assist. The Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assistance, and automatic emergency stop assistance. Enhancements to Pre-Safe technology included rear-impact preparation and ear damage protection.

The Lincoln Navigator featured the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems, 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. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability was standard on Reserve trim. The Navigator's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance operated with refinement, and the lane-departure warning system produced a subtle vibration in the steering wheel.

The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the RWD model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.