2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

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 leading to an upright windshield, large side windows, and a nearly vertical rear liftgate. The front and rear overhangs were symmetrical, contributing to its balanced appearance. The GLB prioritized interior volume over sleek aesthetics, highlighted by robust standard roof rails.

Our test vehicle, painted in Mountain Gray metallic and equipped with the AMG Line design package and 20-inch AMG wheels, exuded style and attitude. Prices started at $36,600, but our loaded GLB 250 4Matic had a sticker price of $55,890. The interior featured dual 10.25-inch screens, ambient lighting, and a Burmester premium sound system. The cabin combined high style with simplicity, though some metallic trim pieces revealed its more affordable status within the Mercedes lineup.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, carrying over from its 2020 debut, showcased a design language inspired by the larger Navigator. It featured crisp lines and chrome accents, making it a sharp-looking vehicle. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth. Soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen dominated the dash, complemented by a piano button shifter.

The Aviator's trims ranged from Standard to Black Label Grand Touring. The Standard trim included synthetic leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, and a power liftgate. The Reserve trim added upgraded leather, four-zone climate control, and a 12-speaker Revel premium stereo system. The Grand Touring trim, which we tested, featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain, adaptive headlights, and massaging front seats. The Black Label trims added luxury features like a 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system and a Dynamic Handling Package.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB came in GLB 250 and GLB 250 4Matic specifications, both powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, though it felt faster due to its wide torque band and snappy eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 4Matic AWD system optimized grip and performance, with an Off-Road mode for maximum traction.

Equipped with an adaptive damping suspension and 20-inch AMG wheels, the GLB offered 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. Despite its modest engine specs, the GLB delivered a fun driving experience, though the brakes faded prematurely during enthusiastic driving. Fuel economy was 21.4 mpg, below the EPA's 26-mpg estimate.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator's Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available AWD. The Grand Touring trims added a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with up to 21 miles of electric-only range.

The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, though the Aviator's heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The long wheelbase made tight maneuvers challenging. The drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," with "Excite" delivering a spirited driving experience. The Aviator excelled on highways and in suburban settings but struggled in city driving.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered more interior space than the larger GLC, with an optional third row of seats. It comfortably accommodated four adults, with ample headroom, tall seating positions, and large windows. The second-row seat slid forward and back for added flexibility. Cargo space measured 22 cubic feet behind the second row and 62 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second row, especially with captain's chairs, offered the best seating experience, featuring a center console and digital control panel. The power-button door releases were a potential functional issue, raising concerns about battery failure.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB's Premium Package, costing $2,200, upgraded the standard 7-inch screens to twin 10.25-inch displays with lush graphics 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, and the Parking Assistance Package offered a surround-view camera and semi-autonomous parking. The 12-speaker Burmester sound system was a highlight.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, with a landscape layout for a natural feel. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons for easy use. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB came standard with a driver monitoring system, backup camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Pre-Safe front collision preparation. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assistance, and more. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator included the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and parking sensors. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.