2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a new front fascia with a trapezoidal grille and angled LED headlights, echoing the aggressive designs of the A-Class and CLS-Class. The taillights had square LEDs within the same housing, making it hard to distinguish from previous models unless parked side by side. While the GLC wasn't unattractive, it lacked visual excitement from most angles, especially in the mass-market GLC 300 model. The AMG versions, with their wide tires, vertical-bar grille, and lower stance, added some visual drama. The GLC Coupe’s fastback roof brought a touch of entertainment to the design. Despite its beige paint and 18-inch wheels, the test car often blended into parking lots, making it easy to lose.

What truly set the GLC apart was its interior, considered one of the best in the business. The all-black interior with stained gray ash wood was rich and luxurious, featuring a continuous sweep of wood from the three circular air vents, padded and stitched leather on the seats and doors, and cold metal covers on the stereo speakers. The fit, finish, and overall quality were impeccable. The major change for 2020 was a standard 10.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous smaller displays. The steering wheel had more buttons and felt thicker and softer, identical to those in the E-Class and other new models. A 12.3-inch display could replace the analog gauges and central display in the instrument cluster.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its chrome and brightwork, differentiating it from the Ford Expedition on which it was based. The Navigator featured unique front and rear styling elements and the Lincoln Embrace lighting system, which sequentially illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner. The lattice-type grille insert mimicked the Lincoln star logo, and the illuminated star in the center added a distinctive touch. Fender vents with simulated exposed front door hinges and full-width taillights were also Lincoln-specific design hallmarks. The black roof pillars gave the Navigator’s glass a wraparound appearance.

For 2020, the new Reserve Monochromatic Package added to the Navigator’s custom look, with body-color grille and side mirror enhancements combined with 22-inch black-painted wheels. The test vehicle was a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, extra-cost paint, and both the Luxury and Reserve Monochromatic option packages, priced at $92,385. The Dark Slate leather interior included Lincoln’s 30-way Perfect Position front seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The dashboard featured mid-century modern styling cues, and the wide, two-tiered storage console provided ample space. Digital instrumentation, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and piano-key transmission controls on the dashboard set the Navigator apart from the Ford Expedition. The panoramic glass roof bathed the interior in natural light, and high-quality materials were used throughout.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came with a new turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. The 9-speed automatic transmission routed power to either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD), with the GLC 300 Coupe coming standard with 4Matic. The transmission featured major reprogramming, allowing the GLC 300 to hold gears longer and downshift earlier, improving its responsiveness compared to previous models. However, the new engine still fell short in sound quality, vibration, and response compared to competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2020 AMG GLC 43 featured a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine with 385 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, delivering linear and strong power. The AMG GLC 63 4Matic Coupe's 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 produced 469 hp and 479 lb-ft, while the AMG GLC 63 S 4Matic Coupe topped at 503 hp and 516 lb-ft. The V8 models included an electronic locking rear differential, AMG-tuned adaptive dampers, and an air suspension. Despite these powerful options, the GLC 300's steering and handling were disappointing, with body roll, vague steering, and sloppy suspension control. Fuel economy for the GLC 300 4Matic was EPA-rated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, while the AMG models had lower ratings.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator offered a single engine choice, a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 generating 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the rear wheels, with an option for four-wheel drive. Lincoln Drive Modes tailored the powertrain to specific driving situations, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb with the optional 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.

Acceleration from the twin-turbo V6 was strong, with a subtle engine note. The Navigator averaged 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, with an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined. The SUV's adaptive damping suspension struggled with impact harshness over imperfect pavement, especially with 22-inch wheels and 285/45 tires. However, body motion control was excellent, lending the Navigator a hint of athleticism. Around town, the Navigator felt huge, but a tight turning radius, parking assist system, and numerous camera views helped with maneuverability.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a mix of digital and physical controls, with a steep learning curve for new Mercedes drivers. The column shifter required an upward tap for Reverse and a downward tap for Drive, while seat controls were on the doors. The MBUX system used a touchscreen, thumb pad, and touchpad to control various functions, with shortcut buttons for popular features. The GLC had enough room for four adults, but the back seat's reclining mechanism was perplexing and uncomfortable. Cargo space was 19 cubic feet behind the back seats and 57 cubic feet with them folded, less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up into the SUV, with available power running boards helping somewhat. 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 a large center console available between the captain’s chairs. The 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 seat, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second-row seat, and 103.3 cubic feet maximum. The longer Navigator L offered even more space.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX system featured augmented reality for navigation, using a windshield-mounted camera to show a live feed of the road with directional overlays. The system also used a cloud-based voice assistant for various tasks and could track behavior to suggest destinations and contacts. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with optional wireless device charging. The Off-Road Engineering Package included hill-descent control, additional driving modes, and underbody shields.

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 provided Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and wireless device charging. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed the smartphone to function as the vehicle key. 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, with an optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC was named a 2019 Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, scoring top ratings in all crash tests and for its standard forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded the GLC its highest 5-star rating in all crash tests. New for 2020 was Exit Warning Assist, which used blind-spot-monitoring radar sensors to detect approaching cyclists or cars. Other features included Pre-Safe Sound and Predictive Brake Priming.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems, 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. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability was standard on Reserve trim. 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.