2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC presented a familiar yet slightly refreshed design, with a new front fascia featuring a trapezoidal grille and angled LED headlights. While the GLC maintained a clean and understated look, it lacked the visual drama found in some of its competitors. The AMG versions, with their wide tires and vertical-bar grille, added a touch of excitement, but the standard GLC 300 was often considered visually unremarkable. However, the interior was a standout, offering one of the best in the business with high-quality materials, impeccable fit and finish, and a new 10.3-inch touchscreen that enhanced the overall experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, on the other hand, embraced a distinct design language that set it apart from its competitors. With sharp lines and tasteful chrome accents, the Aviator exuded a sense of luxury and sophistication. Inside, the Aviator's cabin was defined by comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a well-designed center console. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the overall sense of class. The Aviator's trims offered a range of features, from the Standard trim with synthetic leather upholstery to the Black Label Grand Touring with nearly every optional feature as standard equipment.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was equipped with a new turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The 9-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive or 4Matic all-wheel drive, provided improved performance over previous models. However, the engine fell short in terms of sound quality and response compared to competitors. The AMG GLC 43, with its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 385 horsepower, offered a thrilling driving experience, while the AMG GLC 63 models delivered even more power with their V8 engines. Despite these options, the GLC 300's steering and handling were disappointing, with body roll and vague steering detracting from the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, although the Aviator's size and weight resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," but the Aviator was best suited for highway driving rather than city maneuverability.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered a mix of digital and physical controls, with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system providing a user-friendly interface. The GLC had enough room for four adults, but the back seat's reclining mechanism was cumbersome. Cargo space was limited, with 19 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 57 cubic feet with them folded, falling short compared to competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, 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 in the Grand Touring model, offered captain's chairs and a digital control panel for added convenience. However, the use of power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality in the event of a battery failure.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the MBUX system with innovative features like augmented reality navigation and a cloud-based voice assistant. While some features were ahead of their time, they were not fully integrated, and the system's functionality was limited. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with optional wireless device charging, added to the GLC's tech offerings.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, offering a user-friendly interface with redundant controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the optional head-up display provided clear graphics. The Aviator's tech features were well-executed, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with features like Exit Warning Assist and Pre-Safe Sound enhancing safety. The GLC's advanced safety engineering set it apart from many competitors.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator also received high safety ratings, with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package offering a range of driver assistance features. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added additional safety features, contributing to the Aviator's strong safety performance.