2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE presented a smoother and less sculpted design compared to its predecessors, with softened lines and removed edges and scalloping. This contributed to a reduced drag coefficient from .32 to .29, making it a class leader according to Mercedes. The most noticeable change was the front end, which provided a handsome, if unoffensive, appearance. Inside, the GLE offered extra headroom and legroom due to a 3.1-inch extended wheelbase, and for the first time, an optional third row. However, the $720 Emerald Green Metallic paint showed a surprising amount of orange-peel effect, which was disappointing for a premium paint option.

The GLE 350 started at $53,700, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Adding the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system cost an additional $2,500. The interior was luxurious, with options like black leather upholstery, a cabin air purifier, and fragrance system, although the latter was not well-received. The multi-contour front seats with a massage feature were a highlight, but heat and ventilation required extra costs. The GLE also offered numerous other options, including heated rear seats, power rear-window blinds, and 4-zone auto climate control, which quickly increased the price. The final walkaway price for the test model was $78,370.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator differentiated itself from the Ford Expedition with unique front and rear styling elements and the Lincoln Embrace lighting system. It featured a lattice-type grille insert, illuminated star logo, and full-width taillights. The new Reserve Monochromatic Package added a custom look with body-color grille and side mirror enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. The Navigator was available in standard and long-wheelbase versions, with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive.

The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, came with extra-cost paint and both the Luxury and Reserve Monochromatic option packages, totaling $92,385. The interior featured 30-way Perfect Position front seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions, a dashboard with mid-century modern styling cues, and a wide storage console. Digital instrumentation, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and piano-key transmission controls set the Navigator apart from the Expedition. The panoramic glass roof and high-quality materials added to the luxurious feel.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 used a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. While it provided sufficient power at speed, it felt sluggish from a stop due to turbo lag and the vehicle's nearly 5,000-pound weight. The start-stop system was inelegant, and the 9-speed automatic transmission, though decent, lacked the smoothness of the BMW X5's 8-speed. The GLE 350 4Matic's starting price of $56,200 was competitive, but the BMW X5's standard turbocharged inline-6 offered more power and better performance. The GLE 350's fuel economy was 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, outperforming the Ford Expedition. A 10-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the rear wheels, with an optional 4WD. Lincoln Drive Modes tailored the powertrain to various driving conditions, and the Navigator's maximum towing capacity was 8,700 pounds with RWD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD. Pro Trailer Backup Assist made towing easier. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, but fuel economy was a downside, averaging 16.4 mpg on the testing loop. The adaptive damping suspension struggled with impact harshness on imperfect roads, but body motion control was excellent. The Navigator felt huge around town but offered features like a tight turning radius, parking assist, and numerous camera views to aid maneuverability.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE's extended wheelbase provided significant interior space, especially in the second row. Depending on the options, it offered between 33.3 and 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and 79.4 cubic feet with the seats lowered. The interior featured dual 12.3-inch screens, setting a new standard for dash design and customizability. The seats were comfortable, with a "Seat Kinetics" system to prevent cramping, though the lumbar support was tricky to adjust. The steering wheel felt great but often blocked part of the screen. The upgraded Burmester stereo provided excellent sound, but the bass caused vibrations through the brake pedal.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it offered ample room for all passengers. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, though finding the right settings took time. The second row could be configured with a bench or captain's chairs, with the latter offering a large center console and audio controls. Triple-zone climate control and heated rear seats ensured comfort across all rows. The third-row seat provided excellent legroom and thigh support, unmatched by competitors. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with the standard model offering 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103.3 cubic feet total. The longer Navigator L increased these measurements to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the new MBUX infotainment system, which was deep and daunting at first but became second nature with use. The steering-wheel controls were intuitive, and the driver-assistance tech was better than BMW's, though still imperfect at high speeds. The dual 12.3-inch screens and HUD offered options like augmented reality, but the voice control system was less effective than in the A-Class. The GLE was equipped for future technology, allowing communication with surrounding infrastructure.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was slow to load content, but a new Sync 4 platform was on the horizon. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, 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 as natural as other luxury systems. 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, though the test vehicle lacked the optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE had no current testing data from NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered an impressive suite of autonomous safety systems. Attention Assist monitored eye contact and head position to anticipate drowsiness, and Seat Kinetics adjusted seating position to prevent fatigue. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were less effective at high speeds, causing the car to bounce around the lane and get fooled by shadows or unexpected lines.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came standard with Lincoln Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Reserve trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Navigator's adaptive cruise control operated smoothly, and the lane-keeping assistance was subtle yet effective. The lane-departure warning system's vibration was hard to detect due to road surface vibrations. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, though the RWD model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.