2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out by not mimicking its competitors' styles. Instead, it adopted the successful design language of the larger Navigator, resulting in a sharp-looking vehicle with crisp lines and tasteful chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 offered a more subtle, less flashy look compared to its rivals. The base model avoided gaudy grilles and excessive chrome, while the AMG and Maybach versions provided more visual drama with flared wheel arches, muscular grilles, and larger wheels. Inside, the GLS 450's fairly basic interior still felt luxurious, with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen were well-integrated, enhancing the overall luxury experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator offered robust acceleration and a smooth power delivery, although it exhibited noticeable body roll in corners and was somewhat awkward to maneuver in tight spaces.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, assisted by the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. The gasoline engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with the electric motor adding 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque in short bursts. The GLS 450 provided ample power and smooth acceleration, but its suspension lacked the refinement expected in a luxury SUV, resulting in poor body control and excessive motion over bumps. The GLS 450 had a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, slightly less than some competitors.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered 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 folded. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring trim, provided ample space and comfort with captain's chairs and a digital control panel. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, with an optional six-seat version featuring second-row captain’s chairs. The second-row seats could slide forward and fold for third-row access, with the bench seat sliding fore and aft to increase legroom. The GLS offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 42.7 cubic feet with the third row folded and 84.7 cubic feet with both rows folded. The air suspension made loading and unloading cargo easier, but some ergonomic issues, like the touchscreen's reach and small sun visors, detracted from the overall experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The system was easy to use, with a sensible menu layout and redundant controls in the center stack. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display provided clear, crisp graphics.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came with the MBUX infotainment system, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, navigation, and a 13-speaker Burmester audio system. The system offered multiple control options, with voice recognition being the most effective. However, the touchpad controller was cumbersome, and the navigation system occasionally suggested inefficient routes.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came well-equipped with standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS included standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera system, Crosswind Assist, parking assist, and Pre Safe. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and advanced driver-assistance systems. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.