2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator had evolved significantly from its predecessors, which were essentially dressed-up Ford Expeditions. While it shared some structural elements with the Expedition, the Navigator distinguished itself with unique design features, including a distinctive turn signal stalk. The Navigator Reserve, priced at $92,000, exuded luxury and elegance, making it a compelling choice even for those accustomed to high-end brands like Mercedes and Range Rover. Its exterior design featured simple rectilinear shapes, a body-color grille, and tasteful chrome accents, creating a classy and understated look. The Pristine White model with black wheels and an illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking during winter tests in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Inside, the Navigator impressed with its seven color palettes, especially the Slate Gray of the test truck. The interior design showcased a taste for finer details, with wood trim layered behind a 10-inch touchscreen, a floating center console with chromed switches, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials were of high quality, and panel gaps were tight. The Black Label trims elevated the luxury further with more textures and softer leather. The Perfect Position seats, adjustable in 30 different ways, added to the comfort and luxury, making the Navigator one of the most refined and spacious SUVs in its class.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 Coupe, on the other hand, had a more athletic and modern appearance. The Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork gave it a sleek and sporty look. Despite the trend of SUV coupes, the GLE 53 Coupe managed to strike a balance between style and functionality. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe variant, with its 603-horsepower V8 engine, was shelved for 2022, leaving the AMG GLE 53 Coupe as the top performance model. Priced at $77,800, the test vehicle's MSRP exceeded $100,000 with additional options.

Inside, the AMG GLE 53 Coupe offered a high-tech and luxurious experience. The dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment design, along with Nappa premium leather, a Dinamica simulated suede headliner, and brushed aluminum trim, created a sophisticated cabin. Ambient lighting added to the driving pleasure at night. The interior design, while complex, was user-friendly with time, and the lack of traditional controls was compensated by the intuitive MBUX system. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe's interior was both comfortable and supportive, making it a pleasure to drive on highways and winding roads alike.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided impressive acceleration and a satisfying engine note. The Navigator's 4WD system was smooth and responsive, offering a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging in the teens, consistent with the EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined rating.

The Navigator's adaptive dampers were standard, but the suspension felt less refined compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The steering was looser, and the brakes felt soft on initial application. Despite these shortcomings, the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser. The paddle shifters added a touch of sportiness with their quick reaction time and rev-matched downshifts.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 Coupe featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The engine's EQ Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, provided additional power and improved fuel efficiency. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 19 mpg, and the test vehicle achieved 18.5 mpg. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe's performance was further enhanced by a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and an AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD system with fully variable torque distribution.

The AMG Dynamic Select system offered multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Slippery, Individual, and Off-road, while the AMG sport exhaust system added to the driving experience. The AMG Active Ride Control suspension and AMG Performance brakes maximized performance, making the GLE 53 Coupe nimble and composed in various driving conditions. The speed-sensitive variable-ratio power steering made urban driving and parking easier, while the AMG Active Ride Control suspension effectively handled speed bumps and imperfect pavement.

Overall, the GLE 53 Coupe felt taut and nimble in city and suburban settings, with a reserve of performance for more spirited driving. In Sport+ mode, the SUV excelled on challenging roads, demonstrating impressive grip, braking performance, and suspension control. However, its size and weight were noticeable on tight roads, and the loud exhaust note in Sport+ mode could be intrusive. In Sport mode, the GLE 53 Coupe offered a more balanced and rewarding driving experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample interior space, resembling a small bedroom in terms of square footage. It could comfortably accommodate six adults, with the option for a seventh passenger in the third row's middle seat. The second-row captain's chairs were manually reclining and tilting, with an optional bench for a total of eight passengers. The Navigator's boxy shape contributed to its generous cargo space, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more cargo space, with 34, 73, and 120 cubic feet, respectively.

The Navigator Reserve featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate control system. The optional second-row console mimicked the front with integrated climate and stereo controls. However, the Navigator lacked some features offered by German competitors, such as five-zone climate control and heated third-row seats. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with numerous settings for thigh extensions, bolsters, backrests, headrests, lumbar support, and massage programs. The large windows and high driving position provided excellent visibility, although parking could be challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 Coupe, while technically a five-seater, was more comfortable for four passengers, especially if the rear occupants were adults. The sport-bolstered, multi-contour front seats offered numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage, making them comfortable for long drives and supportive during spirited driving. Forward visibility was good, but rear visibility was limited, necessitating the use of available cameras.

The GLE Coupe's back seat provided ample legroom and foot space for adults, and the 27.5 cubic-foot cargo hold was generous. Folding the second-row seats expanded the cargo volume to 63.2 cubic feet. The GLE Coupe offered various comfort upgrades, including a four-zone automatic climate control system, a Warmth and Comfort Package with heated armrests and rapid-heating front seats, and an Air Balance in-cabin fragrance system, adding to the luxurious experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's technology, while functional, felt somewhat outdated compared to newer competitors. The 10-inch touchscreen, though intuitive and easy to use, seemed small compared to the advanced displays in vehicles like the Cadillac Escalade. The Navigator's infotainment system lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the cameras were low-resolution. However, the software was user-friendly, with fast and accurate voice recognition. The Navigator also offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connectivity options.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 Coupe featured the advanced Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, with dual 12.3-inch screens under a single piece of glass. Standard features included navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mercedes Me connected services. The MBUX system was user-friendly, with beautifully rendered graphics, logical menu structures, and multiple interaction methods. The natural voice recognition technology, activated by saying "Hey Mercedes," was highly effective. However, the touchpad on the center console could be inadvertently activated.

Optional features included an MBUX Interior Assistant with gesture recognition, an augmented video feature for navigation, a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and an upgraded Burmester 3D high-end surround-sound system. These options enhanced the GLE Coupe's technology and user experience, making it a highly advanced and connected vehicle.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance (four stars for 4WD models, three stars for RWD models). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. The Navigator lacked knee airbags but offered optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row, a rare safety feature. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering and lane-tracking capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe came equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Pre Safe Sound system emitted a "pink noise" tone before a collision to protect hearing. The Emergency Call Service was free and available for the vehicle's lifetime. The optional Driver Assistance Package added 15 additional safety systems, including Traffic Jam Assist, which provided steering assistance in low-speed traffic. The Active Lane Change Assist and Active Emergency Stop Assist systems were particularly impressive, offering refined and accurate performance.

The GLE Coupe's lane-keeping assistance technology was highly effective, engaging when needed without being intrusive. The adaptive cruise control's route-based speed adaptation function, however, could be a source of irritation. Crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, but the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.