2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, known for its iconic boxy design, was a vehicle that combined ruggedness with luxury. Its straight-edged, two-box design was a nod to its military origins, yet it had become a status symbol among the elite. The G-Class offered a retro exterior that stood out in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, with a hand-built construction in Graz, Austria. Inside, the G-Class featured a sophisticated design with a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment screen and a matching virtual instrument panel, allowing for a customizable and immersive driving experience. Despite its luxurious appeal, the G-Class remained a capable off-road machine, often seen in bold custom colors and adorned with extravagant features.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus presented a more refined and balanced aesthetic, especially in its Black Label trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels. The Nautilus exuded character without being overly flashy, and its Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence added a touch of elegance. Inside, the Black Label models offered design themes like Chalet and Flight, with premium leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner. While the interior was luxurious, some elements like the center console design appeared less premium. The Nautilus was available at a more accessible price point, starting at $44,225, with the Black Label trim reaching $66,825, offering a range of options for different budgets.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was a powerhouse, with the G550 model featuring a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine producing 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive, allowed the G550 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. The G-Class boasted impressive off-road capabilities, with features like Dynamic Select driving programs and adjustable suspension options. The more powerful AMG G63 variant offered 577 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Despite its size and weight, the G-Class delivered a surprisingly nimble and capable performance, though its fuel economy was less impressive, with ratings of 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway for the G550.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a different driving experience, with the standard model equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The Black Label trim featured a more powerful twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The Nautilus provided a comfortable and smooth ride, with driving modes like Comfort, Normal, and Sport adjusting the powertrain and suspension settings. During a road trip, the Nautilus demonstrated its capability as a comfortable and efficient cruiser, achieving an average of 25 mpg over 871.1 miles. While the steering lacked engagement, the Nautilus proved to be unexpectedly agile on mountain roads, with the V6 engine offering impressive performance.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class offered a spacious and functional interior, with 38.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 68.6 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. The G550 had a payload capacity of over 1,000 pounds and could tow up to 7,700 pounds. The cabin was roomy, with comfortable seats and ample storage options. However, some luxury features, like ventilated front seats, were only available as part of expensive packages. The G-Class also featured a spare tire mounted on the tailgate, adding to its rugged appeal.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label provided a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and quiet operation. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments for added comfort. While the rear seats offered heating and reclining options, legroom was somewhat limited for a midsize SUV. The Nautilus had practical storage spaces, though some were difficult to access. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 68.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class featured advanced technology, with twin 12.3-inch HD screens for the instrument panel and infotainment system. These screens were customizable, allowing drivers to create a personalized environment. The G-Class included the latest COMAND system, with unique Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel for easy navigation. The Burmester Surround Sound system provided an immersive audio experience, while standard features included WiFi, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, wireless device charging was not available.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. This system offered over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Black Label trim included connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The Nautilus also featured Phone as a Key technology, allowing smartphones to function as digital keys.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class came equipped with a range of safety features, including a rearview camera, Pre-Safe, traffic-sign assist, attention assist, active lane-keeping assist, active brake assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, the G-Class had not been rated for crash-worthiness by the IIHS or NHTSA. The active lane-keeping assist system could be abrupt, requiring drivers to understand its operation fully.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 package, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Black Label trim added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance.