2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC showcased a timeless aesthetic with its soft curves and rounded edges, a design language that Mercedes-Benz consistently applied across its portfolio. The GLC managed to blend modern aggression with its menacing LED headlights while maintaining a more approachable look compared to competitors like the Lexus NX. The long hood and wide grille gave the GLC a dramatic stance, reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan, emphasizing its car-like characteristics. Inside, the GLC’s cabin was a masterpiece of automotive design, featuring flowing lines and a minimalist approach that elevated the interior to an art form. The floating center touchscreen with rounded edges and the overall soft lines made the GLC’s interior the benchmark for compact luxury SUVs.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator received subtle styling updates, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, along with an updated Lincoln Embrace nighttime welcome illumination sequence. The front end was restyled, though it drew mixed reactions due to its Audi-esque grille. Despite this, the Navigator continued to impress with its high-quality materials and mid-century modern design inside. The new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme added a touch of elegance, resembling a twilight sky. The Navigator’s interior updates, including the new Sync 4 infotainment system with a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen, ensured it remained competitive in the luxury SUV market.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive or optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select with Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes. Despite these performance features, the GLC 300 was more about balance and refinement than outright sportiness. The AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 variants provided more power, with the GLC43’s twin-turbo V6 delivering 385 horsepower and the GLC63’s twin-turbo V8 offering up to 503 horsepower in the 63 S model.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The Navigator’s towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The updated adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview technology and a new electronic brake booster improved ride quality and braking response. The Navigator handled various driving conditions with ease, from smooth highways to snowy and muddy terrains, thanks to its four-wheel drive, 9.7 inches of ground clearance, and adaptive suspension.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 provided 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, dropping to 19.4 cubic feet with the seats up. The GLC Coupe’s fastback profile reduced these figures to 49.4 and 17.6 cubic feet, respectively. The GLC offered decent rear-seat space and ample storage options, including a sizable center console and deep door pockets. The Coupe’s low roofline compromised headroom, making the conventional SUV a more practical choice.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to offer exceptional comfort with its 30-way power-adjustable front seats, which were heated, ventilated, and massaging. The second-row captain’s chairs also featured heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The third-row seats provided roomy accommodations, maintaining the Navigator’s reputation for a comfortable third row. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet with the second row collapsed. The long-wheelbase Navigator L increased these figures to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, center console touch controller, and advanced voice-control system. The system was intuitive, offering both touch and controller options for navigating menus. The steering wheel had touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the infotainment screen. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though switching between the GLC’s radio and smartphone apps required navigating through menus.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator upgraded to the Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The new system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and featured a user-friendly interface similar to modern smartphones. The Navigator also included physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV provided access to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The test vehicle’s 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC came standard with automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, hands-free parking assist, and a driver drowsiness monitor. Optional safety features included a 360-degree parking camera, dynamic cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning. The parking and proximity sensors were overly sensitive, but these could be deactivated if desired.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system became standard. Intersection Assist could automatically brake during unsafe movements, while Road Edge Detection steered the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 handled parking maneuvers, and ActiveGlide provided semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways. ActiveGlide performed well but required the driver to remain attentive.