2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was a vehicle that, despite its promise, often fell short in terms of exterior design. Its aggressive front end hinted at potential, but past the A-pillar, it became reminiscent of its predecessors, lacking the distinctiveness found in competitors like BMW or Audi. The AMG trim attempted to add sportiness, but it struggled to compete visually with rivals such as the BMW X5 M or Porsche Cayenne Turbo. However, the interior of the GLE was a different story. It was a masterpiece of quality and design, with a bold red and black color scheme and luxurious materials like wood, metal, and leather. The interior was filled with thoughtful touches, such as LED-outlined grab handles and a spacious layout, though some controls felt flimsy. Overall, the GLE's interior exuded a sense of luxury and comfort, albeit at a high price point.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Aviator embraced a unique design language that set it apart from its competitors. Its sharp lines and chrome accents gave it a distinctive and elegant appearance, reminiscent of the larger Navigator. Inside, the Aviator offered a warm and comfortable cabin, with soft-touch materials and a well-organized layout. The piano button shifter added a touch of sophistication, and the soothing chimes contributed to the overall sense of luxury. The Aviator's trims ranged from Standard to Black Label Grand Touring, each offering a range of features and options. The Grand Touring trim, in particular, impressed with its plug-in hybrid powertrain and luxurious amenities like massaging seats and a premium sound system. The Aviator's interior was a testament to Lincoln's commitment to comfort and style.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled in performance, offering a range of powertrains and advanced suspension systems. The base GLE 350 featured a 255 hp engine, while the GLE 450 boasted a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 362 hp. The AMG GLE 53 took it further with 429 hp, thanks to an electric supercharger. The GLE 580 and AMG GLE 63 S delivered even more power, with 483 hp and 603 hp, respectively. The GLE's hybrid system, integrated with a 48-volt battery, provided additional power and seamless engine start-stop functionality. The GLE's air suspension, particularly the E-Active Body Control, offered exceptional ride quality and handling, allowing the vehicle to lean into turns like a motorcyclist. Despite its size, the GLE handled like a smaller sedan and could tow up to 7,700 pounds.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a robust performance with its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration and a smooth power delivery, although the Aviator's size and weight resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The Aviator's drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing the driving experience. While the Aviator excelled on highways and in suburban settings, it struggled with maneuverability in tight spaces.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious interior, with most models accommodating five passengers and an optional third row for seven. The second-row seats featured power controls for added comfort, and the cargo capacity ranged from 34 cubic feet behind the second row to 75 cubic feet with all rows folded. The Coupe variant, however, had reduced cargo space due to its sloping roofline. The GLE's usability was enhanced by the MBUX infotainment system, which simplified controls and offered intuitive features like seat adjustments and driving mode shortcuts.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided ample cargo space, with 18.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The second-row captain's chairs and digital control panel added to the comfort and convenience. However, the Aviator's power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality in case of a battery failure. Despite this, the Aviator's interior was well-designed, offering a pleasant and spacious environment for passengers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was equipped with a 12-inch touchscreen featuring Interior Assistant, which responded to hand gestures. The system was user-friendly, with search bars and larger type for easy navigation. The GLE offered a range of advanced features, including a Track Pace app for AMG models, Seat Kinetics for comfort adjustments, and a customizable head-up display. The ambient lighting and navigation system added to the high-tech experience, while the natural voice assistant provided convenience and entertainment.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system. The landscape layout of the screen made for a natural and intuitive user experience. The Aviator came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons for easy access. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display offered clear and crisp graphics, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, thanks to its top scores in crash tests and standard forward emergency braking. The GLE offered a range of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and semi-automated control. Optional features like 360-degree cameras and Pre-Safe Impulse Side added to the GLE's safety credentials.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, which included automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added features like reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator received top marks from both the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.