2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in its Black Label trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels, was an attractive SUV. Its styling was balanced and detailed, giving it plenty of character without appearing plain. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence greeted drivers, and the Black Label model offered luxurious interior themes like Chalet and Flight, featuring premium leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner. However, some chrome-plated plastic pieces in the center console looked a bit cheap.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, particularly the GLC 300, was redesigned but retained a familiar look. The most noticeable change was the narrower taillights, but it still resembled the first-generation GLC from 2016. The interior received a significant makeover with a large vertical infotainment touchscreen and a tablet-like instrument panel, offering a modern and high-tech feel. The returning GLC Coupe models maintained their older design but still looked classy and substantive.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered two engine options. The standard and Reserve trims came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, with front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard, and all-wheel drive as an option. The Black Label trim featured a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, requiring all-wheel drive. The Nautilus had Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension adjusting accordingly. The twin-turbo V6 had an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg combined, and during a long road trip, it averaged 25 mpg.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It had a nine-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive as standard and 4Matic all-wheel drive as an option. The GLC 300 accelerated smoothly, reaching 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. The brake pedal effort was soft but effective, and the suspension favored comfort over sporty handling. The returning GLC Coupe models had similar performance, with the AMG GLC 43 Coupe offering a sportier option with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine producing 385 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label featured smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control. The front seats were heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable, with optional 22-way power seats offering massage programs. The rear seats were heated, but legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. The cargo space was 37.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 68.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC's front seats were adjustable and comfortable for long distances, with synthetic leather upholstery that looked like genuine hides. The interior had ample storage, including a large center console bin with a wireless charging pad. The rear seats offered good legroom but limited headroom for taller passengers. The standard GLC had 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space, while the GLC Coupe had 17.6 cubic feet due to its sloping roofline.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system was intuitive, with physical stereo and climate controls, and the Phone as a Key feature allowed the smartphone to act as a digital key.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC had an 11.9-inch touchscreen with sharp graphics and immediate responses, but its lower placement on the dash made it distracting to use. The MBUX infotainment system had excellent voice recognition but could interrupt music or podcasts. Standard connectivity included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available Burmester 3D Surround Sound system.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Black Label added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but had not been assessed by IIHS.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 had standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a blind-spot monitor. The optional Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. The previous GLC received top safety scores, and the new model was expected to perform similarly.