2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 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 added a touch of elegance. Inside, the Black Label model offered a choice between the Chalet and Flight design themes, with our test vehicle featuring light gray premium leather upholstery in the Chalet theme. The Black Label trim included nearly every available feature, such as a simulated suede headliner and luxury floor mats, though some chrome-plated plastic pieces looked a bit cheap.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE received a subtle exterior makeover that was hard to notice even for trained eyes. The front grille featured clever Mercedes star logos, and the headlights and taillights had minor updates. Standard LED headlights and optional multi-beam LED headlights were available. The GLE 450e test vehicle, finished in Twilight Blue metallic and equipped with 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, looked particularly handsome. The interior of the GLE 450e exuded class and luxury with Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery, complemented by natural grain brown walnut trim. Mercedes offered a wide range of interior color choices and trims, making the cabin one of the highest quality in its segment.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder engine came with front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel drive as an option. The V6 engine, standard on the Black Label and optional on the Reserve, required all-wheel drive. The Nautilus featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, which adjusted powertrain behavior, steering effort, and adaptive suspension settings. The twin-turbo V6 delivered a smooth and powerful performance, making the Nautilus a comfortable and quiet road-tripper with an 18-gallon fuel tank and an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, including turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines, and a twin-turbo V8 producing 603 horsepower in the AMG GLE 63 S. The GLE 450e, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, developed a combined output of 381 hp and 479 pound-feet of torque. This power was sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLE 450e could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and offered an estimated electric-only driving range of 40 miles. The transition between gas and electric power was seamless, and the suspension provided a smooth and comfortable ride even on rough roads. The GLE's sophisticated steering made it feel maneuverable despite its size, and the GLE 450e's performance exceeded expectations.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label featured smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control and acoustic glass. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments and massage programs. Rear passengers had heated seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. The Nautilus offered 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 68.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. Practical storage space was adequate but not exceptional, with some hard-to-access areas.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided ample space for adults in both the first and second rows, with a light and airy cabin feel. The GLE 450e offered 33 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, comparable to rivals like the BMW X5 but less than the Cadillac XT6 and Volvo XC90. The GLE's optional third-row seat was limited to the GLE 350 and GLE 450 and was suitable only for young children. The GLE 450e came with power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a power sunroof, and a power liftgate. Additional features included a Burmester audio system, ventilated front seats, massaging front seats, a head-up display, and heated rear seats.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. Sync 4 offered over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The Black Label model included connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system was intuitive and user-friendly, with physical stereo and climate controls. The Nautilus also offered Phone as a Key, allowing a smartphone to unlock and start the vehicle.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with two 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument panel and main infotainment screen. The system could be controlled via touch, a control pad, or touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an improved "Hey Mercedes" voice command system. The head-up display and augmented reality navigation were praised for their clarity and convenience. However, the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel could be overly sensitive, causing occasional issues.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Black Label added Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE included standard safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, hands-free park assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver attention monitor. The optional Driver Assistance package added active blind-spot assist, active lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and evasive steering assist. These features were unobtrusive and effective during everyday driving.