2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe, with its Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork, presented a balanced aesthetic that was neither offensive nor overly striking. Despite its resemblance to an athletic sneaker from certain angles, the GLE Coupe managed to maintain a sophisticated appearance. Inside, the vehicle was as luxurious as expected, featuring high-end materials like Nappa premium leather, a Dinamica simulated suede headliner, and brushed aluminum trim. The dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment design added a high-tech touch, while ambient lighting enhanced the driving experience at night.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring aimed for a more opulent feel. The exterior, though generally appealing, was let down by plain wheel designs that didn't match the vehicle's high price tag. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence and soft-close doors added a touch of elegance. Inside, the Aviator was undeniably fancy, with patterned metal trim, gloss black surfaces, chrome accents, and rich caramel-hued leather seats. However, some elements, like the chrome detailing on the switchgear and the stitching on the seats, felt less luxurious than expected. The key fob also felt too lightweight and plasticky for a vehicle of this caliber.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 429 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 384 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 rpm to 5,800 rpm. The engine featured EQ Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that added extra power when needed and helped conserve fuel. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 19 mpg, but our test vehicle achieved 18.5 mpg. The GLE 53 Coupe also boasted a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and an AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system with fully variable torque distribution. The AMG Dynamic Select system offered multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Slippery, Individual, and Off-road. The AMG Active Ride Control suspension and AMG Performance brakes further enhanced the vehicle's performance.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with a 75-kilowatt electric motor, generating 494 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 630 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. The EPA estimated an electric driving range of 21 miles and a combined fuel economy of 23 mpg in hybrid mode. During our test, the Aviator achieved 24.3 mpg over 94.7 miles, with 34.8 miles covered on electricity. The Aviator offered multiple driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Tow/Haul. The Dynamic Handling Package with an adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension helped manage the vehicle's added weight, providing a flat, predictable cornering stance. However, the Aviator's steering felt heavy and numb, and the vehicle lacked the fun-to-drive factor, even in Excite mode.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe could technically seat five people, but it was more comfortable for four, especially if the rear passengers were adults. The front seats offered numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, making them comfortable for long drives. The back seat provided ample legroom, and the cargo hold offered 27.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 63.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Additional comfort features included a four-zone automatic climate control system, heated armrests, and an in-cabin fragrance system.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring prioritized comfort with a four-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and massaging 30-way Perfect Position front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, with a center console for storage and controls. However, the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access, making it unsuitable for adults. With the third-row seats in use, the Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe came standard with the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens, a navigation system, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging. The Burmester surround-sound audio system was also standard. MBUX was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition technology that responded well to commands. Optional features included gesture recognition, augmented video for navigation, a head-up display, and an upgraded Burmester 3D high-end surround-sound system.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, Lincoln Connect, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. However, it ran on the outdated Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system provided excellent sound quality, and the Phone As A Key digital key system allowed for keyless entry and start. The digital instrumentation and head-up display were also standard, with the latter remaining visible even with polarized sunglasses. The front and rear parking sensors and surround-view camera system were useful for parking, and the Active Parking Assist 2.0 system could handle parallel and perpendicular parking.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe was equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Pre Safe Sound system emitted a "pink noise" tone before a collision to protect hearing. The Driver Assistance Package added 15 additional systems, including Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, and Active Lane Change Assist. The GLE Coupe's safety systems were refined and accurate, with lane-keeping assistance that engaged decisively when needed. Crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, but the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring came with Co-Pilot360 1.5, Co-Pilot360 1.5 Plus, and Co-Pilot360 2.0 driver aids, depending on the trim level. Our test vehicle included automatic high-beam adaptive-pixel headlights, adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. The driver aids performed well on straight highways with light traffic but struggled in curves and dense traffic. The steering wheel controls were unnecessarily complicated. The standard Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but the Grand Touring model had not been rated.