2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 presented a more subtle and less flashy appearance compared to its competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, Land Rover Range Rover, and Lincoln Navigator. Mercedes avoided a gaudy grille, unlike the BMW X7 or Lexus LX, giving the GLS a refined look. However, other GLS models like the AMG GLS 63 and Maybach GLS 600 offered more visual drama with features like flared wheel arches, muscular grilles, and prominent exhaust tips. The Maybach version added chrome accents and a traditional hood ornament, enhancing its luxurious appeal.

Inside, the GLS 450's interior, though basic by GLS standards, still exuded luxury with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen were well-integrated, framed nicely by the upright dashboard. Despite some ergonomic issues, such as the touchscreen being hard to reach, the overall interior felt high-quality and appropriate for a luxury SUV.

Lincoln made subtle styling changes to the 2022 Navigator, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, along with an updated Lincoln Embrace nighttime welcome sequence. The front end received a new grille, which some felt lacked the elegance of previous models. Despite this, the Navigator's interior continued to impress with quality materials and a mid-century modern design. The new Constellation display theme added a unique touch, resembling a twilight sky with twinkling stars.

The 2022 Navigator featured a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen, enhancing its tech appeal. The system was user-friendly, with physical controls for volume and climate functions, and supported both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The rear-seat entertainment system, now with Amazon Fire TV, provided access to popular streaming services, making long trips enjoyable for passengers. The new 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered an exceptional listening experience.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 was powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes’ EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. This setup produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft available from the electric motor in short bursts. The GLS 450 offered a smooth and powerful driving experience, with the inline-six engine providing better balance and refinement compared to a V6.

However, the GLS 450's air suspension, while capable of raising and lowering the ride height, exhibited poor body control, leading to a bouncy and uncomfortable ride over bumps. The GLS 450 had a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which was adequate but less than some competitors like the Lincoln Navigator, which could tow up to 8,700 pounds in certain configurations.

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. This powertrain provided robust performance, with a pleasing engine note under acceleration. The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration, and the Trailer Reverse Guidance technology made towing easier.

Lincoln updated the Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview, which prepared the suspension for upcoming road imperfections. This feature, combined with the Navigator's 22-inch wheels, provided a smooth and controlled ride. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response, addressing previous complaints about soft brakes. The Navigator's twin-turbo V6 effortlessly handled various driving conditions, including snow and mud, thanks to its four-wheel drive and 9.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, featuring a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat and two third-row seats. An optional six-seat version replaced the bench with individual captain’s chairs. The second-row seats could slide forward and fold for third-row access, and the bench seat could slide fore and aft as one piece, increasing legroom by 3.4 inches. The GLS offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 84.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

Despite its spacious interior, the GLS had some ergonomic issues, such as a touchscreen that was hard to reach and center console grab handles with no clear purpose. The cargo space was slightly behind larger competitors like the Lincoln Navigator, but the GLS made loading and unloading easier with one-touch power-folding seats and a power tailgate.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to offer exceptionally comfortable 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain’s chairs, now with massaging, heating, and ventilation, provided a luxurious experience for rear passengers. The third-row seat remained roomy and supportive, making the Navigator a standout in terms of passenger comfort.

The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 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 provided even more cargo space, making it ideal for large families and those needing to haul significant loads.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and natural-language voice recognition. The 13-speaker Burmester audio system was standard, with an optional head-up display. The voice recognition system, activated by saying “Hey Mercedes,” was user-friendly and effective, reducing the need to use the cumbersome touchpad controller.

While the touchscreen and instrument cluster had good graphics, the GLS lacked the augmented-reality navigation feature available in the latest S-Class sedan. The embedded navigation system also had issues, such as suggesting a route that would have added an hour to a trip, which undermined confidence in its reliability.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering a more modern and user-friendly experience. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and featured physical controls for volume and climate functions. Sync 4’s voice recognition system was improved but not perfect, with some issues in finding specific locations and music genres.

The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, now with Amazon Fire TV, provided access to popular streaming services, enhancing the in-car entertainment experience. The new 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality, making the Navigator a top choice for audiophiles.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came with standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera system, Crosswind Assist, parking assist, and Pre Safe, which prepared the vehicle for a potential collision. However, many advanced driver-assistance features, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, were optional.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. Intersection Assist could automatically brake to prevent unsafe movements, while Road Edge Detection steered the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 handled parking tasks, and ActiveGlide provided semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways. While ActiveGlide performed well, it required the driver to remain attentive, as it could not handle all driving situations independently.