2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE

In 2023, the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class received a subtle exterior makeover that went largely unnoticed by many. The changes were so minor that even experts had to look closely to spot them. A notable feature was the new Mercedes star logos adorning the front grille, which added a clever and cute detail. The updated headlights and taillights were more noticeable when compared side-by-side with the previous model. LED headlights became standard, while multi-beam LED headlights were offered as an option.

The GLE 450e model tested was finished in an elegant Twilight Blue metallic color, which was a no-cost option, and it featured sleek 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, priced at $1,100. These wheels enhanced the SUV’s aesthetics, although Mercedes offered more standard choices, including 19- and 20-inch alloys. In total, there were seven wheel designs and ten exterior colors to choose from.

Inside, the GLE exuded class and luxury, boasting Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery with natural grain brown walnut trim. These additions cost $1,620 and $160, respectively, but were considered investments well worth it. The interior offered ten color choices and five trim options, including brushed aluminum, black piano lacquer, gray oak, and brown linden wood. The cabin's overall quality and robust appearance made it one of the best in its segment.

In contrast, the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus debuted with a more sophisticated and streamlined design, marking a potential new direction for Lincoln’s styling. The new grille design was particularly impressive, featuring LED lighting that extended through the grille and illuminated the Lincoln star logo, creating a stunning visual effect. The rear of the vehicle mirrored this horizontal aesthetic with a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports. A unique design twist was seen in the profile, with door handles integrated into the beltline, placed higher up than usual.

The interior of the Nautilus stood out with a massive 48-inch curved display that served as the centerpiece of the cabin. High-quality materials, ambient lighting, and a variety of textures like open-pore wood and fine leather made the interior inviting. However, the piano key shifter style retained from mid-1950s Lincoln designs might not appeal to everyone.

The Jet Appearance Package, available for an additional $3,000, offered two-tone paint, black exterior trim, and black 20- or 22-inch wheels. This package also included some unique interior elements depending on the model.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class was engineered to accommodate various preferences with several powertrain options, provided that potential buyers were prepared to spend at least $63,805. The range included the GLE 350, GLE 450, GLE 450e, and GLE 580, with two additional AMG variants, the AMG GLE 53, and AMG GLE 63 S. Engine choices ranged from turbocharged four- and six-cylinders to a twin-turbo V8 producing 603 horsepower in the AMG GLE 63 S.

The GLE 450e, equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor, delivered a robust 381 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. The performance was channeled to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission, achieving a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.4 seconds. While official EPA estimates were unavailable, an electric-only driving range of approximately 40 miles was anticipated, requiring users to cover significant distances before the gas engine activated. The transition between gas and electric power was seamless, though the regenerative brakes sometimes felt a bit numb.

The suspension system was commendably supple, providing a smooth ride on various road surfaces, a characteristic tested on particularly rough pavements. Despite the GLE’s sizeable dimensions – over 196 inches in length and 76 inches in width – it remained maneuverable thanks to its sophisticated steering. This made the GLE 450e an appealing option over many competitors, including other GLE variants.

Conversely, the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This combination delivered smooth power application and unobtrusive shifts. For an extra $1,500, the hybrid setup added electric assist, boosting the power output to 310 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, with an impressive EPA estimated 30 mpg in combined driving compared to 24 mpg for the gas-only engine. The hybrid variant offered a substantial range of over 600 miles, making it a practical choice for long journeys.

All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard on the Nautilus, accompanied by five driving modes. For those looking to optimize their driving experience, the adaptive suspension was recommended. It allowed adjustments for a range of conditions, from normal city driving to more demanding terrains.

The hybrid Nautilus featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which notably avoided the common pitfalls of CVT, such as droning or overly eager engine speeds. While not a driver's car on par with the Porsche Cayenne or BMW X5, the Nautilus delivered sufficient performance to satisfy occasional spirited driving needs.

In the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, adults found ample space and comfort in both the first and second rows. The five-seat configuration in the GLE 450e was spacious, and light beige upholstery contributed to an airy cabin atmosphere. Visibility was excellent, an attribute that’s becoming a rarity with the trend toward smaller rear windows and greater reliance on rear-facing cameras.

Cargo capacity stood at 33 cubic feet behind the 40/20/40 split-folding second row, closely matching the BMW X5's 33.7 cubic feet but falling short of the Cadillac XT6's 43.1 cubic feet and Volvo XC90's 41.8 cubic feet. While the GLE technically offered an optional third row in its GLE 350 and GLE 450 models, it was practical only for young children due to its limited size.

The GLE 450e boasted a wealth of comfort features, including power-adjustable heated front seats with memory functions, dual-zone climate control, a power tilt/sliding sunroof, MX-Tex faux leather upholstery, and a power liftgate. Optional features included a Burmester surround-sound audio system with Dolby Atmos, ventilated front seats, massaging front seats, heated and cooled front cupholders, soft-close doors, and heated rear seats.

In comparison, the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus offered power-adjustable, heated, and cooled front seats across all trims. The pinnacle of comfort could be found in the Black Label model, featuring 24-way Perfect Position front seats with a massage function that remained active until manually turned off, a unique luxury not found in many competitors. The rear seats, while not as luxurious, provided an impressive 43 inches of legroom, surpassing the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, making it spacious for taller passengers.

The Lincoln Rejuvenate feature, similar to Mercedes’ Energizing Comfort, combined massage, lighting, and screen images to create relaxing atmospheres, enhancing the drive experience.

Cargo capacity in the Nautilus was 36 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 71 cubic feet with the seats folded down in the Premiere trim. This cargo space was more generous than that of the Lexus RX but slightly reduced in the Reserve and Black Label trims. Unlike some competitors, the Nautilus only offered seating for five, prioritizing cargo space over additional seating.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, with dual 12.3-inch screens serving as the digital instrument panel and main infotainment display. These screens could be controlled via touch, a center console pad, or touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons. Despite its extensive features, the system required a learning curve. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an improved “Hey Mercedes” voice command system.

The head-up display and augmented reality navigation were standout features for their clarity and convenience. However, the touch-sensitive steering wheel controls could inadvertently cause disruptions, such as sudden volume increases during maneuvers.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, on the other hand, boasted a massive 48-inch curved display, which was visually stunning. Customizable sections allowed the driver to display weather, audio, fuel economy, tire pressure, or trip mileage. A smaller 11.1-inch touchscreen handled basic infotainment functions with permanent HVAC control icons, although adjusting vents through menus was distracting.

The unlabelled steering wheel controls required precision and could be a distraction until users became accustomed to them. Despite some user interface challenges, the inclusion of Google maps, Alexa Built-in, wireless charging, and USB-A and USB-C ports throughout the cabin heightened the vehicle's tech appeal. Over-the-air updates ensured the software remained current.

The 2024 GLE-Class offered a comprehensive suite of active safety features, fitting for its luxury image. Standard systems included blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, hands-free park assist, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic high-beam headlights. The optional Driver Assistance package added further safety measures like active blind-spot assist, active lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, traffic sign recognition, and evasive steering assist for an additional $1,950.

In all, these features integrated seamlessly into everyday driving, providing confidence without being overly intrusive.

In the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, the standard Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite included lane-keeping assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and emergency braking. Blue Cruise 1.2, Lincoln’s hands-free driving tech, was also notable. While available as a trial for lower trims, it came standard for four years on the Black Label trim. This system combined adaptive cruise and lane-keeping with new automatic lane-change assist and In-Lane Repositioning to ease highway driving.

While the 2024 Nautilus had not yet been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2023 model received five stars for frontal and side crash protection and four for rollover protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave top scores in crashworthiness for 2024 but had yet to rate front crash prevention systems.