2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2025 Lincoln Aviator

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE exhibited subtle yet impactful aesthetic changes. Its sharper headlights and taillights, along with black fender flares over the wheel arches, added a touch of modernity. The grille, enhanced with chrome inserts, contributed to its refined appearance. The optional AMG Line package further accentuated its sporty exterior, complemented by standard 19-inch wheels, with an option to upgrade to 21-inch wheels. Inside, the cabin maintained the classic Mercedes-Benz elegance, featuring leather and soft-touch surfaces. However, the combination of open-pore walnut trim with Bahia Brown seating gave it a somewhat dated look, reminiscent of a 1970s wood-paneled room.

In contrast, the 2025 Lincoln Aviator, built on a rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the Ford Explorer, boasted classic design proportions. Its blunt nose, short front overhang, and appealing dash-to-axle ratio contributed to its sports wagon-like appearance. However, the 2025 styling updates made it appear more generic, especially with the optional Jet Appearance Package. Inside, the Aviator offered a plush interior with a classic architectural sensibility, avoiding the screen-heavy approach of other Lincoln models. The Aviator's remote keyless entry fob, though, was a letdown, made of cheap plastic with chrome detailing. Despite this, the Aviator's Phone as a Key technology and touchpad entry system provided modern convenience.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, including the entry-level GLE 350 with 255 horsepower, the mid-line GLE 450 with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, and the top-tier GLE 580 with a 4.0-liter V8. However, the test vehicle was the new 450e plug-in hybrid, which combined a 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. Despite its power, the 450e was about a half-second slower to 60 mph than the GLE 450 due to the weight of its 23.3-kWh battery. The battery allowed for an impressive 48 miles of all-electric range, with the possibility of 55 miles after charging. The 450e's driving dynamics were comfortable but not particularly sporty, with light steering and body roll. It featured an 11-kW onboard charger and could accept a 60-kW DC fast charge.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator came with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered various driving modes, including Excite, Conserve, Normal, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. The test vehicle featured adaptive air suspension, which firmed up in Excite mode, though the Aviator's driving experience remained more focused on comfort than excitement. The V6 provided ample power for acceleration and passing, but the observed fuel economy was 17.7 mpg, below the EPA rating of 20 mpg. The Aviator's ride quality was generally pleasant, though the 22-inch wheels and thin tires struggled with rough surfaces. The adaptive air suspension helped maintain composure, but the Aviator's driving character was more about comfort than athleticism.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e excelled in interior luxuries, offering heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats. Heated and cooled cup holders, customizable ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and soft-close doors added to the comfort. The Burmester stereo system provided an excellent audio experience. However, the sun visors did not extend, which was a minor inconvenience. The GLE-Class could tow up to 7,700 pounds and featured Trailer Maneuvering Assist technology. Cargo space was generous, with 31.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator's Perfect Position front seats offered 30-way adjustability, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, ensuring comfort. The second-row captain's chairs were also comfortable, with heating and ventilation, though lacking massage functions. The third-row seats were less accommodating for adults, with limited legroom and low cushions. Storage space was excellent, with a smartphone charging pad, cupholders, and a sizable bin in the center console. The Aviator provided 19.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 42.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 78.6 cubic feet with all seats down.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and the MBUX infotainment system with a 12.3-inch screen. While not as large as screens in other Mercedes models, it was user-friendly, with a touchpad on the center console and voice control via "Hey, Mercedes." The augmented reality navigation system was a standout feature, overlaying numerical addresses and turn arrows on a video feed. The MBUX system also included an off-road page with useful information. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, though connectivity issues were noted with the iPhone. USB-C ports provided ample charging options.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator featured a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Lincoln Digital Experience. It included Google Built-in and Alexa Built-in, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Google Assistant struggled with voice prompts in the test vehicle. The Aviator's 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system delivered excellent audio quality. The head-up display provided a widescreen presentation of data, including lane departure warnings and blind-spot alerts. The Elevated Journey app offered mindfulness coaching for stress relief during drives.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered advanced driver aids, with blind-spot monitoring as standard. The optional Driver Assistance Package Plus added active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, and lane-change assist. The GLE received a five-star side crash rating and a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded it top scores in crashworthiness, crash avoidance, and seat belts and child restraints, with an "Acceptable" headlight rating for cars equipped with the Digital Light package.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including active blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, intersection assist, evasive steering assist, and reverse braking assist. The reverse braking assist system was overly sensitive in certain situations. Adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist worked well, and BlueCruise provided hands-free driving assistance on approved highways. The Aviator earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS, indicating strong safety performance.