2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE presented a smoother and less sculpted design compared to its predecessors. The softened lines and removal of most edges and scalloping contributed to a reduced drag coefficient from .32 to .29, making it a class leader according to Mercedes. The front end saw the most significant transformation, resulting in a handsome, if unoffensive, appearance. Inside, the GLE offered extra headroom and legroom due to a 3.1-inch wheelbase extension, allowing for an optional third row. However, the $720 Emerald Green Metallic paint on the test model showed a surprising amount of orange-peel effect, which was disappointing for a premium paint option.

The GLE 350 started at $53,700, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Adding the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system cost an additional $2,500. The test model included various upgrades, such as black leather upholstery, a cabin air purifier, and fragrance system, multi-contour front seats with a massage feature, and a Burmester stereo. However, some options, like heated and cooled cupholders and soft-close doors, seemed excessive. The Driver Assistance Package Plus added autonomous safety features for $2,250, while the MBUX Technology Package offered advanced infotainment options for $1,600. The total price of the test model was $78,370.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator carried over the sharp styling of the 2020 model, defined by crisp lines and heavy use of chrome. The Aviator's design language, inspired by the Navigator, set it apart from its rivals. Inside, the Aviator's cabin was characterized by comfort and warmth, with plenty of soft-touch materials and chrome accents. The center console rose elegantly to the standard 10.1-inch touchscreen, and the piano button shifter added a unique touch. The Aviator also featured soothing chimes for alerts, contributing to its luxurious feel.

The Aviator offered various trims, including Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring. The Standard trim included synthetic leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, and a power liftgate. The Reserve trim added upgraded leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Grand Touring trim featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain, adaptive headlights, and Lincoln's Multi-Contour Seats with a massaging function. The Black Label trim included the Convenience and Luxury packages, while the Grand Touring Black Label added a Dynamic Handling Package and nearly every optional feature as standard equipment.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided sufficient power at speed, but felt sluggish from a stop due to turbo lag and the vehicle's nearly 5,000-pound weight. The 9-speed automatic transmission was decent but not as smooth as the 8-speed in the BMW X5. The GLE 350 4Matic's starting price of $56,200 was competitive, but the X5's standard turbocharged inline-6 offered more power and better performance. The GLE 350's fuel economy was impressive, with 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator's Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration and a smooth swell of power, though the Aviator's heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," with the Aviator excelling on highways and in cul-de-sacs but struggling in city driving.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE's extended wheelbase provided significant interior space, especially in the second row. The GLE offered between 33.3 and 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, with a total of 79.4 cubic feet available with the seats lowered. The interior featured dual 12.3-inch screens, setting a new standard for dash design and customizability. The seats were comfortable, with a "Seat Kinetics" system to prevent cramping, though the steering wheel position could obstruct the screen. The upgraded Burmester stereo provided excellent sound, but the bass caused vibrations through the brake pedal.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, which increased to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded. With all rear seats folded, the Aviator provided 77.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The second row was particularly spacious, with captain's chairs, a center console, and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. The power-button door releases were a potential functional issue, as they might be problematic if the battery died.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the new MBUX infotainment system, which was deep and daunting at first but became second nature with use. The system included two 12.3-inch screens and a head-up display (HUD), offering options like augmented reality for directions and traffic signals. The natural voice control system was less effective in the GLE compared to the A-Class, but the steering-wheel controls were intuitive. The driver-assistance tech was better than BMW's but still had issues at high speeds, where it could become confused and fight the driver.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system. The landscape layout of the screen was more natural than the tall layout in the Ford Explorer. The Sync 3 system was easy to use, with a sensible menu layout and redundant controls in the center stack. The Aviator also included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which were well-presented on the screen. The fully digital instrument panel and optional HUD provided clear, crisp graphics.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE had no current testing data from the NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered an impressive suite of autonomous safety systems. Features like Attention Assist and Seat Kinetics helped prevent driver fatigue. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist systems were less effective at high speeds, causing the car to bounce around the lane and become confused by shadows or unexpected lines.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came well-equipped with standard driver assistance features as part of the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade from the IIHS.