2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

Past iterations of the Lincoln Navigator bore similarities to dressed-up Ford Expeditions. The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, though, carved out a distinct presence despite sharing some structural elements with the Expedition. Its design was a testament to elegance and understatement—an impressive feat for a three-ton truck riding on 22-inch wheels. Rectilinear shapes dominated the design, from the grille (body-color in the Monochromatic Package) to the windows, headlights, and full-width taillight assembly. Chrome accents on door trims, grille, and fender logos enhanced its classy look. During winter tests in Connecticut and Massachusetts, the Pristine White Navigator, adorned with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and an illuminated Lincoln logo, presented itself as the perfect snow chariot. The vehicle’s light show upon locking and unlocking was not just a spectacle but also functional, illuminating the powered running boards with soft fades and spotlights.

Stepping inside, the Navigator dazzled with its refined interior. It offered seven color palettes, with our Slate Gray test model showcasing finer details effortlessly. The layered wood trim behind the 10-inch touchscreen, the push-button gear selector blending into the center stack, the floating center console with chromed switches, and the minimalist digital instrument panel all came together in muted modernity. The materials were high-quality and panel gaps impressively tight.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class in its base GLS 450 form was designed to be subtler and less flashy compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, Range Rover, or the Lincoln Navigator. However, for buyers seeking more visual drama, Mercedes offered various upgrades. The AMG GLS 63 featured flared wheel arches, a muscular grille, and 21-inch AMG wheels. The Maybach version took it a step further with chrome trim everywhere, traditional hood ornaments, power running boards, and 23-inch wheels.

Inside, the GLS 450’s cabin, although basic by GLS standards, was luxurious with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. Finishing touches, like the intricate speaker grilles and rectangular air vents, lent a touch of ruggedness to its refinement. The GLS also boasted a well-integrated digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen under a single piece of glass, framed gracefully by an upright dashboard, creating an overall sophisticated and user-friendly environment.

Under the hood of the 2021 Lincoln Navigator lay the robust twin-turbo V6 from the Ford Raptor. With a displacement of just 3.5 liters, this engine churned out an exhilarating 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This power made the Navigator feel surprisingly sprightly, accompanied by satisfying intake snarls and turbo whooshes through its well-insulated cabin. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations, the Navigator responded swiftly, defying its size. The 4WD system smoothly transitioned between RWD and 4WD High, easily outmaneuvering GM competitors. Notably, the Navigator boasted a massive towing capacity—8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models.

However, this power came at a cost to fuel economy, averaging in the teens, in line with the EPA’s 17-mpg combined rating (16 city, 20 highway). Although the adaptive dampers were standard, the Navigator’s suspension fell short of the Escalade’s magnetic shocks and air springs, resulting in a less supple ride over imperfect pavement. The steering was looser and less precise than the Escalade, and the brakes had a softer feel on initial application. Nevertheless, the Navigator’s low-end thrust felt like a freight train, providing a plush, powerful highway driving experience. Paddle shifters added a semblance of sportiness with their quick reaction times and rev-matched downshifts.

Conversely, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine combined with a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes’ EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. The gasoline engine itself produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with the electric motor adding 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque in short bursts. This system made the engine’s start/stop mechanism more aggressive and reduced the engine’s workload by powering most accessories.

Future models like the GLS 580 4Matic, AMG GLS 63, and Maybach GLS 600 4Matic were expected to resume production, featuring a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, delivering up to 603 hp in the AMG version. The GLS 450’s inline-six engine provided sufficient power, with the electric assist blending seamlessly. Despite being an inline-six rather than a V6, the GLS 450 was smoother and better balanced, fitting perfectly into the luxury vehicle category.

However, the standard air suspension, while capable of adjusting ride height and cushioning impacts, exhibited poor body control. The GLS 450 bounced excessively over bumps and leaned disconcertingly in corners, undermining its luxury feel. With a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, it fell short of the Navigator’s prowess, which could tow up to 8,700 pounds in specific configurations.

Inside the 2021 Lincoln Navigator, space was abundant. The vehicle resembled a small bedroom, accommodating six adults comfortably with ample head, leg, and arm room. Designed as a seven-passenger SUV, its third-row middle seat was best left for children. The second row featured standard manually-reclining captain’s chairs (with an optional bench for a total of eight passengers), enhancing versatility. The cargo space was substantial—19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 cubic feet total. Opting for the long-wheelbase Lincoln Navigator L increased capacity to 34, 73, and 120 cubic feet respectively. The Navigator had a handy rear glass that opened separately from the tailgate, useful when the back was packed.

The Navigator Reserve boasted heated second-row seats, three-zone climate control, and an optional console mirroring the front setup with integrated climate and stereo controls. However, it lacked features like five-zone climate control and heated third-row seats, which German rivals offered. While the second-row seats were removable for maximum storage, they did not electrically recline, a feature Lincoln could consider for future models.

The front seats offered unparalleled adjustability, with various components like thigh extensions, bolsters, and backrests controllable individually. Coupled with large windows and a high driving position, the Navigator’s visibility was excellent, though parking it felt akin to maneuvering a bus.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, standard with a seven-seat configuration, offered an optional six-seat version with second-row captain’s chairs. The second-row seats could slide forward and fold for third-row access, with legroom adjustable by 3.4 inches. The GLS excelled in legroom measurements, thanks to its long wheelbase.

The GLS offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats up, expanding to 84.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The three-row setup inherently limited cargo space with seats in place, but folding the third row increased cargo capacity to 42.7 cubic feet, or 48.7 cubic feet with the second row slid forward. Although it fell short compared to the Navigator and Escalade, Mercedes facilitated easy cargo loading with one-touch power-folding seats and a power tailgate. The air suspension could lower itself to ease the process further.

However, some ergonomic issues persisted. The touchscreen and instrument cluster looked impressive but were difficult to reach. The center console grab handles served no clear purpose, and although cleverly designed, the sun visors weren’t adequately sized to block sunlight effectively.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen—a size that seemed small compared to the state-of-the-art displays in competitors like the Escalade. Its infotainment system, while lacking in wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity, was intuitive and user-friendly, sharing its interface with Ford models but skinned uniquely for Lincoln. Despite slower reaction times, finding and accessing functionalities were straightforward. Voice recognition was fast and accurate. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good, though not exceptional. The infotainment system lacked onboard apps and wireless software updates, requiring an external WiFi network for updates.

Lincoln's suite included onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app. Noteworthy features were a smartphone ignition key and five years of remote app functions, with SiriusXM traffic data available for six years. Rear entertainment included Roku media streaming and other USB, HDMI, and wireless connections. Drive mode switches came with beautiful instrument panel animations, presenting a simple and non-overwhelming dashboard that contrasted sharply with the complexity of some German setups.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class came equipped with the advanced Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, navigation, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system's natural-language voice recognition was notably effective. The vehicle also included a 13-speaker Burmester audio system and an optional head-up display.

MBUX provided various control options, from voice commands responding to "Hey Mercedes" to touchpads on the steering wheel, a touchpad controller, and the touchscreen itself. The voice recognition system excelled, easily understanding normal speech and allowing drivers to keep their attention on the road. The touchpad controller, designed for menu navigation, was overly sensitive and challenging to use compared to simpler rotary controllers in other vehicles.

Both the touchscreen and instrument cluster delivered attractive graphics, but the GLS lacked the augmented-reality navigation found in the latest S-Class sedan. Additionally, while the embedded navigation system functioned well generally, it occasionally suggested unnecessarily lengthy routes, denting user confidence.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator earned an overall five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), scoring five stars in every test except for rollover resistance (four stars for 4WD models and three stars for RWD). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had yet to test this generation. The Navigator offered optional inflatable rear seat belts for added safety, though knee airbags were absent. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator’s self-steering and lane-tracking capabilities lagged behind the competition.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class boasted an extensive list of 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 tightens seat belts, closes windows, and adjusts seats in anticipation of a rollover). It even emitted a "pink noise" to protect ears during a collision.

However, Mercedes left some features as optional, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and second-row side airbags. More advanced safety features, like Active Steering Assist for lane centering, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Trailer Stability Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Active Emergency Stop Assist, required additional payment. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had released crash-test ratings for the GLS-Class at the time of publication.