When the Sterling Heights, Warren, and Center Line, MI roads call for a family vehicle that sets you apart, a 3-row luxury SUV is the perfect answer. Two models in the sector that prove to be prime choices are the Lincoln Navigator and the Mercedes-Benz GLS, but which one will your family love more?
The Crest Lincoln team is here to help you decide with our Lincoln Navigator vs. Mercedes-Benz GLS comparison. We’ve put these two top-runners side by side, allowing you to easily see their similarities and, more importantly, their differences, so you can choose your perfect match.
STANDARD HORSEPOWER
PASSENGERS
MAX CARGO
Both Lincoln and Mercedes-Benz are known for their robust performance, giving you an edge while behind the wheel as well as providing plenty of power. Let’s take a peek under their respective hoods to see what each one has to offer.
If you’re looking for a smooth drive that’s lively and strong, the Lincoln Navigator delivers. With its standard twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 engine, a whopping 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque fuel your drives with vigor. Plus, it comes equipped with five selectable Lincoln Drive Modes to match the road and your mood. The GLS, on the other hand, offers a 3.0L turbocharged engine that tops off at 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. This Mercedes-Benz also offers a selection of preset drive modes.
When it comes to towing along your preferred recreational toys, these SUVs know how to use all that power. The GLS has a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds. While impressive, it falls short of the Lincoln Navigator, which can tow a full 1,000 pounds more with its 8,700-pound towing capacity!
Both SUVs also boast silky-smooth handling thanks to their advanced automatic drivetrains. With the Mercedes-Benz GLS, guess-free shifting is standard with its 9-speed automatic transmission.
Once again, the Lincoln Navigator comes out on top, balancing power with comfort. Its 10-speed SelectShift® automatic transmission avoids the highs and lows associated with fewer gears and provides a smoother, streamlined ride.
As large SUVs, the Lincoln Navigator and the Mercedes-Benz GLS offer spacious cabins with plenty of room for your family. If you need extra seating or additional cargo room, though, you might want to go with the Lincoln SUV.
With three rows of seats for up to eight passengers compared to only seven in the GLS, you can avoid making that second trip or taking another vehicle for family outings. Plus, you’ll also find extra wiggle room in the front row of the Lincoln Navigator, so you and your copilot can be supremely cozy:
Lincoln Navigator |
vs | Mercedes-Benz GLS
|
|---|---|---|
| 41.8 inches | Front Headroom | 39.4 inches |
| 43.9 inches | Front Legroom | 40.3 inches |
Your second-row passengers will find similar amounts of room in either model; however, riders in the third row will prefer the Lincoln Navigator thanks to its 36.1 inches of legroom, which surpasses the 34.6 inches found in the GLS.
When it comes to cargo capacity, the Lincoln Navigator pulls ahead yet again. With up to 36 cubic feet behind the third row and up to a generous 120.2 cubic feet behind the first row in the Navigator L (Long wheelbase), this SUV easily transforms into a hauling machine. Even its standard configuration provides 20.9 cubic feet with all seats upright and a maximum cargo capacity of 103.3 cubic feet when the second and third rows are folded down.
The GLS, on the other hand, starts with only 17.4 cubic feet and maxes out with 84.7 cubic feet when the rear seats are lowered—quite a bit less than its Lincoln competitor. So, when you want to accommodate everyone and everything without limits, the Lincoln Navigator is the better choice.
Luxury SUVs come with certain expectations, and Lincoln and Mercedes-Benz continue to raise the bar. Both the Lincoln Navigator and the Mercedes-Benz GLS sport the latest features in their cabins, giving you even more reason to slide behind the wheel every morning.
When you’re on the road, you need to have a way to remain informed, engaged, and connected. Each model comes outfitted with multimedia systems that will become your hub for entertainment, connectivity, and information while on the go. This is displayed on a stunning 13.2-inch touchscreen in the Lincoln model and a 12.3-inch touchscreen in the GLS. In both models, you’ll also enjoy brand-specific versions of Enhanced Voice Recognition to have hands-free voice control of your favorite apps and features.
The Lincoln Navigator and the GLS both come standardly equipped with smartphone integration via wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ and a wireless charging pad. Still, the Lincoln model goes further by also providing:
- Personal Profiles - Program up to 3 key fobs to customize various settings, including seat and mirror positions, climate, audio, etc.
- Phone as Key – You'll never have to dig for your keys again. Use the Lincoln Way™ App to program your phone to gain entry into your vehicle and start the engine.
Unfortunately, the Mercedes-Benz GLS goes without either of these useful, time-saving technologies.
That’s not the only way the Lincoln Navigator outshines in its cabin, either. With these standard features, you’ll truly be in the lap of luxury:
- Ambient lighting
- Hands-free liftgate
- 14-speaker sound system
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated and ventilated second-row seats
The GLS also equips a standard power liftgate, ambient lighting, and heated/ventilated front seats. However, its audio system has fewer speakers, and heated/ventilated rear seats are only an optional upgrade.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is truly a stunning vehicle. However, the Lincoln Navigator with its stronger performance, more room inside the cabin, and tons of next-gen features, will make you the talk of the streets no matter where you travel.
To see if this 3-row luxury SUV is right for your family commutes throughout Sterling Heights, Warren, and Center Line, MI, schedule a test drive at Crest Lincoln today!
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