Lincoln Nautilus vs Mercedes-Benz GLE:
A Head-to-Head Contest of Two Luxury SUVs
Mercedes-Benz is popular for its luxury. In the SUV segment, the German automaker showed its mastery of rolling out luxurious SUVs with the Mercedes-Benz GLE. The stand-alone SUV is stylish, offers various powertrain options (including a hybrid), and is steeped in premium features. Coming hot on the GLE's heels (and perhaps beating it hands down) is the Lincoln Nautilus. It carves out its niche in the Compact SUV segment with a unique and sophisticated style, turbocharged performance, and a massive infusion of advanced technology and style.
If we take both luxury SUVs at face value, they appear to be at par regarding performance, features, and innovation. However, a deeper evaluation of the two reveals that the Lincoln Nautilus outshines its German rival.
Exterior Design
The Mercedes-Benz GLE boasts an energetic, sleek exterior with an eye-catching facelift that squares up to the new Range Rover Sport. It features beautiful and intricate bodylines on the hood and an elegant black grille with two chrome-accentuated centerlines flanking a massive Mercedes-Benz logo. For effective engine cooling and aerodynamics, the SUV features a horizontal air intake below the grille and two massive intake vents on both sides.
Despite the GLE's sleek appearance, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus epitomizes elegance and then enhances it with an unmatched level of pampering that Lincoln offers its customers. The mid-range Reserve trim provides the perfect balance of luxury and value. For only a little over $6,000 above the Standard trim's MSRP, the Reserve version offers a panoramic roof, a 13-speaker Revel stereo system, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and 20-inch rollers that complement the Nautilus's curvy frame.
Interior Design, Cargo Space, and Technology
The interior of the Lincoln Nautilus is full of nice and elegant materials. As you move up the trim levels, you notice additional layers of more luxurious leathers, woods, and metals. Virtually everything in the Reserve trim and the flagship Black Label are finished in soft leather, while the Black Label's headliner is covered in faux suede.
For the Mercedes GLE, you get two upholstery schemes, including black and white or a two-tone espresso-brown and black. The car also comes with materials that give the interior its luxurious vibe.
Despite both cars providing spacious interiors, the Nautilus has a more stylish and comfortable cabin. It has optional massaging seats with 22-way adjustability, a push-button gear selector, and a standard digital gauge cluster. Behind the rear seat is a spacious cargo area that can accommodate 12 carry-ons. If you flatten the rear seat, you get additional cargo room to fit 27 carry-on suitcases. In the Mercedes GLE, you can stow about 26 carry-on bags if you fold down all the seats. However, if you fold only the third-row seats, you can stow away about 11 carry-on suitcases in the cargo area.
All Nautilus models feature a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a large 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen. It sports Ford's latest Sync 4 infotainment software with modern features, such as over-the-air update capabilities. The SUV has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It also has an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless smartphone charging, and a rear-seat infotainment system. For the GLE, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen display fills up virtually the entire dashboard. It allows you to interact with the car's systems in many ways.
Engine Performance and Handling
The Mercedes GLE class is available in two powertrain options: a 362-hp hybrid powertrain is available in the 450 model. However, if you choose the GLE350 model, you get a four-cylinder turbocharged engine that cranks out 255 hp. That engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that delivers that power to all wheels. This enables the 350 model to zoom from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds.
The Nautilus also comes with two engine options. The entry-level engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that delivers 250 hp. It is coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front- or all-wheel drive (AWD). The Reserve trim with AWD managed a 0-60-mph time of 6.8 seconds with the 2.0-liter turbo engine. There's also an optional 2.7-liter turbocharged V6, which pumps out 335 hp, enough power to propel the SUV from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds
Each engine delivers decent power on city streets. The V6's extra power comes in handy during highway merging and passing maneuvers. The car's adaptive suspension helps cushion impact from rough roads, providing a quality, comfortable ride.
Safety Features
All Nautilus models boast Lincoln's Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assistance features as standard. You'll also find other key safety features, including automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist with lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centering adaptive steering.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE comes with adaptive cruise control with standard features. These include blind spot monitoring, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and many more.
It's a closely contested fight, but the Lincoln Nautilus wins over the Mercedes-Benz GLE with more safety features, more engine power, and performance, better interior comfort and cargo space, and more advanced technology features.
Come to Riser Lincoln in Hot Springs, AR, and see for yourself first-hand what the Lincoln Nautilus looks and feels on the road. Our team of Lincoln specialists is ready to help you find a new or low-mileage pre-owned Nautilus to suit your taste and lifestyle. Whether you need quality vehicle servicing, accessories, and parts, call our sales department at (501) 881-4210 or fill in the form below and one of our representatives will get in touch as soon as possible.
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