2021 Lincoln Aviator vs. 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE Comparison

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz both vie for the dollar of luxury midsize SUV buyers. Here’s how they compare.

Lincoln Aviator

2021 Lincoln Aviator Starting Price: $52,195 | Price Yours or View listings near you

Above Average: Luxe interior treatment; potent standard engine; quiet ride.

Below Average: Plug-in hybrid’s range; no available sport version; pricey top trims.

Consensus: The 2021 Lincoln Aviator is a luxury SUV in the mold of the Navigator. It prioritizes a smooth, quiet ride and has an impressively powerful standard engine as well as an available PHEV. The opulent cabin offers interesting color and materials choices.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE Starting Price: $55,800 | Price Yours or View listings near you

Above Average: Dazzling tech features; sophisticated chassis; potent available turbo V8s; luxurious cabin.

Below Average: Base engine is only a 4-cylinder; small third-row seat option; AMG 63 S gas mileage; extremely expensive top models.

Consensus: The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE is a true luxury SUV with a wide range of offerings from plush and to pulse-quickening. The latter is much more true this year with the arrival of four new AMG models.

Aviator vs. GLE: Midsize battle royale

Lincoln Aviator

The Lincoln Aviator is a new 2020 entry that revives a briefly used nameplate from the past. The Aviator rides on a rear-drive biased architecture shared with the Ford Explorer but customized for Lincoln with an adaptive suspension and different powertrains. The base engine is a 400-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 paired with a 10-speed automatic and RWD or AWD. The towing capacity is 6,700 pounds. A plug-in-hybrid that’s exclusive to Lincoln makes 494 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque when the V6 and electric motor are working in concert. With a full charge, the battery can drive the Aviator up to 21 miles. AWD is optional with the base engine and standard on the PHEV. The PHEV’s fuel economy in hybrid mode is 23 mpg, against 20 mpg for the V6 with AWD and 21 mpg for the V6 with RWD.

The Aviator’s styling mimics the larger Navigator both inside and out. Seating is for six or seven with an acceptably spacious third row. Luggage space is generous with 18.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 41.8 aft of the second row, and a maximum of 77.7 cubic feet. The upscale environs include a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, and available 30-way-power “Perfect Position” front seats.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

The Mercedes-Benz GLE offers a plethora of powertrains. The GLE 350 starts with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo which, like all GLE models, is paired with a 9-speed automatic. Offered with rear-wheel drive or AWD, this engine’s 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque are adequate but most buyers will prefer the effortless thrust of the 6-cylinder or V8 models. These models also employ a 48-volt starter-generator that smooths automatic engine restarts and makes for silky takeoffs.

The standard suspension delivers a smooth ride, but the available E-Active Body Control is more sophisticated, able to raise the car for off-roading. It also adjusts the ride based on info from the Road Surface Scan system. Meanwhile, the AMG Active Ride Control counteracts body roll and even leans into turns. The expected active safety features are standard. The available Active Stop-and-Go Assist and Active Steering Assist offer a measure of semi-autonomous operation. Five-passenger seating is standard with a small third-row seat optional except on the GLE 63 S. Twin 12.3-inch screens serve as the instrument cluster and infotainment. These displays are the centerpiece of the high-tech interior. Say, “Hey Mercedes,” and the MBUX software responds to commands.

Similarities

Seating for up to seven; upscale interiors; standard driver-safety assists.

2021 Lincoln Aviator Advantages

Lower starting price; powerful base engine; roomier standard third-row seat; available plug-in hybrid.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE Advantages

Sophisticated handling; available sport variants; impressive semi-autonomous driving capability; high-tech cabin.

Final Recommendation

The Aviator is a more credible luxury offering than Lincolns of yore, with two potent engine choices, a smooth ride, and a quiet cabin. It also boasts a roomy (standard) third row. Still, the Mercedes-Benz GLE is a level above in its technology and handling once you move beyond the GLE350. The Mercedes does cost more but most luxury buyers likely will find that it’s worth more.

Ready to buy a Lincoln Aviator or Mercedes-Benz GLE? Shop for a one now near you