2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 Coupe presented a design that was neither offensive nor overly striking, with its Selenite Gray paint and 22-inch forged aluminum wheels lending it a sporty yet refined appearance. The SUV's styling, reminiscent of an athletic sneaker, was complemented by polished brightwork, creating a balanced aesthetic. Inside, the GLE 53 Coupe offered a luxurious experience with high-end materials such as Nappa premium leather and a Dinamica simulated suede headliner. The dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment system added a high-tech touch, while ambient lighting enhanced the driving experience at night. Despite its complexity, the interior design was user-friendly over time, though initially challenging for newcomers.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV with a design that balanced character and elegance without appearing plain. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence added a touch of sophistication. The interior featured light gray premium leather upholstery, with other colour options available, creating a decadent atmosphere. However, some elements, like the centre console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces, appeared less premium. The Nautilus Reserve model in Canada had a starting MSRP of $59,800, excluding destination charges. Our test vehicle included the optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, which proved ideal for long drives.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 Coupe was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6 engine, delivering 429 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 384 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 to 5,800 rpm. The EQ Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid system provided additional power and improved fuel efficiency, with a tested consumption of 12.7 L/100 km. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe featured a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and an AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD system with variable torque distribution. The AMG Dynamic Select system offered multiple driving modes, and the adaptive damping control air suspension enhanced performance. The SUV's handling was nimble and composed, with a tight turning radius and effective suspension. In Sport+ mode, the GLE 53 Coupe demonstrated impressive performance on challenging roads, though its size and weight were noticeable.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and AWD in Canada. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine offered 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The Nautilus featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension included with the V6. The SUV's fuel consumption averaged 9.4 L/100 km over 1,400 kilometres. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, offering a quiet and comfortable ride with a 19-speaker Revel audio system. In Sport mode, the V6 engine and suspension provided a dynamic driving experience, though the steering lacked engagement. The Nautilus shared engineering with the Ford Edge, hinting at its underlying performance potential.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe accommodated up to five people, though four was more comfortable. The sport-bolstered, multi-contour front seats offered numerous adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage, ensuring comfort on long drives. Forward visibility was adequate, but rear visibility was challenging, necessitating the use of available cameras. The back seat provided ample legroom, and the 655-litre cargo hold expanded to 1,790 litres with the rear seats folded. Additional comfort features included heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, and a four-zone automatic climate control system.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated steering wheel. The optional 22-way power front seats offered exceptional comfort with massage programs and adjustable features. Rear passengers enjoyed heated seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was limited. Storage space was adequate, with a hands-free power liftgate revealing a 1,055-litre cargo area, expandable to 1,948 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe came with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mercedes Me connected services. The system was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition and multiple interaction methods. Optional features included wireless smartphone charging, a Burmester surround-sound audio system, and an augmented video feature for navigation. The MBUX Interior Assistant with gesture recognition and a head-up display were also available.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. The system offered over-the-air updates, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. Our test vehicle included a connected navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The user interface was intuitive, with physical stereo and climate controls. The Phone as a Key feature allowed smartphone access to the vehicle.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe was equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Pre Safe Sound system emitted a "pink noise" tone before a collision to protect hearing. The optional Intelligent Drive Package added 13 driver assistance and collision avoidance systems. The Active Lane Change Assist and Active Emergency Stop Assist systems were particularly impressive. The GLE Coupe's safety ratings were unavailable, but the standard GLE received top ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite of driver-assist features, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Black Label added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, and a surround-view camera system. The safety systems proved effective during testing. The NHTSA awarded the Nautilus a five-star overall rating, and the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick.