Mercedes-Benz GLS vs Lincoln Corsair

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair, introduced as a replacement for the Lincoln MKC, offered a refined aesthetic that set it apart from its Ford counterpart, the Escape. Riding on the new C2 platform, the Corsair showcased a design language shared with the Aviator and Navigator, featuring slab sides, blacked-out rear pillars, and straight belt- and rooflines. This design made the Corsair appear larger than it was, providing a sophisticated presence in a segment filled with aggressive-looking vehicles. Inside, the Corsair's cabin mirrored the flowing dash and floating center touchscreen of its more expensive siblings, though it fell short in terms of fit and finish, with more hard-touch materials present. The interior design, with its black leather and dark wood, seemed to cater to older buyers, while lighter palettes with tan leather were available for younger consumers.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS presented a more subdued exterior in its base GLS 450 form, avoiding the flashy chrome and gaudy grilles of some competitors. However, the AMG GLS 63 and Maybach versions offered more visual drama with features like flared wheel arches and chrome accents. The GLS interior, even in its basic form, exuded luxury with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen were well-integrated, framed by an upright dashboard. While the GLS 450's interior was high quality, it was perhaps too understated for those seeking opulence, yet it provided a comfortable and luxurious driving experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair offered two engine options: a base 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder producing 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the 2.0-liter available in FWD or AWD, while the 2.3-liter was exclusively AWD. The Corsair featured unique drive modes like "Conserve" and "Excite," with the latter providing a sportier driving experience. The 2.3-liter engine delivered brisk acceleration and confident cornering, though some body roll was present. The suspension was designed to absorb potholes, though road noise was noticeable. The Grand Touring trim introduced a plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with electric motors for a total of 266 horsepower, offering 28 miles of pure EV driving and 78 MPGe in electric mode.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 was powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, assisted by the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system, which added 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque in short bursts. The GLS 450's engine provided ample power, and the inline-six offered smooth performance, ideal for a luxury SUV. The GLS featured standard 4Matic AWD and a nine-speed automatic transmission. However, the air suspension, while capable of adjusting ride height, exhibited poor body control, leading to excessive motion over bumps and in corners. The GLS 450 had a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which was competitive but not class-leading.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair boasted a spacious cabin with comfortable seating and ample storage. However, the pronounced lip at the doorframe posed a tripping hazard when entering or exiting. The test model's reclining and sliding rear seats provided impressive legroom, making it suitable for road trips. The Corsair offered 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 57.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was average for its class. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, with an optional six-seat version featuring captain's chairs. The second-row seats could slide and fold for third-row access, with the bench seat offering 3.4 inches of additional legroom. The GLS provided 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 84.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. While cargo space was slightly behind larger competitors, the GLS featured one-touch power-folding seats and a power tailgate for convenience. The air suspension could lower for easier loading, though some ergonomic issues were noted, such as the touchscreen's reach and the center console's grab handles.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running SYNC 3, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with a logical menu layout. The Reserve trim added wireless device charging, a 14-speaker Revel audio system, and a head-up display with crisp graphics.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came equipped with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, navigation, and a 13-speaker Burmester audio system. The system offered multiple control options, with voice recognition being the most effective. However, the touchpad controller was overly sensitive, and the navigation system occasionally suggested inefficient routes.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The CoPilot360 Plus package added advanced features like adaptive LED headlights and a 360-degree camera. The Corsair earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating with the Reserve II package.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS included standard safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The GLS lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA at the time of publication.