Compare the2023 Mercedes GLEVS 2023 Lincoln Nautilus

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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The GLE’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Nautilus doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The GLE’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GLE and the Nautilus have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes GLE is safer than the Lincoln Nautilus:

	GLE	Nautilus
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	84	212
Neck Stress	208 lbs.	229 lbs.
Neck Compression	17 lbs.	21 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	301/184 lbs.	165/596 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	209	282
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.4 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	35.2%
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	197 lbs.
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	44 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mercedes GLE is safer than the Lincoln Nautilus:

	GLE	Nautilus
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	40	84
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	151 lbs.	190 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	103
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	41 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	16 inches
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	38 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the GLE its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 114 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Nautilus is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mercedes 6 places higher in reliability than Lincoln.

Engine

The GLE has more powerful engines than the Nautilus:

	Horsepower	Torque
GLE 350 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	255 HP	273 lbs.-ft.
GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	362 HP	369 lbs.-ft.
GLE 580 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid	483 HP	516 lbs.-ft.
Nautilus 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	250 HP	280 lbs.-ft.
Nautilus 2.7 turbo V6	335 HP	380 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lincoln Nautilus turbo V6:

	GLE	Nautilus
Zero to 60 MPH	5.6 sec	5.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	14.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97.4 MPH	95.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GLE 450 gets better fuel mileage than the Nautilus 2.7 turbo V6 (20 city/25 hwy vs. 19 city/25 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the GLE 450/580’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The GLE has 4.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Nautilus (22.5 vs. 18 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLE, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Nautilus.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLE 450/580’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Nautilus:

	GLE 450/580	Nautilus
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13.8 inches

The GLE 450/580’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Nautilus are solid, not vented.

The GLE stops shorter than the Nautilus:

	GLE	Nautilus
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	117 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLE has larger standard tires than the Nautilus (255/50R19 vs. 245/60R18). The GLE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Nautilus (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 265/40R21).

The GLE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Nautilus’ standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLE has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Nautilus. The GLE 450’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Nautilus.

Suspension and Handling

The GLE 450 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lincoln doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Nautilus.

The GLE has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLE’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The GLE’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Nautilus doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the Nautilus (117.9 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLE is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Nautilus.

The GLE 450 handles at .83 G’s, while the Nautilus Reserve AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GLE 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Nautilus Reserve AWD (27 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The GLE offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Nautilus can only carry 5.

The GLE has .6 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom and 1.3 inches more rear legroom than the Nautilus.

Cargo Capacity

The GLE has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Nautilus with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 68.8 cubic feet).

Towing

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Nautilus’ (5950 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lincoln Nautilus is only 3500 pounds. The GLE offers up to a 7700 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the GLE is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Nautilus. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Nautilus, the GLE offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLE’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Nautilus does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The GLE offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, certain gauge, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the GLE and the Nautilus have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GLE is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Nautilus prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The GLE’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Nautilus’ cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The GLE has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The GLE’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Nautilus’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the GLE has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Nautilus doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GLE to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Nautilus doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the GLE is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Nautilus’ mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Nautilus Reserve/Black Label offers wireless charging.

The GLE’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Nautilus (except Standard)’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the GLE owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the GLE with a number “8” insurance rate while the Nautilus is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLE is less expensive to operate than the Nautilus because typical repairs cost much less on the GLE than the Nautilus, including $638 less for a timing belt/chain.