Compare the2024 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
Recommendations

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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GLE. But it costs extra on the Nautilus.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The GLE has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seemlesly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from other vehicles.

Both the GLE and Nautilus have rear cross-traffic warning, but the GLE has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Nautilus’ Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

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 and available lane departure warning systems.

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.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mercedes GLE is safer than the Nautilus:

	GLE	Nautilus
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	50	208
Neck Tension	201 lbs.	402 lbs.
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	22 lbs.
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	268 lbs.
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	1026 lbs.	1160 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	232	260
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	156 lbs.
Neck Compression	-89 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.28 in	1.5 in
Shoulder Force	89 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.67 in	1.57 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	11 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Mercedes GLE (only applies to vehicles with optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Nautilus has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. With 7 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Lincoln.

Engine

The GLE has more powerful engines than the Nautilus:

	Horsepower	Torque
GLE 350 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	255 HP	295 lbs.-ft.
GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	362 HP	369 lbs.-ft.
GLE 450e 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	381 HP	479 lbs.-ft.
GLE 580 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid	510 HP	538 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 Mercedes GLE is faster than the Lincoln Nautilus turbo V6:

	GLE 450	GLE 450e	Nautilus
Zero to 60 MPH	5.6 sec	5.5 sec	5.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	14 sec	14.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97.4 MPH	98.2 MPH	95.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GLE running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Nautilus:

			MPG
GLE
	AWD	350 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/28 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	19 city/26 hwy
Nautilus
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/25 hwy
		2.7 turbo V6	19 city/25 hwy

The GLE 450e can travel with zero emissions for 48 miles. The Nautilus can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

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

The GLE’s standard fuel tank has 4.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Nautilus (22.5 vs. 18 gallons).

The GLE has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Nautilus. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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 450e’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Nautilus:

	GLE 450e	Nautilus
Front Rotors	15.7 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 580’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Nautilus (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 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. The GLE 580’s optional 325/35R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Nautilus’ optional 40 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 580’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Nautilus.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the GLE can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Nautilus doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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 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’ (7700 vs. 1500 pounds).

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 has standard driver and 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’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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the GLE to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Nautilus doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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.

The GLE will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the GLE will retain 49.45% to 53.48% of its original price after five years, while the Nautilus only retains 46% to 49.16%.

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.

Recommendations

The Mercedes GLE outsold the Lincoln Nautilus by over two to one during 2023.