Compare the2026 Mercedes GLSVS 2026 Lincoln Aviator

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

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

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

Both the GLS and the Aviator 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Mercedes GLS weighs 661 to 1475 pounds more than the Lincoln Aviator. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GLS third among large premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Aviator isn’t in the top three in its category.

The GLS 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 110 more horsepower (510 vs. 400) and 123 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Maybach GLS 600’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 150 more horsepower (550 vs. 400) and 123 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the GLS 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lincoln Aviator:

On the EPA test cycle the GLS 450 gets better fuel mileage than the Aviator AWD (19 city/24 hwy vs. 17 city/25 hwy).

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

The GLS has 3.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Aviator (23.8 vs. 20.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

For better stopping power the GLS’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the Aviator:

The GLS stops much shorter than the Aviator:

For better traction, the GLS has larger standard tires than the Aviator (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 255/55R20). The GLS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Aviator (F:285/40R23 & R:325/35R23 vs. 275/40R22).

The GLS’ standard 275/45R21 front and 315/40R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Aviator’s standard 55 series tires. The GLS’ optional 325/35R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Aviator’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLS has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the Aviator. The GLS’ optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the Aviator.

The front and rear suspension of the GLS uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Aviator, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The GLS 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 Aviator.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLS’ wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the Aviator (123.4 inches vs. 119.1 inches).

The Maybach GLS 600 handles at .86 G’s, while the Aviator AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Maybach GLS 600 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Aviator Reserve AWD (26.5 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Maybach GLS 600’s turning circle is 3.5 feet tighter than the Aviator’s (35.7 feet vs. 39.2 feet).

For greater off-road capability the GLS has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Aviator (10.1 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the GLS to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLS Off-Road Package’s minimum ground clearance is 2.6 inches higher than on the Aviator (11.3 vs. 8.7 inches).

The GLS’ cargo area provides more volume than the Aviator.

The GLS’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the Aviator’s (7700 vs. 5000 pounds).

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Aviator, the GLS has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, suspension setting, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLS’ standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Access standard on the Aviator doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLS to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Aviator doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

Consumer Reports rated the GLS’ headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Aviator’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

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

When the GLS 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 Aviator’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The GLS has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Lincoln doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Aviator.

Both the GLS and the Aviator offer available massaging front seats. The GLS also offers optional massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the Aviator.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLS has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Aviator. The GLS also offers Qi charging in the second row seat. The Aviator doesn’t offer wireless charging in its second row seat.

The Mercedes GLS outsold the Lincoln Aviator by 16% during 2024.