Compare the2026 Mercedes GLSVS 2026 Lincoln Navigator L

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

The Mercedes GLS has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Navigator L doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Navigator L doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the GLS uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Navigator L uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the GLS and the Navigator L have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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.

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

The GLS 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 70 more horsepower (510 vs. 440) and 28 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 510) than the Navigator L’s 3.5 turbo V6. The Maybach GLS 600’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 110 more horsepower (550 vs. 440) and 28 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 510) than the Navigator L’s 3.5 turbo V6.

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

On the EPA test cycle the GLS 450 gets better fuel mileage than the Navigator L (19 city/24 hwy vs. 15 city/22 hwy).

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

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 Navigator L. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

For better stopping power the GLS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Navigator L:

The GLS stops much shorter than the Navigator L:

For better traction and acceleration, the GLS has larger standard rear tires than the Navigator L (315/40R21 vs. 275/50R22). The GLS’ optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the Navigator L (325/35R23 vs. 285/40R24).

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 Navigator L’s 50 series tires. The GLS’ optional 325/35R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Navigator L Black Label’s optional 40 series tires.

The front and rear suspension of the GLS uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Navigator L, 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 Navigator L.

The GLS has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLS’ 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 Navigator L doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Maybach GLS 600 handles at .86 G’s, while the Navigator L Black Label pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Maybach GLS 600’s turning circle is 8.2 feet tighter than the Navigator L’s (35.7 feet vs. 43.9 feet). The GLS’ turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the Navigator L’s (41.1 feet vs. 43.9 feet).

For greater off-road capability the GLS has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Navigator L (10.1 vs. 8.9 inches), allowing the GLS to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLS Off-Road Package’s minimum ground clearance is 2.4 inches higher than on the Navigator L (11.3 vs. 8.9 inches).

The Mercedes GLS may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 500 pounds less than the Lincoln Navigator L.

The GLS 450 is 1 foot, 5 inches shorter than the Navigator L, making the GLS easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction lowers the GLS’ center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Navigator L doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The GLS’ liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Navigator L’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The GLS’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the Navigator L’s (7700 vs. 6600 pounds).

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Navigator L, 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 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Navigator L doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 Navigator L doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

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 Navigator L’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The GLS offers an optional center folding armrest for the third row rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and can provide a barrier between children. The Navigator L doesn’t offer a third row rear seat center armrest.

The GLS’ Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Navigator L doesn’t offer an automated parking system.