2025 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

$53,940 · Crossover

$61,850 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus enters the fray offering refined American luxury, beginning its compelling journey at an MSRP of $53,940. It counters the refined German engineering of the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, which commands a higher starting price of $61,850. While the GLE edges out the Nautilus slightly in power, boasting 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque compared to the Lincoln's 250 hp and 280 lb-ft, the Nautilus offers better fuel economy at 24 combined MPG versus the GLE's 23 MPG. The Lincoln also impresses with greater utility, providing 36.4 cu ft of cargo space, significantly more than the GLE's 33.3 cu ft. The $7,910 price gap, combined with the Nautilus's practical advantages, makes it a fierce contender against the prestige badge of the slightly larger (68.2 inches high vs 70.7 inches high) GLE.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Lincoln Nautilus

The Lincoln Nautilus is slightly more efficient overall, achieving 24 combined MPG, which directly benefits daily travel costs.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Lincoln Nautilus

The Nautilus wins for practicality by offering a superior 36.4 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the GLE's 33.3 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class provides a marginal performance edge with 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, plus an extra gear in its transmission.

💰 Best Value

2025 Lincoln Nautilus

With a $7,910 lower MSRP and superior cargo volume, the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus delivers more tangible features per dollar.

Choose the Lincoln Nautilus if...

You prioritize saving money upfront, benefiting from the $53,940 MSRP, which is nearly $8,000 less than the GLE.
You require maximum utility, as the Nautilus boasts 36.4 cu ft of cargo space versus the competitor's 33.3 cu ft.
You prefer standard All-Wheel Drive capability for varied road conditions.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class if...

You demand the prestige associated with the Mercedes-Benz badge and its inherent luxury cachet.
You seek the highest available output, as the GLE offers 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.
You prefer the more responsive feel of a 9-speed automatic transmission over the standard 8-speed.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Lincoln Nautilus	Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
Length	193.2"	194.3"
Width	76.9"	76.7"
Height	68.2"	70.7"
Wheelbase	114.2"	117.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Lincoln	Mercedes-Benz
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	—
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Lincoln	Mercedes-Benz
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	250 hp @ 5500 rpm	255 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	280 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm	295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Lincoln	Mercedes-Benz
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	rear wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—

Fuel

Feature	Lincoln	Mercedes-Benz
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	21/29 MPG	21/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	420.0/580.0 mi.	472.5/630.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	20.0 gal.	22.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Lincoln	Mercedes-Benz
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	—
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	✓
Side View Camera	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Driver Assisted Parking Assist	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Automatic Parking Assist	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Lincoln	Mercedes-Benz
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	10	—
Subwoofer Count	1	2
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	6 months
Infotainment Display	—	12.3 in

Power Feature

Feature	Lincoln	Mercedes-Benz
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Lincoln	Mercedes-Benz
Front Head Room	39.6 in.	40.5 in.
Front Leg Room	43.5 in.	40.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	58.9 in.	59.3 in.
Front Hip Room	56.8 in.	60.8 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	10-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	3	3
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	6-way	10-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	2-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Driver Seat Cooling	✓	—
Passenger Seat Cooling	✓	—
Driver Seat Ventilation	✓	—
Passenger Seat Ventilation	✓	—
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	—	3

Rearseats

Feature	Lincoln	Mercedes-Benz
Rear Head Room	39.8 in.	36.9 in.
Rear Leg Room	43.1 in.	40.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.0 in.	58.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	56.3 in.	59.8 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Lincoln	Mercedes-Benz
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	19 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P255/60R19	255/50R19
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Size	—	19 x 8.0 in
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Lincoln	Mercedes-Benz
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Lincoln	Mercedes-Benz
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	6 yr./ 70000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	unlimited yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	—
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	6 yr./ 62000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus and 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class.

What is the primary difference in performance between the 2025 Nautilus and the 2025 GLE-Class?

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class holds a slight power advantage, generating 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, outperforming the Lincoln Nautilus’s 250 hp and 280 lb-ft. However, both utilize premium fuel, with the GLE requiring it and the Nautilus only recommending it.

How does the pricing gap affect the overall value proposition of these two crossovers?

The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus undercuts the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class by a substantial $7,910, starting at $53,940 versus the GLE's $61,850. This significant cost saving immediately positions the Nautilus as the better value choice.

Which vehicle is better suited for hauling luggage or equipment for a family trip?

The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus is the clear winner for utility, providing 36.4 cubic feet of dedicated cargo capacity. The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class offers noticeably less space at 33.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

Are there significant differences in size that impact parking or garage fitment?

The dimensions are very close, but the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is slightly taller overall at 70.7 inches compared to the Nautilus's 68.2 inches in height. The length difference is negligible at 194.3 inches versus 193.2 inches.

How do the fuel economy ratings compare for routine driving?

The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus leads in efficiency with a combined 24 MPG, achieved through 21/29 City/Highway splits. The 2025 GLE-Class lags slightly behind at 23 combined MPG, with an identical 21 MPG in the city but a marginally lower 28 MPG on the highway.

What differentiates the standard drive type between the two models?

The Lincoln Nautilus comes standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD), ensuring power goes to all four wheels automatically. Conversely, the base 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class utilizes a Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) setup.