Compare the2025 Lincoln NavigatorVS 2025 Mercedes G-Class

Both the Navigator and the G-Class 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.

Lincoln’s powertrain warranty covers the Navigator 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the G-Class. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the G-Class ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 39 percent more Lincoln dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Navigator’s warranty.

The Navigator has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The G-Class doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

The Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 97 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 413) than the G 550’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Navigator gets better mileage than the G-Class running its gasoline engine:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lincoln Navigator uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The G-Class requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Navigator has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The G-Class doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lincoln Navigator, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the G-Class.

For better traction, the Navigator has larger standard tires than the G-Class (275/50R22 vs. 265/60R18).

The Navigator’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 G-Class’ 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Navigator has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the G-Class. The Navigator Black Label’s optional 24-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the AMG G 63.

The Lincoln Navigator’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mercedes G-Class only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

For superior ride and handling, the Lincoln Navigator has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mercedes G-Class has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Navigator’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 G-Class doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Navigator’s wheelbase is 8.7 inches longer than on the G-Class (122.5 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Navigator is 3.4 inches wider in the front and 3.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the G-Class.

For better maneuverability, the Navigator’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the AMG G 63’s (41.7 feet vs. 44.3 feet). The Navigator’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the G-Class’ (41.7 feet vs. 44.6 feet).

For excellent aerodynamics, the Navigator has standard flush composite headlights. The G-Class has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Navigator uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The G-Class doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Navigator offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the G-Class can only carry 5.

The Navigator has 65.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the G-Class (172.1 vs. 107).

The Navigator has 4.8 inches more front legroom, 5 inches more front hip room, 7.5 inches more front shoulder room, 2.5 inches more rear legroom, 4.5 inches more rear hip room and 7.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the G-Class.

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the Navigator when its optional tailgating rear seats are deployed, allowing people to sit facing out of the tailgate. (Do not use while vehicle is in motion.) The G-Class doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

The Navigator’s cargo area provides more volume than the G-Class.

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the Navigator’s second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The G-Class doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The Navigator’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The G-Class’ rear cargo window doesn’t open.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Navigator’s power cargo door can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The G-Class doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

Maximum trailer towing in the Mercedes G-Class is limited to 7000 pounds. The Navigator offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Navigator’s exterior PIN entry system. The G-Class doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Navigator has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the G-Class only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Navigator’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The G-Class doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

The Navigator has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The G-Class doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the Navigator and the G-Class offer optional massaging front seats. The Navigator Black Label also has standard massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the G-Class.

The Navigator has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The G-Class doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Navigator as the 2018 North American Truck of the Year. The G-Class has never been chosen.

The Lincoln Navigator outsold the Mercedes G-Class by over three to one during 2024.