Compare | Fort Worth, TX
The Lincoln Navigator and the Mercedes-Benz GLS both carry a family in three rows of luxury. They go about it in very different ways, and the right pick depends on what your week in Fort Worth looks like.
Most shoppers who cross shop the Lincoln Navigator have the Cadillac Escalade, the Infiniti QX80 or the BMW X7 on their list, and our Navigator comparison page lines those up head to head. The Mercedes-Benz GLS comes up more often than people expect, especially with drivers stepping out of a German sedan or a smaller Mercedes SUV.
This is not a spec sheet. It is a look at ownership: what each SUV is like to live with in North Texas, who each one suits, and what to check before you sign. Facts on both come from Lincoln and Mercedes-Benz USA, and anything that changes by trim, wheel size or model year is called out so you can confirm it for the exact vehicle you are considering.
Quick answer: The Lincoln Navigator suits buyers who want seating for up to eight, an available long wheelbase L version and up to 8,700 pounds of towing when properly equipped. The Mercedes-Benz GLS suits drivers who want standard all wheel drive and air suspension in a unibody SUV, with a choice of inline six or V8 power. Pricing on the two overlaps, so the decision usually comes down to how you use the vehicle, not the sticker.
Lincoln Navigator power
3.5L twin turbo V6, 440 hp
Mercedes-Benz GLS power
Turbo inline six or twin turbo V8
Max towing, properly equipped
Navigator 8,700 lbs, GLS 7,700 lbs
In this post
How Are the Lincoln Navigator and Mercedes-Benz GLS Different?
Start with how each one is built. The Lincoln Navigator rides on a body on frame structure, the way full size trucks are built, and it comes in two lengths: the standard Navigator and the longer Navigator L. It seats up to eight, and for the 2027 model year Lincoln made rear wheel drive standard across the lineup with 4x4 available.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is a unibody SUV, built more like a large car, with 4MATIC all wheel drive and AIRMATIC air suspension listed as standard on the GLS 450. Mercedes-Benz USA lists six seats with a seventh optional.
Under the hood, the Navigator keeps it simple with one engine: a 3.5 liter twin turbo V6 rated at 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10 speed automatic. The GLS 450 uses a 3.0 liter turbocharged inline six with mild hybrid assist, rated at 375 horsepower and 413 lb-ft. The GLS 580 steps up to a 4.0 liter twin turbo V8. Both GLS models use a nine speed automatic.
Which One Works Better for a Family That Uses the Third Row?
If the third row is where your kids ride every day, not just on the occasional airport run, the Lincoln Navigator gives you more ways to set it up. Seating for up to eight means a second row bench is an option, and the longer Navigator L gives you more room to work with for strollers, sports bags and the rest of a Saturday. Power folding third row seats are offered, so you can switch from passengers to cargo with a button.
The Lincoln Split Gate is the Navigator feature families tend to notice first. The tailgate opens in two parts, and the lower section can serve as a seat, which is handy at a youth baseball game in Burleson or a tailgate before an event at Texas Motor Speedway. Lincoln notes that cargo and load capacity are limited by weight and weight distribution, so treat it as a bench, not a step.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS takes a different route. Mercedes-Benz USA lists power folding second and third rows as standard on the GLS 450, with one button in the cargo area that folds the rear seats. Rear seat entertainment screens are available, which can make a long drive to Lake Granbury quieter for parents up front.
Fort Worth driver tip
Before you fall for either SUV, measure your garage. Older homes along Camp Bowie Boulevard and in established Benbrook and Arlington neighborhoods often have garages sized for an earlier generation of vehicles, and a Navigator L in particular needs the room. Bring the measurements and we will compare them against the exact model you are considering.
Which One Makes More Sense for Towing and Texas Road Trips?
Towing is where the two separate most clearly. The Lincoln Navigator is rated to tow up to 8,700 pounds when properly equipped with the available Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package on 4x4 models with 22 inch wheels. Lincoln lists lower ratings with 24 inch wheels, and rear wheel drive models are rated lower still. The Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 is rated at 7,700 pounds.
For a lot of Fort Worth families, either number covers the boat that goes out to Eagle Mountain Lake or Benbrook Lake on summer weekends. The question is how close you plan to run to the limit and how often. Check the loaded weight of your boat, trailer and gear against the rating for the exact configuration on the window sticker, not the brochure maximum.
On the highway, both are built for distance. The Navigator's 48 inch panoramic display stretches across the dash and supports audio streaming and in vehicle apps, and available Lincoln Rejuvenate brings massaging seats, lighting, sound and scent together when you stop for a break in Park. The GLS uses the MBUX Superscreen, a single span of glass that combines the driver's display with touchscreens for the driver and front passenger.
Explore the Lincoln NavigatorMore Lincoln Navigator Comparisons
Which One Fits the Way You Drive?
Spec sheets make these two look closer than they feel from the driver's seat. Pick the profile below that sounds like your week, then drive that one first.
Fits you if
Lincoln Navigator
- You need seating for up to eight, or real room in the third row for teenagers
- You tow a boat or camper and want up to 8,700 lbs when properly equipped
- You want the extra cargo length of the Lincoln Navigator L
- You like a commanding seat and a wide, open cabin
- You want rear wheel drive for city miles, with 4x4 when you need it
Fits you if
Mercedes-Benz GLS
- You want all wheel drive and air suspension as standard on the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450
- You prefer the feel of a unibody SUV
- You want a V8 option in the Mercedes-Benz GLS 580
- Six or seven seats covers your family
- Your towing needs stay at or below 7,700 lbs
The honest answer for most families is that both SUVs will haul the kids and the luggage just fine. The choice comes down to how much you tow, how often the third row is full, and whether you prefer the feel of a truck based SUV or a car based one.
The choice comes down to how much you tow, how often the third row is full, and whether you prefer the feel of a truck based SUV or a car based one.
What Is Ownership Like After You Drive It Home?
The purchase is one day. Ownership is the next several years, so compare what comes after the sale as closely as the vehicle.
A new Lincoln Navigator comes with Lincoln's 4 year or 50,000 mile bumper to bumper coverage and 6 year or 70,000 mile powertrain coverage, whichever comes first. While the vehicle is inside that bumper to bumper window, eligible owners can use Lincoln Pickup and Delivery at no charge: we pick up your Navigator for service and leave a complimentary Lincoln for you to drive in the meantime. Lincoln Mobile Service can also handle routine work like oil changes, tire rotations and battery replacement at your home or office, depending on season and distance.
On the Mercedes-Benz side, ask the selling dealer for its warranty, maintenance and loaner terms in writing so you are comparing the same things. Both brands now sell some driver assistance and connected features as subscriptions after an included period. Mercedes-Benz USA, for example, lists Distance Assist DISTRONIC on the GLS 450 as a Digital Extra that renews for a fee after the first term. Ask which features on the vehicle you are pricing need a plan, and what renewal costs.
Service location matters in North Texas, too. Hooks Lincoln sits at 8900 West Freeway, right on I-30 on the west side of Fort Worth, which keeps service visits easy for drivers in Benbrook, Aledo, Weatherford and Azle.
How Should You Test Drive Them Back to Back?
The fastest way to decide is to drive both on the same day, on the same roads, with the same people in the seats. A short plan helps.
Bring the whole crew
Put your family in every row, including the third. Install a car seat if you use one, and have the tallest passenger sit in the back for ten minutes.
Drive your real commute
Take each SUV on I-30 at rush hour and through stop and go traffic on Camp Bowie Boulevard. Pay attention to visibility, turning, and how each one feels in a tight parking lot.
Load your actual gear
Bring the stroller, the golf bags or the cooler. Fold the seats yourself and see which system you would use without thinking.
Price them the same way
Match options as closely as you can, then compare monthly cost, warranty terms and what is included for service. Ask about current Lincoln offers on the Navigator before you decide.
When you visit Hooks Lincoln, one person from our concierge team handles your test drive, your numbers and your delivery, so you are not retelling your needs to someone new at every step.
One point of contact
At Hooks Lincoln, one person from our customer concierge team guides your whole purchase, from the first test drive to financing to delivery day. No handoffs, and no repeating yourself.
How it worksSize and Seating
Is the Lincoln Navigator bigger than the Mercedes-Benz GLS?
The Navigator is a body on frame SUV with a long wheelbase L version and seating for up to eight, while the GLS is a unibody SUV that seats six or seven. Compare published exterior lengths for the exact versions you are considering if parking space is tight.
Can the Lincoln Navigator seat eight people?
Lincoln lists seating for up to eight with the right second row. Captain's chairs bring that to seven and make it easier to walk back to the third row.
Do the Mercedes-Benz GLS rear seats fold with a button?
Mercedes-Benz USA lists power folding second and third rows as standard on the GLS 450, with a single button in the cargo area that folds the rear seats.
Power and Towing
How much can the Lincoln Navigator tow?
Up to 8,700 pounds when properly equipped with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package on 4x4 models with 22 inch wheels. Ratings drop with 24 inch wheels and on rear wheel drive models, so check the configuration you are buying.
How much can the Mercedes-Benz GLS tow?
Mercedes-Benz USA rates the GLS 450 at 7,700 pounds. Confirm the rating for the specific model and equipment before you hitch up a trailer.
Does the Mercedes-Benz GLS come with a V8?
The GLS 580 uses a 4.0 liter twin turbo V8. The GLS 450 uses a turbocharged inline six with mild hybrid assist.
Technology and Comfort
What is the 48 inch display in the Lincoln Navigator?
It is a panoramic screen that spans the dashboard in front of the driver and front passenger. It supports audio streaming, premium content and in vehicle apps.
What screens does the Mercedes-Benz GLS use?
The GLS uses the MBUX Superscreen, a single glass panel that combines the driver display with two touchscreens, including one for the front passenger.
Does the Lincoln Navigator offer massaging seats?
Available Lincoln Rejuvenate pairs massaging seats with heating and ventilation, ambient lighting, audio and scent. It operates only when the vehicle is in Park.
Drivetrain and Daily Driving
Is the Lincoln Navigator four wheel drive?
For the 2027 model year, Lincoln made rear wheel drive standard across the Navigator lineup, with 4x4 available. Earlier model years came with 4x4, so check the window sticker on any Navigator you shop.
Is all wheel drive standard on the Mercedes-Benz GLS?
Mercedes-Benz USA lists 4MATIC all wheel drive as standard on the GLS 450, along with AIRMATIC air suspension.
Do Fort Worth drivers need 4x4 on a Lincoln Navigator?
For city and highway driving, rear wheel drive on good tires handles most North Texas days. Choose 4x4 if you tow heavy, launch boats on steep or wet ramps, or want extra traction during the occasional ice storm.
Buying at Hooks Lincoln
Can I test drive a Lincoln Navigator at Hooks Lincoln?
Stop by 8900 West Freeway in Fort Worth or call 817-596-0044 to set a time. Sales hours are 9 AM to 7 PM Monday through Friday and 9 AM to 6 PM on Saturday.
Does Hooks Lincoln compare the Lincoln Navigator to other SUVs?
Our Navigator comparison page lines the Lincoln Navigator up against the Cadillac Escalade, the Infiniti QX80 and the BMW X7.
What service perks come with a new Lincoln Navigator?
Eligible vehicles within the 4 year or 50,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty get complimentary Lincoln Pickup and Delivery, with a Lincoln loaner while yours is serviced. Lincoln Mobile Service can handle routine work at your home or office.
See the Lincoln Navigator in person
Sit in all three rows and try the Split Gate yourself.
Shop Lincoln NavigatorQuestions before you visit?
Reach our team about the Lincoln Navigator by phone or message.
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