Compare the2026 Mercedes G-ClassVS 2026 Lincoln Navigator

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

The Mercedes G-Class has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Navigator doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Mercedes G-Class’ rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Lincoln Navigator does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the G-Class and the Navigator 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.

The G 550’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 3 more horsepower (443 vs. 440) than the Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6. The AMG G 63’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 137 more horsepower (577 vs. 440) and 117 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 510) than the Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6. The G 580’s standard electric motors produces 139 more horsepower (579 vs. 440) and 349 lbs.-ft. more torque (859 vs. 510) than the Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the AMG G 63 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid is faster than the Lincoln Navigator:

On the EPA test cycle the G 580 running on electricity gets better mileage than the Navigator (68 city/56 hwy MPGe vs. 15 city/22 hwy).

The G 580 can travel with zero emissions for 239 miles. The Navigator can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the G-Class AMG 63’s fuel efficiency. The Navigator doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

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

The G-Class has 2.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Navigator (26.4 vs. 23.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The G-Class has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port on the 580, which lock and unlock with the power locks. The Navigator doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The G-Class AMG 63’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Navigator doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the AMG G 63’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Navigator:

The G-Class stops much shorter than the Navigator:

For better traction, the G-Class’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Navigator (295/40R22 vs. 285/40R24).

The G-Class has a standard full size spare (not available on 580) so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Navigator; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The G-Class AMG 63 offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Navigator doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The AMG G 63 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.

The G 580 handles at .84 G’s, while the Navigator Black Label pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The G 580 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Navigator Black Label (26 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the G-Class has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Navigator (9.5 vs. 8.9 inches), allowing the G-Class to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The G 580’s minimum ground clearance is .9 inch higher than on the Navigator (9.8 vs. 8.9 inches).

The Mercedes G-Class may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 400 pounds less than the Lincoln Navigator.

The G 550 is 2 feet, 4 inches shorter than the Navigator, making the G-Class easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The G-Class has 3.6 inches more front headroom and 2.6 inches more rear headroom than the Navigator.

The G-Class has a much larger cargo volume than the Navigator with its rear seat up (37.4 vs. 22.9 cubic feet).

The G-Class’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the Navigator’s (7000 vs. 6200 pounds).

Trailer Stability Assist is standard on the G-Class, using the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Navigator.

The G-Class has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Navigator (1576 vs. 1360 lbs.).

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Navigator, the G-Class has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The G-Class has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Navigator doesn’t offer headlight washers.

When the G-Class 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’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

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