Lincoln Navigator
The Lincoln Navigator comes across as a large, butch-looking SUV which offers mega size luxury. It is available in 7 trims, namely Standard, Select, Select L, Reserve, Reserve L, Black Level and Black Level L, and is priced between $74,500 and $100,890. A V6 motor with 10 speed automatic gearbox and 4WD is standard.
Powering this beat is a 3.5-liter Twin-Turbo V6 motor, which develops 450 hp of power and 500 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox which channels power to all 4 wheels. Considering the size and weight of the Navigator, it does a decent job of pulling it from standstill. Despite its humongous dimensions, the car is a very good handler even around corners. Steering is on a heavier side, but offers rich feel and feedback. Braking performance is noteworthy, with pedal being light and effortless to operate. Fuel efficiency is far from good, and despite having a smaller engine, the efficiency is rated at 21 mpg.
In a SUV as big as this, one expects an airy and roomy cabin, and the 2018 Lincoln Navigator doesn’t disappoint one bit on that front. All the 3 rows have good space on offer, massive glass area lends and airy feeling into the cabin. The 20-way power adjustable front seat lets you find a comfortable driving position with ease, and all-round visibility is spot-on. Overall, the interior exudes a sense of luxury and sophistication.
Standard safety features include multiple airbags and a rearview camera, while additional safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring are optional.
Chevrolet Suburban
Now in its 12th generation, the Suburban has been in the market way before terms like SUV and Crossover existed. It is available across 3 trims, namely LS, LT and LTZ, and a V8 motor with 6 speed motor is standard. Power is sent to the to the rear wheels, while there is an option of 4WD across all trims. It is priced between $72,555 for the base LS RWD trim and $79,255 for the LTZ 4WD trim.
The Chevrolet Suburban is powered by 5.3-liter V8 motor, which produces 355 hp of power and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. Acceleration is brisk, keeping in mind the Suburban’s dimensions, and the car does 0-60 mph sprint in about 7 seconds. The steering is a big downer, it is light and predictable, but lacks any feel and feedback. All of this results in a slightly wayward handling, although it must be mentioned that car doesn’t feel unstable at any given time. The solid pedal bite ensures that car stops without any fuss, and braking performance is pretty good. As expected from this class of SUV’s, fuel efficiency is poor, with 22 mpg which makes it a guzzler.
Interior features a well laid-out dashboard and brilliant ergonomics. There is ample space in all the 3 rows, and massive glass area ensures none of the passengers feels claustrophobic. The seats are firm and supportive, with adequate cushioning and bolstering, and good all-round visibility ensures maneuvering this SUV isn’t an issue. The interior is a fine blend of elegance and luxury.
On the safety front, the Suburban comes with multiple airbags, a rearview camera and forward collision warning as standard.
Mercedes-Benz GLS Class
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz amggls 63 has always been known for its old school looks. This big, butch and rugged looking SUV is available in 3 trims, namely GLS 450 4matic, GLS 550 4matic and AMG GLS 63 4matic. Interestingly, all the 3 trims get different engines and are priced between $70,150 and $126,150. All the variants get AWD as standard.
The top-spec AMG GLS 63 4matic trim is powered by a 5.5-liter Twin-Turbo V8 motor, which produces 577 hp of power and 561 lb.-ft. of torque. It is mated to a 7-speed shiftable automatic gearbox, which channels power to all the wheels. The flat-bottom steering is well weighted, and straight-line stability of the car is admirable. On twisty and winding sections though, there is too much body roll and though stable, the car doesn’t feel very refined to handle. The braking performance is remarkable, with car coming to a halt without any complications. The car returns an efficiency of 18 mpg, which is far from good.
Compared to its old school exterior looks, the interior is modern, with well integrated dashboard and luxurious seats, which offer great support for the driver. All round visibility is great, and that coupled with comfortable seats make driving this SUV a breeze. There is ample space in all the 3 rows and beige interior touches lend an airy feeling into the cabin. If the exteriors are old school and rugged, the interior is much more modern and luxurious.
The GLS comes standard with a rearview camera, forward-collision warnings, and automatic emergency braking. Optional safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, active lane control, traffic-sign based speed warnings and adaptive cruise control.