2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Acura RDX

When fitted with the A-Spec Package, the 2021 Acura RDX was an exceedingly attractive SUV. Its styling changes were modest yet impactful, expressing a sporty aesthetic without promising extreme performance. The A-Spec’s design refrained from using heavy blacked-out trims or gaudy traditional performance design cues. This subtle balance elevated its appearance without making false claims about its acceleration or handling.

Despite being a crossover, the Acura RDX did not masquerade as an off-road vehicle. It avoided towering skid plates and exaggerated fender flares, focusing instead on its true role as a vehicle engineered for daily driving and long road trips.

The RDX A-Spec was priced in the middle of the trim hierarchy. Starting at $38,200, the base model’s price could be increased to $41,100 with a Technology Package. Adding the A-Spec Package raised the MSRP to $44,100. The Advance Package, with all the extras, brought the price to $46,000, while the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system cost an additional $2,000. Our test vehicle, adorned in Platinum White paint, reached $47,625, including a $1,025 mandatory destination charge.

Inside, the A-Spec Package introduced front sport seats with simulated suede inserts and specialized piping, a sport steering wheel, a black headliner, dark brushed aluminum trim, sport pedals, red ambient lighting, and unique gauges. Although you could opt for black or red seats, a light gray option would have been a desirable alternative.

As for the Nautilus, though it began as a facelift of the second-generation Lincoln MKX in 2019, it evolved significantly. Abandoning the earlier alphanumeric naming convention, it emerged as the Nautilus with enhanced and more appealing styling.

By 2021, the Nautilus retained its appealing exterior but saw significant interior improvements. The cabin’s new dashboard design adhered to Lincoln’s refined aesthetic, featuring clean lines, soft-touch materials, and a large, clear touchscreen that protruded from the center dash. Its unique Piano Key shifter layout stood out for being both unconventional and user-friendly, although finding the stop-start button initially required some effort.

The standard 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen system mirrored the excellence of Ford’s SYNC 3, being intuitive and visually appealing. However, the glossy screen’s reflection required keeping sunglasses handy due to glare from the center console.

Trims for the Nautilus included Standard, Reserve, and Black Label. Each trim provided escalating levels of luxury, from basic features in the Standard trim to lavish appointments like 21-inch wheels and a 19-speaker premium audio system in the Black Label. Our top-of-the-line Black Label test vehicle featured several luxurious add-ons, including 22-way multi-contour (massaging) front seats, enhanced park assist, and active lane centering. While the multi-contour seats were exemplary, their myriad adjustments proved somewhat complex.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured a consistent powertrain across all models, including a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and standard front-wheel drive. The optional SH-AWD system was a beneficial upgrade, regardless of weather conditions. This system could transfer up to 70% of the engine’s power to the rear wheels and then distribute it entirely to either rear wheel, resulting in noticeably better handling.

Drivers could choose between driving modes like Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ via the Integrated Dynamics System, adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness (in models with the Advance Package). The A-Spec model sat on 20-inch Shark Gray alloy wheels with performance all-season tires, enhancing its handling dynamics. However, it lacked the Advance Package’s adaptive dampers, resulting in occasional body motion on uneven roads. Despite its small critiques, the RDX A-Spec delivered engaging driving dynamics, with its broad torque curve, precise steering, predictable handling, and fade-resistant brakes. The Sport+ mode added a touch of aggressiveness to the driving experience, amplified by an enjoyable (though artificial) engine sound.

The Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Reserve and Black Label trims could opt for or included, a more powerful twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6, producing an impressive 355 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, with automatic AWD.

The twin-turbo V6 excelled during both urban driving and on highways, offering smooth and controlled acceleration, reflective of Lincoln’s luxury direction. The adaptive suspension system adeptly smoothed road imperfections while keeping the vehicle well-composed through corners. Although it wasn’t a sports car, the Nautilus' capable handling didn't disappoint. However, its stop-start engine system exhibited a minor delay, re-engaging the engine when the accelerator was pressed, which differed from the more immediate response seen in some competitors.

Despite being a compact SUV, the 2021 Acura RDX provided substantial passenger and cargo space, representing significant value within its segment. The front seats, particularly the A-Spec’s 12-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated seats, were notably comfortable and supportive. However, to get a heated steering wheel, the Advance Package was required.

Rear-seat comfort suffered due to the vehicle’s utility-first approach. Folding the rear seatbacks flat onto the low and flat rear cushion compromised leg support, creating an uncomfortable seating posture with inadequate support. Additionally, while there was a large storage area beneath the center console, it was not convenient during driving.

The trunk offered 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with additional storage compartments providing useful organization. By folding the rear seats, the RDX provided 58.9 cubic feet of space—competitive but not leading within its class. Acura also quoted a maximum cargo volume of 79.8 cubic feet based on an impractical loading method, making the lower figures more realistic.

In contrast, the Nautilus delivered up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space—more than its rivals like the Lexus RX 350 and Cadillac XT5. With all seats in place, it offered 37.2 cubic feet, ensuring ample and genuinely usable storage. The standard power liftgate, also available as a hands-free version, facilitated easy loading.

Prioritizing two-row comfort, the Nautilus excelled in providing spacious and plush seating, especially in the front where 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable units could be equipped. The back seats also provided sufficient head and legroom for adults, making it suitable for extended journeys. Additional storage solutions included a large center console bin and deep in-door pockets that could accommodate sizable water bottles and other items.

Inside, the A-Spec Package introduced front sport seats with simulated suede inserts and specialized piping, a sport steering wheel, a black headliner, dark brushed aluminum trim, sport pedals, red ambient lighting, and unique gauges. Although you could opt for black or red seats, a light gray option would have been a desirable alternative.

As for the Nautilus, though it began as a facelift of the second-generation Lincoln MKX in 2019, it evolved significantly. Abandoning the earlier alphanumeric naming convention, it emerged as the Nautilus with enhanced and more appealing styling.

By 2021, the Nautilus retained its appealing exterior but saw significant interior improvements. The cabin’s new dashboard design adhered to Lincoln’s refined aesthetic, featuring clean lines, soft-touch materials, and a large, clear touchscreen that protruded from the center dash. Its unique Piano Key shifter layout stood out for being both unconventional and user-friendly, although finding the stop-start button initially required some effort.

The standard 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen system mirrored the excellence of Ford’s SYNC 3, being intuitive and visually appealing. However, the glossy screen’s reflection required keeping sunglasses handy due to glare from the center console.

Trims for the Nautilus included Standard, Reserve, and Black Label. Each trim provided escalating levels of luxury, from basic features in the Standard trim to lavish appointments like 21-inch wheels and a 19-speaker premium audio system in the Black Label. Our top-of-the-line Black Label test vehicle featured several luxurious add-ons, including 22-way multi-contour (massaging) front seats, enhanced park assist, and active lane centering. While the multi-contour seats were exemplary, their myriad adjustments proved somewhat complex.

The Acura RDX’s True Touchpad Interface (TTI) was designed as an innovation in infotainment control, diverging from conventional touchscreens. The touchpad mirrored the screen’s arrangement, meaning a touch on the pad’s lower left corresponded directly to the lower-left part of the screen. Although this system was better than earlier iterations by other manufacturers, it still required a significant adaptation period for users familiar with traditional touchpads. The need to consistently verify actions on the screen also added an element of distraction.

However, the RDX did get several factors right. It included standard features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and integrated voice recognition technology like Amazon Alexa. The A-Spec version boasted a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, delivering superior audio quality.

In comparison, the Nautilus featured an impressive 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-definition graphics and an intuitive user interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were seamless, with large, easy-to-navigate icons. There was no attempt to reconceptualize user interaction through proprietary controllers or multi-screen setups.

Our test model’s included wireless charging pad further simplified the phone-car relationship. Additionally, the Revel 19-speaker premium audio system provided exceptional sound quality, enhancing the in-car audio experience.

The Acura RDX was equipped with AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available in the Technology Package—a notable omission for base-trim buyers.

Unlike the comprehensive safety package in the TLX sedan, the RDX lacked pedestrian detection, traffic-sign recognition, and Traffic Jam Assist. Nonetheless, the AcuraWatch features it did include performed smoothly and accurately, proving useful to drivers.

In terms of crash safety, the RDX excelled, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, despite receiving four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.

The Lincoln Nautilus came standard with CoPilot360, offering features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features such as adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights were available.

Despite its extensive list of safety tech, the standard backup camera quality was subpar, making visibility challenging in low-light conditions. This was surprising given the crisp graphics of the SYNC display, indicating the issue lay in the camera itself rather than the display unit.