2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant mid-generation refresh, resulting in a more muscular exterior design. The new hexagonal grille and standard LED headlights contributed to a streamlined front end, moving away from the elegance of previous models. Despite these changes, the Pacifica retained some of its original sophistication, particularly noticeable along its sides and rear. The rear featured a new all-LED taillamp spanning the width of the vehicle, with the Chrysler wing badge at its centre. The Pacifica offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which included darkened features and black accents, enhancing its overall aesthetic.

Inside, the Pacifica distinguished itself from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival by balancing practicality with premium features. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim, in particular, catered to luxury customers with its comfort-focused design, featuring soft-touch materials, classy finishes, and a flat dashboard anchored by a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The interior boasted Piano Black plastic trim with wood accents and real metal surrounds, making it one of the poshest minivans available. Quilted Nappa leather seats, suede centre row pillows, and Beber floor mats added to the upscale look. The Pacifica also excelled in sound deadening, with new windows, seals, and insulation effectively minimizing road noise.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus presented an attractive SUV design with a balance of character and elegance. Its styling was neither awkward nor plain, with enough detailing to give it a distinctive presence. The Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence greeted drivers approaching the SUV after dark, adding a touch of sophistication. The interior featured premium leather upholstery in various colours, including light grey, sandstone, dark brown, and black. While the overall result was decadent, some elements, like the centre console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces, appeared less refined.

The Nautilus Reserve model, priced at $59,800 in Canada, offered optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, enhancing long-distance driving comfort. Despite some minor design drawbacks, the Nautilus provided a comfortable and cozy driving experience, especially with its massaging and heated driver's seat and heated steering wheel. The SUV's interior was complemented by a 19-speaker Revel audio system, delivering excellent sound quality. The Nautilus also featured a panoramic sunroof, allowing passengers to enjoy the view of the night sky during road trips.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a V6 hybrid engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. In Canada, all-wheel drive (AWD) was available as an extra-cost option for internal combustion engine models, marking the first time in 16 years that AWD was offered. The AWD system activated on-demand based on various conditions, enhancing traction and stability. The Pacifica Hybrid, however, was front-wheel drive only, with an all-electric range of over 50 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres. It boasted impressive fuel efficiency, using 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres and 8.0 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 12.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 8.4 on the highway, and 10.6 combined, with AWD models seeing slightly reduced efficiency.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive in Canada. A twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine, generating 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, was available for an additional $4,000. The Nautilus offered Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behaviour, steering effort, and adaptive suspension. The SUV's fuel consumption was rated at 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a maximum range of 730 kilometres on the highway. During testing, the Nautilus averaged 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres over 1,400 kilometres. The twin-turbo V6 provided impressive performance, especially in Sport mode, where the suspension firmed up to enhance handling. Despite its athletic capabilities, the steering lacked engagement, though the Nautilus remained a comfortable and quiet road-tripper.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious front seats and a feeling of togetherness. The removal of armrests in favour of a padded centre console lid allowed for ample storage space, including an under-stack area for personal items. Standard features included rear power-sliding doors, three-zone climate control, power-adjustable driver's seat, and Stow 'n Go seating for the second and third rows. The Pacifica's seats provided ample legroom, and the Stow 'n Go feature allowed for easy loading. The minivan boasted best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres, making it ideal for family travel.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated steering wheel. Optional 22-way power front seats offered massage programs and adjustable features for maximum comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed heated seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Practical storage space was adequate, with a hands-free power liftgate revealing a well-finished luggage compartment. The Nautilus provided 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and a maximum of 1,948 litres with the back seat folded down.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering a modern and customizable experience. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with an optional second-row in-seat entertainment system. The Pinnacle model introduced FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features. The Pacifica offered a range of sound system upgrades, including a 19-speaker Harman Kardon option, delivering high-quality audio.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software, offering over-the-air updates, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system included a connected navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The Nautilus also featured Phone as a Key, allowing smartphones to unlock and start the vehicle.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered up to 116 safety features, including automatic pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning. Adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and a surround-view camera were available on higher trims. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Black Label added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.