2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a compact crossover that captured the rugged spirit of its larger sibling, the Bronco, while offering a more urban-friendly design. It featured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of a Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs designed for optimal off-road performance. The Bronco Sport's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate. The SUV's wheels varied by trim, with options for upgrading and upsizing. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful interior, with a unique design for the HVAC vents and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim improved with each model, offering options from cloth to leather-trimmed seats.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV with a balanced and characterful design. It featured a welcoming Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence and offered a range of interior colours, including light grey premium leather. The interior was luxurious, though some elements like the centre console design appeared less premium. The Nautilus Reserve model in Canada had a starting MSRP of $59,800, excluding destination charges. The test vehicle included optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with massage, which were ideal for long drives.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model came with a 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine producing 245 hp and 275 lb-ft. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance. On-road, the 2.0-litre engine in the Badlands trim was better suited to the vehicle's character.

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 eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive in Canada. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine offered 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The Nautilus featured 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. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, offering a quiet and comfortable ride with a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The twin-turbo V6 provided impressive performance, though the steering lacked engagement.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It offered over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the 2.0-litre engine could tow up to 997 kilograms. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though visibility issues were noted for taller drivers.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a luxurious interior with heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and ambient lighting. The optional 22-way power front seats provided exceptional comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed heated seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. The Nautilus offered practical storage space, though some areas were hard to access. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a well-finished luggage compartment with 1,055 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,948 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered a subscription-based 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and an available Bang & Olufsen sound system. The terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, with trail control technology for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was available on most trims, along with a digital instrument panel on higher trims.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. It offered over-the-air updates, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The test vehicle included a connected navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The Nautilus also featured Phone as a Key, allowing a smartphone to unlock and start the vehicle.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and other features. The Bronco Sport received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite, with forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Black Label trim added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS.