2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2021 Ford Explorer had a design that fit well within Ford's SUV lineup, sharing a family resemblance with models like the Escape, Edge, and Expedition. Its exterior was sporty with raked belt lines and distinctive visages, though it could be hard to distinguish from the Edge at a quick glance. The Explorer offered six trim levels, each with varying grille designs and price points ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, it featured three rows of seats as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model and leather available on higher trims. The dash was clean, with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift that freed up storage space.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in the Black Label trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels, was an attractive SUV with balanced styling and plenty of character. At night, it greeted owners with a Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence. The Black Label model offered Chalet or Flight design themes, with premium leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner. The Black Label trim included nearly every available feature, though some chrome-plated plastic pieces looked a bit cheap. The Nautilus had a starting MSRP of $44,225, with the Black Label starting at $66,825. Our test vehicle, equipped with Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats, was perfect for long drives.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds. Its base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, outperforming the Kia Telluride's V6. The Explorer Limited Hybrid offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, with the Explorer ST offering 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, with FWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Black Label trim included a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine with 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, requiring AWD. The Nautilus offered Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension adjusting accordingly. The twin-turbo V6 had an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg combined, with a maximum range of 450 miles. During a road trip, the Nautilus averaged 25 mpg and proved to be a quiet, comfortable, and enjoyable vehicle to drive.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base model seated seven, while other trims with captain’s chairs in the second row seated six. It offered 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, which was competitive but not class-leading. With the third row deployed, the Explorer provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label featured smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control. Both front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power seats offering multiple massage programs. The rear seats were heated, but legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Practical storage space was adequate, though some areas were hard to access. The Nautilus offered 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 68.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and an upgrade to a 10.1-inch touchscreen with up to 14 speakers. Charging options included two USB ports and five 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. Sync 4 included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L. The Black Label trim added connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system was intuitive and offered excellent sound quality. The Nautilus also featured Phone as a Key, allowing a smartphone to unlock and start the vehicle.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The base model included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite with features like auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus included Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Black Label trim added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera, and parking sensors. The Nautilus earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance.