2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often noted for its conventional appearance, blending seamlessly with other compact crossovers in the market. Its design featured a few distinguishing elements, such as the grille and some chromed plastic accents, but overall, it did not stand out in terms of exterior aesthetics. The CR-V was available in seven colours, though many were variations of grey, black, and white, with only a couple of more vibrant options like blue and red. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seat designs and a choice of materials that became more upscale with higher trims. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson were often seen as having more distinctive styling, especially in mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus presented a more refined and characterful design. It featured a welcoming Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence and offered a range of interior colours, including light grey premium leather. While the overall interior was luxurious, some elements like the centre console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared less premium. The Nautilus Reserve model in Canada was priced at $59,800, excluding destination charges. It offered optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, which were ideal for long drives, enhancing the vehicle's appeal as a comfortable and stylish SUV.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower. It delivered smooth and steady acceleration, taking about 8 seconds to reach 100 km/h. While not the fastest in its class, it was competitive with other crossovers. The CR-V featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. Its suspension setup included a MacPherson strut in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, providing decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine generating 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine was available, offering 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. The Nautilus featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behaviour, steering effort, and adaptive suspension. It excelled in long-distance comfort, with features like massaging and heated seats, and achieved a fuel consumption rating of 11.2 L/100 km in combined driving with the V6 engine. The Nautilus was praised for its quiet and comfortable ride, though its steering lacked engagement.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering ample space for five passengers and their gear. It boasted over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4 and provided 1,065 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V offered manual, power, or hands-free power tailgate options. Roof rails were standard on most trims, enhancing its practicality for carrying additional cargo.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a luxurious interior with heated and ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, and a quiet cabin. The optional 22-way power front seats with massage functions provided exceptional comfort. However, rear legroom was somewhat limited for a midsize SUV. The Nautilus offered practical storage solutions, though some compartments were difficult to access. It provided 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,948 litres with the seats folded, accessible via a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims featured upgraded audio systems, with the Touring trim offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were available throughout the cabin, and the Touring trim included a wireless phone charger.

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. It included a 19-speaker Revel audio system and a connected navigation system. The Nautilus also featured Phone as a Key technology, allowing smartphones to function as digital keys.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included a suite of advanced safety features standard across all trims, such as forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The only feature not standard on the base trim was blind spot monitoring.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite of driver-assist features, with the Black Label trim adding Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus. This package offered adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was rated as an IIHS Top Safety Pick.