2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus evolved from the second-generation Lincoln MKX, which shared its platform with the Ford Edge. In 2019, the MKX was facelifted and renamed the Nautilus, moving away from the alphanumeric naming convention and adopting more attractive styling. For 2021, the exterior remained largely unchanged, but the cabin received a significant update. The new dash design featured clean lines, soft materials, and a large, crisp 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen. The unconventional "Piano Key" shifter-button layout was easy to use, though it took some time to locate the stop-start button. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the glossy screen reflected the bright work in the center console.

The Nautilus offered three trims: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label. The Standard trim included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a power rear liftgate, and a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel. The Reserve trim added features like a hands-free power liftgate, genuine leather upholstery, and a panoramic sunroof. The Black Label trim came with a twin-turbo V6 engine, standard all-wheel drive, and a 19-speaker premium stereo. Our Black Label test vehicle featured 22-way Multi-Contour massaging front seats, which were fantastic but complicated to adjust. The Alcantara headliner contributed to the upscale feel of the SUV.

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned and available in four model series (NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+), offered a range of trim levels including base, Premium, F Sport, and Luxury. Prices ranged from $37,950 to $49,000, excluding the $1,075 destination charge. The NX 250 and NX 350 were non-electrified, while the NX 350h was a hybrid, and the NX 450h+ was a plug-in hybrid based on the Toyota Rav4 Prime. The NX 350 in F Sport and Luxury trims was the focus of this review.

The NX's design featured a distinctive spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. The 2022 model was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, offering more passenger and cargo space. The interior had a minimalist look, with many functions integrated into the available 14-inch touchscreen. Physical controls for frequently used functions remained, and the electronic shifter was easy to use. Quality levels were generally high, though the turn signal felt inexpensive. The NX 350 F Sport had a unique mesh-pattern grille, body-color fender trim, 20-inch gloss black wheels, and sport-bolstered seats. The Luxury trim included real leather and open-pore wood trim, with a panoramic sunroof available for the first time.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The Reserve and Black Label trims offered an optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine had standard front-wheel drive (FWD) with available all-wheel drive (AWD), while the twin-turbo V6 came standard with AWD. The twin-turbo V6 provided excellent power, especially at highway speeds, with smooth and controlled acceleration. The adaptive suspension nearly eliminated bumps in the road, and the Nautilus felt firm and planted through corners. The engine stop-start feature had a slight delay, but overall, driving the Nautilus was pleasant in nearly all scenarios.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions: the NX 350h hybrid with a combined output of 239 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in combined driving, and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid with 302 horsepower and an estimated 36 miles of pure electric range. The NX 350 had a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The NX 250 had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, delivered to FWD through a continuously variable transmission (CVT), with AWD as an option.

The NX 350 F Sport featured additional driving modes, an adaptive variable sports suspension, and 20-inch wheels. On winding roads, the F Sport felt taut and lean, while the NX 350 Luxury offered a softer driving character. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds for the NX 350, which seemed credible. The F Sport achieved 22.2 mpg, while the Luxury managed 25.5 mpg. The turbocharged 2.4-liter engine didn't sound as refined as its German rivals, but handling was impressive in both versions. The NX had more road and wind noise than expected, despite extensive noise dampening efforts. The NX was not suitable for off-road use, with limited ground clearance and approach/departure angles.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus provided up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space, more than the Lexus RX 350 and Cadillac XT5. With the rear seats in use, it offered 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free power liftgate available. The Nautilus emphasized two-row comfort, with plenty of head- and legroom in the rear seats. The front seats, especially the 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable units, were the optimal places to sit. The soft-touch center console and door handles added to the comfort. The Nautilus had a large center console bin and deep in-door pockets for storage, with additional storage below the floating center controls.

The 2022 Lexus NX claimed more interior room for people and cargo, though it didn't necessarily feel that way from the driver's seat. The new dashboard design created a more intimate feeling. The NX was comfortable, especially with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The F Sport trim had better-bolstered seats and padded areas for bracing legs. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, with rear air conditioning vents, heated cushions, and USB ports. The panoramic glass sunroof extended over the back seat. The Luxury trim included a Thematic Ambient Illumination system with 14 themes. The NX had 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-definition graphics and a sensible menu layout. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons and no unnecessary repackaging. The available wireless charging pad made phone integration seamless. The Revel 19-speaker premium audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Lexus NX introduced the Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a 9.8-inch touchscreen standard and a 14-inch screen optional. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and readiness for five connected service subscription plans. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system available. The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural voice commands. The NX included a complimentary three-year trial subscription to Drive Connect, with cloud-based navigation and Intelligent Assistant. Additional technologies included a digital mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and User Profiles for storing preferences and settings.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came with the standard CoPilot360 package, including 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 included adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, a surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights. However, the standard backup camera was low-quality, making it difficult to see in low-light scenarios.

The 2022 Lexus NX included the standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0) collection of technologies, with features like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, Oncoming Pedestrian Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The Emergency Driving Stop System brought the NX to a stop if the driver was unresponsive. The NX also had standard blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection, an adaptive front lighting system, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rear cross-traffic braking. The Vision Package included a panoramic view monitoring system, front cross-traffic alert, and lane-change assistance.