2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus emerged from its predecessor, the Lincoln MKX, with a refreshed identity and design. The Nautilus retained the exterior styling from its 2019 facelift but introduced a revamped cabin that embraced Lincoln's modern design ethos. The interior featured clean lines, soft materials, and a prominent 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen, which was both visually appealing and user-friendly. The unconventional "Piano Key" shifter-button layout was easy to adapt to, although the stop-start button's placement required some getting used to. The Nautilus offered three trims: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label, each with varying levels of luxury and technology, including features like heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a premium Revel audio system.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia continued its long-standing second generation, maintaining a classic design that some might find dated. The Sequoia's exterior was characterized by its modest grille and elegant wheel arches, while its interior, though well-constructed, lacked the modern flair seen in newer SUVs. The 7-inch touchscreen and 4.5-inch TFT driver information screen felt outdated compared to competitors. However, the Sequoia's interior was spacious and durable, designed to accommodate families with its three rows of seating and ample storage options. The Nightshade Special Edition added a contemporary touch with darkened chrome and black-painted finishes, enhancing its visual appeal.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus offered a choice between a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, and 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, with the four-cylinder available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the V6 came standard with all-wheel drive. The V6 engine provided smooth and controlled acceleration, complemented by an adaptive suspension that ensured a comfortable ride. The Nautilus also featured an engine stop-start system, although it introduced a slight delay in response.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a single engine option, the 5.7-liter i-Force V8, which produced 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, with a lockable Torsen limited-slip center differential and a two-speed transfer case available in 4WD models. The Sequoia's truck-based construction contributed to its impressive towing capacity of 7,400 pounds and a payload capacity of around 1,300 pounds. Despite its weight, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with a robust suspension system that handled off-road conditions with ease. However, its fuel economy lagged behind modern standards, with ratings of 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway for both RWD and 4WD models.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus provided up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 37.2 cubic feet with the seats in use. It featured a standard power liftgate, with an available hands-free option. The Nautilus prioritized two-row comfort, offering ample head- and legroom for rear passengers, while the front seats boasted 22-way multi-contour power adjustments for optimal comfort. The interior included a large center console bin and deep in-door pockets for storage, with a floating center controls design that allowed for additional storage space.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia excelled in passenger comfort, with spacious seating across all three rows and a three-zone climate control system. The SUV featured a standard one-touch tilt/slide power moonroof and available heated and ventilated front seats. The Sequoia's cargo area offered 18.9 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expandable to 66.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a generous 120.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded flat. The interior included ample storage options, such as a large center console, glove compartment, and door pockets, along with an auxiliary 12-volt outlet in the cargo area.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus was equipped with a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring high-definition graphics and a user-friendly menu layout. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons for easy navigation. The system included a wireless charging pad and a Revel 19-speaker premium audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia's technology felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.5-inch TFT driver information screen. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the system's overall functionality lagged behind competitors. The Sequoia Limited trim added navigation and a 12-speaker audio system, with an optional premium audio package offering 14 JBL speakers. Despite its technological shortcomings, the Sequoia featured LED exterior lighting and standard safety technologies like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came with the CoPilot360 package, which included 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 like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view parking monitor were available. However, the backup camera's low quality was a notable drawback.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, but it was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, which included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The Sequoia also featured a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, along with the STAR safety system, which included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and more. A full complement of airbags and other safety features were standard across all models.