2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a departure from its predecessors, which closely resembled the Ford Expedition. While it shared some structural elements with the Expedition, the Navigator distinguished itself with unique design features, including a distinct turn signal stalk. Its elegant and understated styling was impressive for a large SUV, featuring rectilinear shapes and subtle chrome accents. The Pristine White model tested was particularly striking, with its monochromatic package and illuminated Lincoln logo. Inside, the Navigator offered a modern and muted interior with seven colour palettes, including the Slate Gray of the test vehicle. The wood trim, push-button gear selector, and floating centre console added to its sophisticated appeal. The Perfect Position seats, adjustable in 30 ways, provided exceptional comfort, making the Navigator's interior one of the most luxurious in its class.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, on the other hand, was an attractive SUV with a balanced design that avoided plainness. It featured a welcoming Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence and offered a range of interior colours, including light gray premium leather. While the centre console design and some chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared less premium, the overall interior was decadent. The Nautilus Reserve model in Canada had an MSRP of $59,800, excluding destination charges. The optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage were a highlight, providing exceptional comfort for long drives. The Nautilus's styling and interior features made it a compelling choice for those seeking a luxurious midsize SUV.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a formidable twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada, delivered impressive acceleration and a satisfying engine note. The Navigator's towing capacity was substantial at 3,765 kilograms, making it a capable choice for hauling. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, with an average consumption in the double digits, aligning with the estimated 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres combined rating. While the Navigator's adaptive dampers were standard, its suspension felt less refined compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. Despite some shortcomings in handling, the Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power, with paddle shifters adding a touch of sportiness.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a choice of engines, starting with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine delivered 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. The Nautilus featured an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive in Canada. It offered Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension adjusting accordingly. The Nautilus excelled in providing a comfortable and quiet ride, with the V6 engine offering impressive performance. Its fuel consumption was more efficient, with the V6 averaging 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres over a long journey. The Nautilus proved to be a capable road-tripper, with a quiet cabin and excellent audio system enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a spacious interior, accommodating up to eight passengers with its optional bench seating. Its boxy shape contributed to generous cargo space, with 546 litres behind the third row, 1,627 litres behind the second, and a total of 2,925 litres. The Navigator Reserve model featured heated rear second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. While the second-row seats could be removed for maximum storage, they lacked electric reclining and massage functions. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, offering a wide range of adjustments and massage programs. Visibility was excellent, but parking could be challenging due to its size.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet ride. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with the optional 22-way power front seats providing exceptional comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed heated outboard seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was somewhat limited. The Nautilus provided practical storage space, with a hands-free power liftgate revealing 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and a maximum of 1,948 litres with the back seat folded down.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which felt dated compared to newer competitors. While it offered Bluetooth and SiriusXM satellite radio, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system was good but not exceptional. The software was intuitive, sharing its interface with Ford vehicles but with a unique Lincoln skin. Voice recognition was fast and accurate, and the Navigator included wireless device charging and a rear entertainment system with Roku media streaming.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, on the other hand, featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system running the latest Sync 4 software. It offered over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 19-speaker Revel premium audio system. The system was intuitive, with physical stereo and climate controls. The Nautilus also included Phone as a Key, allowing the smartphone to function as a digital key.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with four stars for rollover resistance. It offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included inflatable rear seat belts for the second row and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite of driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Black Label trim added 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 a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.