2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid initially presented a bold and distinctive design, characterized by its blunt and bulbous nose, which gave it an aggressive appearance. Over time, however, this design became more familiar and less striking. The SUV's styling was further accentuated by black windshield pillars that created a floating roof effect, and swollen haunches that attempted to balance the overall look. Despite the presence of 20-inch alloy wheels, the exaggerated quarter panels seemed to overwhelm the design. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid offered a two-tone interior with soft leather for the Limited and Platinum trims, though the dashboard's asymmetrical design and glossy black detailing could suffer from reflections. The mix of illumination colours in the gauges also contributed to a busy appearance.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV with a balanced yet distinctive design. It featured enough detailing to give it character without appearing awkward. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence added a touch of elegance. The interior was luxurious, with light grey premium leather upholstery and other colour options available. However, the centre console design and some chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared somewhat cheap. The Nautilus Reserve, the only model available in Canada, was priced at $59,800, excluding a $2,395 destination charge. Our test vehicle included optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, which proved perfect for long drives.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned from a V6 engine to a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, resulting in improved fuel efficiency. It was rated at 6.7 L/100 km in combined driving, with a total output of 243 horsepower. The hybrid system used an "E-CVT" to mimic an automatic transmission. While the new Highlander Hybrid achieved better fuel consumption figures, it sacrificed driving enjoyment. The power was adequate but not thrilling, and the engine sounded strained during hard acceleration or hill climbs. The steering was lifeless, and the ride exhibited unwanted body movement. However, the regenerative brakes were an improvement over the previous generation, and the SUV handled well on smooth roads.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 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 delivered 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. The Nautilus offered Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension adjusting accordingly. During our test drive, the Nautilus excelled in comfort and quietness, with the massaging and heated seats enhancing the experience. The twin-turbo V6 provided impressive performance, especially in Sport mode, where it demonstrated agility and grip on mountain roads. However, the steering lacked engagement, despite the SUV's athletic capabilities.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum offered comfortable accommodations for the driver and front passenger, with 10-way power seat adjustment for the driver. The test vehicle featured a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row bench seat increased seating capacity to eight but felt narrow for three adults. The third-row seat was uncomfortable, with limited legroom and headroom. Cargo space behind the third row measured 453 litres, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seats folded down, and a maximum of 2,387 litres. However, storage was less generous than the previous generation, and the wireless smartphone charger blocked access to the storage area.

Inside the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, occupants enjoyed smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet ride. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated steering wheel. The optional 22-way power front seats offered exceptional comfort, even on long journeys. Rear passengers had heated outboard seats and air conditioning vents, but legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Practical storage space was adequate, though some areas were hard to access. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a well-finished luggage compartment, with 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and a maximum of 1,948 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Platinum trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, and a navigation system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and shortcut buttons for easy access. The JBL sound system, however, had mixed audio quality. Toyota's Driver Easy Speak technology projected the driver's voice through the speakers, and a video rearview mirror provided an unobstructed view behind the vehicle.

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. The test vehicle included a connected navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel premium audio system. The user interface was intuitive, with physical stereo and climate controls. The natural voice recognition system worked well, and the Revel speakers delivered excellent sound quality. The Phone as a Key feature allowed the smartphone to function as a digital key.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane departure with steering assist. The system added intersection support and emergency steering assistance. A blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with a surround-view camera system on the Platinum trim. The Highlander received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. The Black Label added adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, evasive steering assist, and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.