2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Acura MDX

The 2022 Acura MDX was a pioneer in the three-row luxury crossover SUV category, offering a spacious interior that belied its compact exterior appearance. Built on a new dedicated platform, the MDX featured a longer wheelbase, wider body, and an increased dash-to-axle distance, enhancing its elegant design. The exterior boasted standard Jewel Eye LED headlights and larger wheels, contributing to a sportier and modern look. Inside, the MDX's cabin was modernized with authentic materials like natural wood and real leather, complemented by high-quality plastics. The dashboard design emphasized cabin width, and the unique gear selection system added a touch of sophistication. The MDX's interior was available in various colour themes, enhancing its luxurious feel.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus presented an attractive and balanced design, with enough detailing to give it character. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence added a touch of elegance. The interior featured premium leather upholstery, with options for different colour schemes. While the overall design was decadent, some elements like the centre console and chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared less refined. The Nautilus Reserve model in Canada was priced at $59,800, with optional features like Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats enhancing long-distance comfort. Despite some design shortcomings, the Nautilus offered a luxurious and comfortable driving experience.

The 2022 Acura MDX was equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. It featured a new 10-speed automatic transmission and Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) as standard in Canada. The SH-AWD system offered torque vectoring, enhancing cornering feel and control. The MDX's suspension was upgraded to a double-wishbone setup in the front and revised multi-link suspension in the rear, improving ride quality and handling. The vehicle's overall stiffness and rigidity were significantly enhanced, providing a solid ride feel. The MDX offered five drive modes, allowing drivers to tailor performance to their preferences.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive were standard in Canada. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine was available, producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The Nautilus offered Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behaviour, steering effort, and adaptive suspension. The vehicle excelled in comfort during long drives, with features like massaging and heated seats. The twin-turbo V6 provided impressive performance, though the steering lacked engagement. The Nautilus shared its engineering with the Ford Edge, adding a touch of spirited driving dynamics.

The 2022 Acura MDX, as a three-row SUV, offered versatile seating arrangements and ample cargo space. The first two rows provided comfortable seating, with the second row featuring a removable centre section and adjustable legroom. The third row was best suited for smaller passengers. The MDX offered between 461 and 512 litres of luggage space behind the third row, expandable to 2,690 litres with the second row folded. The power tailgate featured convenient functions like "Walk Away Close" and hands-free access. Interior lighting was customizable, with 27 themes available to suit different moods.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments for added comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed heated seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was somewhat limited. The Nautilus offered practical storage space, though some areas were difficult to access. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a well-finished luggage compartment, providing 1,055 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,948 litres with the rear seat folded.

The 2022 Acura MDX was equipped with advanced technology, including the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System with 16 speakers and 710 watts of amplification. The 12.3-inch infotainment system and Acura Precision Cockpit digital instrument panel were standard, offering a configurable interface. Features like Amazon Alexa integration, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot were included. The MDX also offered a head-up display, surround-view camera, and over-the-air software updates, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured 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 system included a connected navigation system and a 19-speaker Revel audio system, providing excellent sound quality. The Nautilus also offered Phone as a Key technology, allowing drivers to use their smartphone as a digital key. The intuitive user interface and physical controls for stereo and climate functions added to the vehicle's appeal.

The 2022 Acura MDX received a "Top Safety Pick +" rating from the IIHS, with top marks in every category. The vehicle featured a higher percentage of high-strength steel and an advanced safety structure. The front end was redesigned for pedestrian safety, and a low-speed braking control system was included. The AcuraWatch suite of safety features was standard, offering collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite of driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. 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.