2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 marked a significant departure from its predecessor, the original Ioniq, by establishing itself as the first model in Hyundai's new EV-focused sub-brand. This vehicle showcased a futuristic design with its Parametric Pixel theme, reminiscent of retro gaming aesthetics, which was both intriguing and polarizing. The exterior was a blend of minimalistic lines and intricate lighting details, creating a concept car-like appearance. Inside, the Ioniq 5 offered a serene "Living Space" environment, featuring sustainable materials and a Relaxation mode for the driver's seat, emphasizing comfort and eco-friendliness.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus presented a more traditional yet elegant SUV design, characterized by its balanced proportions and distinctive detailing. The Nautilus greeted drivers with a Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence, adding a touch of luxury. Inside, the cabin was adorned with premium leather upholstery and ambient lighting, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. However, some elements, like the centre console design, appeared less refined. The Nautilus offered a comfortable driving experience, especially with the optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats, making it ideal for long journeys.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a range of powertrains and configurations, catering to different driving preferences. In Canada, it was available in two trims, Essential and Preferred, with options for rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The base model featured a 125-kW rear-mounted electric motor, delivering 168 horsepower and a range of 354 kilometres. The Preferred long-range variant boasted a 168-kW motor, producing 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with an impressive range of 488 kilometres. The AWD version combined a 74-kW front motor and a 165-kW rear motor, resulting in 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, albeit with a reduced range of 414 km. The Ioniq 5's performance was characterized by its composed handling and four drive modes, including Sport mode for added excitement.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, on the other hand, came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, generating 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and AWD. For those seeking more power, a 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, with the adaptive suspension enhancing ride quality. While the SUV excelled in comfort and quietness, its steering lacked engagement. The Nautilus demonstrated impressive fuel efficiency, averaging 9.4 L/100 km over a long journey, and its twin-turbo V6 provided ample power for spirited driving.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), optimizing interior space and utility. Despite its hatchback appearance, it offered a spacious cabin with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Hyundai Palisade. The Ioniq 5 provided a total interior volume of 3,786 litres, surpassing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The interior featured a flat floor, a moveable centre console, and comfortable leatherette seats, ensuring a pleasant driving experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a luxurious interior with high-quality materials and ambient lighting. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with the optional 22-way power front seats offering exceptional comfort. However, the rear seating area felt cramped for a midsize SUV, with limited legroom. The Nautilus provided practical storage solutions, though some compartments were challenging to access. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a well-finished luggage compartment, offering 1,055 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,948 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 impressed with its advanced technology, featuring a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80 percent battery capacity in just 18 minutes, and could charge other devices or EVs. The Ioniq 5's multimedia features included a redesigned Blue Link app, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system were elegantly designed and easy to read, even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system running 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, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The intuitive user interface and physical stereo and climate controls enhanced usability. The Nautilus also offered Phone as a Key, allowing drivers to use their smartphones as digital keys.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included lane keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance. Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system, was also standard, adapting to the driver's habits through machine learning. While crash-safety ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's track record suggested high safety standards.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured 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 Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with 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.