2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was a visually appealing SUV, characterized by a balanced and stylish design that avoided being plain. Lincoln incorporated enough detailing to give the Nautilus a distinctive character. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence added a touch of elegance. The interior of the test vehicle featured light grey premium leather upholstery, with other colour options like sandstone, dark brown, and black available. Despite its luxurious feel, some elements like the centre console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared somewhat cheap. The Canadian market offered the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve at an MSRP of $59,800, excluding a $2,395 destination charge. The test vehicle included optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, priced at $1,900, which proved ideal for long drives.

The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its retro styling and adventurous spirit, was a highly sought-after vehicle. Following its successful debut, the Bronco returned with new models like the Everglades and Bronco Raptor, designed for extreme off-road conditions. The Everglades model, equipped with features like an intake snorkel and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires, was built for swamp trekking. The Bronco lineup expanded to eight trims, each offering varying degrees of off-road capabilities. Despite its rugged design, the Bronco was sold out for the year, reflecting its popularity. Buyers could choose between two-door or four-door body styles, with options for a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine, removable roofs, and a range of paint choices. The Bronco's utilitarian appearance was complemented by features like large recovery hooks and modular construction, making it a favourite among off-road enthusiasts. Inside, the Bronco maintained its rugged theme with features like sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs, allowing for easy cleaning after off-road adventures. The G.O.A.T. mode dial offered distinct drive modes for various terrains, enhancing its off-road prowess. Despite its ruggedness, the Bronco offered modern technology, including a digital instrument panel and a large infotainment touchscreen, making it a versatile choice for both off-road and urban environments.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It featured an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive in Canada. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine, producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, was available for an additional $4,000. The Nautilus offered Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behaviour, steering effort, and adaptive suspension. The SUV's fuel tank held 68 litres, with the V6 engine achieving a combined fuel consumption rating of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres. Over a 1,400-kilometre journey, it averaged 9.4 L/100 km. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, offering a quiet and comfortable ride, enhanced by a 19-speaker Revel audio system. On mountain roads, the twin-turbocharged V6 and eight-speed automatic transmission provided impressive performance, though the steering lacked engagement.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's base engine was a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder, producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. An optional EcoBoost 2.7-litre V6 engine offered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed manual transmission was available for the two-door Bronco with the four-cylinder engine, while a 10-speed automatic was standard for the V6 and all four-door models. The manual transmission featured a seventh crawl gear for low-speed driving with high torque. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. The Bronco's off-road capabilities were impressive, with models like the Everglades excelling in challenging terrains. On Drummond Island, the Everglades model handled deep-rutted muddy trails, water crossings, and rock climbs with ease. On pavement, the Bronco offered a smoother ride than its rival, the Jeep Wrangler, making it a better road trip companion. Wind noise was a minor issue, but overall, the Bronco excelled in both off-road and on-road settings.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive, thanks to Active Noise Control and acoustic glass. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated steering wheel. Optional 22-way power front seats provided exceptional comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed heated seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Storage space was adequate, with a hands-free power liftgate revealing a cargo area of 1,055 litres behind the rear seat and 1,948 litres with the back seat folded.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design contributed to ample interior space, with generous headroom and legroom. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some effort. Cargo capacity varied by model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering up to 634 litres behind the rear seats and 1,481 litres with seats folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 1,008 litres and 2,197 litres, respectively. Clever storage solutions included large armrest bins, netted door pockets, and accessory rails. The Bronco's utility was enhanced by external mounting points and removable fender flares.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. It offered over-the-air updates, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The test vehicle included a connected navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system's user interface was intuitive, with physical stereo and climate controls. The Phone as a Key feature allowed smartphone use as a digital key.

The 2022 Ford Bronco incorporated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities. G.O.A.T. modes provided confidence for novice drivers, while seasoned off-roaders could manually select setups. A forward-looking trail camera and Trail Turn Assist improved off-road navigation. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses, sharp graphics, and off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth, were standard, complementing the available wireless charging pad.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite of driver-assist features, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Black Label added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, and a surround-view camera. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick by IIHS.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered standard safety features like hill-start assist and trailer sway control. Optional packages added features like frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Bronco received a four-star frontal crash rating from NHTSA and a three-star rollover rating. IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in frontal, side, and roof strength tests.