2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV, boasting a balanced design that avoided awkwardness while maintaining character through thoughtful detailing. Upon approaching the vehicle at night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence provided a welcoming touch. Inside, the test vehicle featured light grey premium leather upholstery, with other interior colour options available. Despite its overall decadence, the centre console design and some chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared somewhat cheap. The Nautilus Reserve model, the only one available in Canada, had a Manufacturer’s Retail Suggested Price (MSRP) of $59,800, excluding a $2,395 destination charge. The optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, priced at $1,900, proved ideal for long drives.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, with a standard 22-inch design in Canada. The front end received a restyle, featuring an Audi-esque grille with Lincoln star and chrome detailing, which some felt reduced its elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's updates were largely successful. Inside, it dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, highlighted by Lincoln’s Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display was a significant upgrade. The Navigator continued in standard and long-wheelbase styles, with the Reserve trim as the sole option in Canada, starting at $107,500, excluding a $2,395 destination charge.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with 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 SUV offered Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behaviour, steering effort, and adaptive suspension. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, with a quiet and comfortable ride, aided by a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The twin-turbo V6 achieved a fuel consumption rating of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a maximum range of 730 kilometres on the highway.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. The Navigator's towing capacity ranged between 3,674 and 3,765 kilograms, depending on wheelbase and drivetrain selections. The SUV featured an updated adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview, enhancing ride quality. Despite its size, the Navigator handled well on various terrains, including snow and mud, thanks to its 24.5 centimetres of ground clearance and appropriate driving modes. The Navigator 4WD had a fuel consumption rating of 13.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, averaging 12.6 L/100 km during testing.

Inside the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, occupants enjoyed smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive due to Active Noise Control and acoustic glass. 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, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. The Nautilus provided 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,948 litres with the back seat folded.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator offered exceptionally comfortable heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, adjustable in 30 ways. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging, with an upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system. Third-row passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations. The Navigator excelled in storage and cargo space, with 546 litres behind the third-row seat, expanding to 2,925 litres with the second-row seats collapsed. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more cargo capacity.

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 included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The system offered an intuitive user interface, with physical stereo and climate controls. The Nautilus also featured Phone as a Key, turning a smartphone into a digital key.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator upgraded to a 13.2-inch touchscreen display with Sync 4, offering two data panels for navigation and music. It included Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, with physical controls for volume and climate functions. Sync 4’s voice recognition system was improved, though not perfect. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system now included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services. The test vehicle featured an optional 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, delivering sensational sound quality.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Black Label added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. ActiveGlide allowed for semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways. The Navigator’s safety features performed well, though the driver remained responsible for monitoring the road. These systems represented steps toward fully autonomous driving.