2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Toyota Venza

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in its Black Label trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels, was an attractive SUV. Its styling was balanced and detailed, giving it plenty of character without appearing plain. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence greeted drivers, and the Black Label model offered interior design themes like Chalet and Flight, featuring premium leather upholstery and luxury floor mats. However, some elements like the center console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces looked a bit cheap.

The 2022 Toyota Venza, reintroduced for the 2021 model year, rode on the proven Toyota New Global Architecture K (TGNA-K) platform. Measuring 186.6 inches long, 73.0 inches wide, and 65.9 inches tall, it had excellent proportions and a modern exterior design that could fit into the Lexus lineup. The interior was elegant with high-quality materials, featuring a layered dash and well-placed touchscreen displays. The front seats were supportive, and the rear seats could comfortably accommodate three adults.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered two engine options. The standard and Reserve trims came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive as an option. The Black Label trim included a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine generating 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, requiring all-wheel drive. The Nautilus featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behavior and steering effort. The twin-turbo V6 had an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg combined, with a maximum range of 450 miles. Over 871.1 miles, it averaged 25 mpg. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, offering a quiet and comfortable ride with a 19-speaker Revel audio system.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine and three electric motors, producing a combined 219 horsepower. It balanced electric and gas drive for optimal efficiency and performance, with drivers able to choose electric-only operation for short distances or select among Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes. Regenerative braking helped recharge the lithium-ion battery, and the main charge came from the gas engine. The Venza offered sprightly performance and agile handling, feeling maneuverable like the Camry. It delivered a comfortable ride, suitable for a midsize family hauler.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label featured smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control and acoustic glass. Both front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The optional 22-way power front seats with massage programs were exceptionally comfortable. The rear seats were heated, but legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. The Nautilus offered 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 68.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2022 Toyota Venza seated five in two rows, with good headroom and legroom in both rows. The second row had 45.2 inches of hip room, adequate for three adults. The cabin featured numerous convenience features, including an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, electric parking brake, and ample storage options. The Venza offered 28.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 55.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. Toyota focused on making the Venza's cabin a quiet oasis, adding sound-blocking and absorbing insulation throughout.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. Sync 4 offered over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The Black Label trim included connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system had an intuitive user interface, physical stereo and climate controls, and a natural voice recognition system. The Phone as a Key feature allowed the smartphone to unlock and start the Nautilus.

The 2022 Toyota Venza's hybrid powertrain required no special attention, offering a transparent operation without the need for charging infrastructure. The Venza featured a Predicted Efficient Drive (PED) program that optimized battery charging based on driving habits. The LE and XLE models came with an eight-inch touchscreen, while the Limited added a nine-speaker JBL audio system and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Both setups included Toyota Connected Services, Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, and WiFi Connect. The Limited trim offered an Advanced Technology Package with a head-up display and rain-sensing wipers.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Black Label added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but had not been assessed by the IIHS.

The 2022 Toyota Venza included the Toyota Star Safety System with stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, smart stop technology, and a rearview camera. It also had eight airbags and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, and road-sign assist. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.