2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV that managed to balance character and elegance without appearing awkward or overly plain. Its design included thoughtful detailing that added to its charm. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence provided a welcoming touch. The interior of the test vehicle featured light grey premium leather upholstery, with other colour options like sandstone, dark brown, and black available. However, some elements, such as the centre console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces, appeared somewhat cheap, detracting from the overall luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S offered a more performance-oriented aesthetic. The fourth-generation MDX was the first Acura SUV to sport the Type S badge, with subtle design cues that hinted at its capabilities. The exterior featured chicane-design LED running lights, taillights, and 21-inch wheels that gave it a commanding presence. Inside, the Type S Ultra trim boasted quilted leather, aluminum interior trim, and a Sport Appearance package. Despite its appealing design, some aspects, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made controls difficult to use, and the electronic transmission switchgear was occasionally confusing.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 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 was available, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque for an additional $4,000. The Nautilus offered Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension adjusting accordingly. The twin-turbo V6 had a fuel consumption rating of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a maximum highway range of 730 kilometres. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, providing a quiet and comfortable ride, although the steering lacked engagement.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. The MDX Type S offered Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, along with a Lift mode for increased ground clearance. Despite the performance enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience, with issues like an indecisive transmission, poor brake pedal modulation, and dismal fuel economy. The MDX Type S averaged 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres during testing, falling short of its official rating.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet cabin. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments and massage programs. However, the rear seating was cramped for a midsize SUV, with limited legroom. The Nautilus provided 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and a maximum of 1,948 litres with the back seat folded down. Practical storage was adequate, though some areas were hard to access.

The 2023 Acura MDX provided three rows of seating, with the option to remove the centre section of the second row for easier access to the third row. The Type S Ultra trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the seats were firm and didn't hold occupants in place during spirited driving. The MDX offered 461 litres of cargo space behind the third row, 1,107 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,021 litres with both rear rows down. The cabin prioritized style over storage, with limited space for personal items.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. The system included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The intuitive interface and physical controls for stereo and climate functions were appreciated, and the Phone as a Key feature allowed smartphone-based access to the vehicle.

The 2023 Acura MDX's Digital Precision Cockpit included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display, operated via a True Touchpad Interface. The system supported Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In. However, the touchpad interface was less intuitive than a touchscreen, and the native voice recognition system was frustrating. The MDX offered a high-end ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers, delivering impressive sound quality.

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 a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The 2023 Acura MDX included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The MDX also offered rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the lane-departure warning system was less refined, and the adaptive cruise control was slow to resume speed. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.