2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV that managed to strike a balance between character and elegance without appearing awkward or overly simplistic. Its design was complemented by a welcoming Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence that greeted drivers approaching the vehicle after dark. Inside, the Nautilus offered a range of interior colour options, including light grey premium leather upholstery, which added to its luxurious feel. However, some elements, such as the centre console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces, detracted slightly from its overall opulence.

In contrast, the 2023 Audi Q5 combined subtle curves with angular accents, resulting in a classy yet sporty appearance. Available in both the regular SUV and the sleeker Sportback body styles, the Q5 managed to avoid the awkward rear-end design seen in some rivals. Inside, the Q5's refined layout, though showing signs of age, featured standard leather seating and heated front seats. The cabin was equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen, and while materials quality was good, it no longer felt as special compared to newer non-luxury competitors. The Q5's build quality was robust, ensuring a quiet and comfortable ride.

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. 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, each adjusting powertrain behaviour, steering effort, and suspension settings. The V6 engine, combined with the adaptive suspension, provided a comfortable and quiet ride, although the steering lacked engagement. Fuel consumption for the V6 was rated at 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a maximum highway range of 730 kilometres.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI quattro featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI quattro increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid delivered 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an electric-only range of 37 kilometres. All Q5s came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a noticeable delay in power delivery, but once underway, it provided adequate power. The Q5's handling was sporty, with precise steering and a good balance between compliance and cornering, although spirited drivers might prefer the higher-performing SQ5.

Inside the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, occupants were greeted with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments and massage programs. 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 1,055 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,948 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since 2018 but continued to impress with its well-placed infotainment touchscreen and traditional controls. Visibility was good, aided by a narrow front roof pillar. The cabin offered ample space for taller passengers, with the Sportback model sacrificing only 0.6 cm of headroom. Storage options were varied, though some were oddly sized. The Q5 provided 730 litres of cargo space, slightly reduced to 700 litres in the Sportback, with door pockets accommodating larger items.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software, offering over-the-air updates, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system included a 19-speaker Revel audio system, connected navigation, and a natural voice recognition system. The Phone as a Key feature allowed smartphones to unlock and start the vehicle, providing convenience for drivers.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering sharp graphics and quick responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, along with Bluetooth and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims featured a Bang & Olufsen audio system and Audi's virtual cockpit digital instrument panel. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, with Audi Connect Care service providing additional features like a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was equipped 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 Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The 2023 Audi Q5 also received high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and matrix-design LED headlights. Optional rear-seat side impact airbags were available on all trims.