2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Genesis GV80

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV that balanced style and character without appearing awkward or plain. Lincoln's attention to detail was evident, with features like the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence that greeted drivers after dark. The interior of the test vehicle featured light grey premium leather upholstery, with other colour options available, creating a decadent atmosphere. However, the centre console design and some chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared somewhat cheap. The Nautilus Reserve model, the only one offered 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 were perfect for long drives.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication and grace with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille, presenting a stately presence just shy of 5 metres long. The Prestige trim tester featured 22-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its elegant look, especially with the matte Brunswick Green paint job. The interior continued the dark green theme with quilted leather seats, complemented by thin horizontal air vents, metal, and matte wood trim. The centre console was highlighted by three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes, while the two-spoke steering wheel added a unique touch. Despite a minor annoyance with the 14.5-inch infotainment screen's placement, the spacious and luxurious interior was a pleasant environment.

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 was available, producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque for an additional $4,000. The SUV offered Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behaviour, steering effort, and adaptive suspension. 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. Over 1,400 kilometres, it averaged 9.4 L/100 km. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, offering a quiet and comfortable ride with a 19-speaker Revel audio system. Despite its shared engineering with the Ford Edge, the Nautilus displayed unexpected grace and athleticism on mountain roads.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured standard all-wheel drive and offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, or a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. While not particularly athletic or quick, the GV80 excelled in highway driving, with smooth power delivery and shifts. The electronically controlled suspension scanned the road for roughness, enhancing the ride quality. Active noise cancellation contributed to a quiet and smooth highway commute.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated steering wheel. The optional 22-way power front seats provided exceptional comfort, even on long journeys. Rear passengers enjoyed heated outboard seating positions 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. Practical storage space was adequate, though some areas were hard to access.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with luxury features. Standard heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel were complemented by ventilated front and rear seats in the tester. The Ergo driver’s seat reduced fatigue with inflatable pockets. The GV80 offered a third-row option, though legroom was limited. The proximity key and digital key provided convenience, while the tri-zone climate control and 21-speaker Lexicon sound system enhanced comfort. The GV80 boasted one of the largest cargo spaces in its class, with 988 litres behind the second row, expanding to 2,378 litres with the seats folded. Towing capacity was 2,720 kilograms.

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, 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 intuitive user interface and natural voice recognition system were highlights, while the Revel speakers delivered excellent sound quality. The Phone as a Key feature allowed smartphones to unlock and start the Nautilus.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. The infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, and the dial control was cumbersome, though it detected handwriting for navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, though not wirelessly. The GV80 included wireless charging, four USB ports, a 12-volt outlet, and a 110-volt outlet. Remote smart parking assist allowed the vehicle to park itself without the driver inside, a standout feature.

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, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Black Label added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera system, and rear parking sensors. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Blind-Spot View Monitor system provided a video feed of the blind spot in the digital gauge cluster. Highway Drive Assist used cameras, radar, and navigation to provide a hands-on/eyes-up driving aid. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating for crashworthiness from the IIHS, though the headlights and LATCH system were rated Acceptable.