2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV that balanced elegance with character. Its design was neither awkward nor plain, featuring enough detailing to stand out. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence added a touch of sophistication. The interior of our test vehicle was adorned with light grey premium leather upholstery, though other colour options like sandstone, dark brown, and black were available. Despite its luxurious feel, some elements like the centre console design and 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. Our test vehicle was equipped with optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, which were ideal for long drives.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler exuded a rugged, no-nonsense design with its brick-like appearance and lack of curves. Available in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions, the Wrangler allowed for door removal, and the optional Dual-Door Group added half doors for enhanced visibility. The windshield could fold down for an open-air experience, and various top options were available for adventurous exploring. The Wrangler featured Jeep’s iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and exterior hood latches. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted for easy cargo access. Our tester sported the limited-edition "Reign" purple paint, adding a unique flair. The interior was practical, with easy-to-clean materials and a straightforward design. However, it lacked ambient lighting and massaging seats, focusing instead on functionality.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It featured an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD) 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 Nautilus 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. It shared engineering with the Ford Edge, hinting at a spirited driving experience.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of engine options for off-road enthusiasts. The standard Pentastar V6 engine produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were available with an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. The 3.0-litre Ecodiesel V6 offered 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, while the Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-litre V8 engine with 470 hp and torque. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid combined two electric motors with a 17.3-kWh battery pack, offering 35 kilometres of all-electric range. Our tester, the Rubicon 392, boasted impressive off-road capabilities with a crawl ratio of 58:1. However, its brakes and steering were less refined for on-road performance. The Wrangler's solid axles provided excellent off-road prowess, but the Ford Bronco offered a more comfortable on-road experience.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet ride thanks to Active Noise Control. Both front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The optional 22-way power front seats offered exceptional comfort with massage programs and adjustable features. Rear passengers enjoyed heated outboard seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Practical storage was limited, with hard-to-access locations behind the stereo and climate controls. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a well-finished luggage compartment, offering 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,948 litres with the back seat folded.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's front seats were comfortable, but heated seats were only available on select models or with a cold-weather package. Ventilated seats were not offered. The rear seat could fit three in four-door models, but space was tight, and the small rear doors made access challenging. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash and small glove box and centre console. The Wrangler offered 2,050 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The hard top could be removed in one piece, and the Sunrider option provided a quick open-air experience. The soft top was easy to remove, though the plastic rear window could be cumbersome. The Sky One-Touch power soft top offered convenient open-air access. The Wrangler provided ample charging points, including USB-A and USB-C ports and a 115-volt outlet.

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. Our test vehicle included a connected navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system's intuitive interface and natural voice recognition enhanced the driving experience. The Phone as a Key feature allowed smartphone access to unlock and start the Nautilus.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running Uconnect, while our tester had the larger 8.4-inch screen. Uconnect offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Jeep's off-road pages provided valuable information for off-road adventures. The Wrangler included a forward-facing camera and auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories. However, it lacked a digital key and over-the-air updates for vehicle performance.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came 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 trim added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, featuring 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 Jeep Wrangler offered limited standard safety features, including a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard on top trims or available as options. The Wrangler lacked lane-keeping assist. The IIHS ratings were mixed, with some trims receiving Poor headlight rankings. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler a four-star frontal crash test rating and a three-star rollover rating.