2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was a visually appealing SUV, characterized by a balanced and detailed design that added character without appearing plain. Upon approaching the vehicle 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 available, creating a luxurious atmosphere. However, some elements, like the centre console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces, detracted from the overall opulence. The Nautilus Reserve model was available in Canada for an MSRP of $59,800, excluding a $2,395 destination charge. The test vehicle included optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, which proved ideal for long drives.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a modernist and reductive design philosophy, focusing on clean and simple aesthetics. While not flashy, the test vehicle in Eiger Grey paint with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, combined with aluminum and shiny black trim, created a sophisticated ambiance. The Range Rover Sport was available in various specifications, with the Dynamic SE model tested featuring heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and other premium features. The MSRP exceeded $120,000, factoring in delivery charges and luxury tax. Notable design highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and advanced aerodynamics.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a standard 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, producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, was available for an additional $4,000. The SUV featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behaviour, steering effort, and adaptive suspension. The twin-turbo V6 achieved 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, enhanced by a 19-speaker Revel audio system. While the steering lacked engagement, the SUV displayed unexpected grace and athleticism on mountain roads.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available, offering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The SUV's 395-hp inline-six accelerated to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system. It could tow up to 3,500 kilograms. The Range Rover Sport averaged 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres on the evaluation route, with a suburban highway drive returning 9.4 L/100 km. The SUV's new architecture increased torsional stiffness by 35 percent, and the adaptive damping air suspension adjusted up to 500 times per second. However, the steering lacked involvement, and the SUV felt tall and heavy on twisty roads. Off-road, it excelled with advanced suspension and impressive ground clearance.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive, thanks to Active Noise Control and acoustic glass. Heated and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel, added comfort. The optional 22-way power front seats provided exceptional comfort, even on long journeys. Rear passengers enjoyed heated outboard seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Practical 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 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. The test vehicle featured Windsor leather, 20-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat, while bucketed and supportive, lacked legroom and had hard front seatback panels. Storage space was decent, with a power liftgate revealing a 903-litre cargo area, expandable to 1,500 litres. The SUV included a full-size spare and a contraption to prevent items from rolling around.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. It offered over-the-air updates, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect, 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 system was intuitive, with physical stereo and climate controls, and the natural voice recognition worked well. Phone as a Key allowed smartphone use as a digital key.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport had a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an Online Pack. While intuitive, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was often confusing and frustrating. The SUV's native digital assistant struggled with basic tasks, and the automatic driver exit assist feature was inconvenient. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems, Active Noise Cancellation, and a wireless smartphone charging pad.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite, 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 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist was available. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were less responsive and smooth than expected, with steering assist struggling on highway curves.