2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV, boasting a design that was neither awkward nor plain. Lincoln added enough detailing to ensure the Nautilus had plenty of character. Upon approaching the SUV after dark, a Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence greeted drivers. The interior of our test vehicle featured light grey premium leather upholstery, with other colour options like sandstone, dark brown, and black available. Despite its decadent appeal, the centre console design and some chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared somewhat cheap.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models, offered a redesigned look. While the RX 350h Luxury test vehicle maintained a subtle appearance, the RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its Copper paint job, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling. The RX models carried a blunt-nosed design, with a wheelbase stretch that reduced the rear overhang, making the SUV appear smaller. Inside, the RX adopted a cleaner, minimalistic appearance with contemporary textures and detailing, featuring backlit ambient lighting for a modern touch.

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. The Nautilus offered Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension adjusting accordingly. The SUV averaged 9.4 L/100 km over 1,400 kilometres, with a maximum range of 730 kilometres on the highway. The twin-turbo V6 provided impressive performance, especially in Sport mode, though the steering lacked engagement.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured a new powertrain for the RX 350h, with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. It was expected to average 6.5 L/100 km in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated fuel consumption of 8.6 L/100 km. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering system provided a more engaging driving experience. However, the RX 500h averaged 11.3 L/100 km during testing, while the RX 350h achieved 7.4 L/100 km.

Inside the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, occupants found 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. Rear passengers enjoyed heated seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight. The Nautilus offered 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,948 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided comfort with ten-way power-adjustable front seats in the RX 350h Luxury trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power seats with larger bolsters. The RX housed its battery packs under the rear seat, offering good legroom but tight headroom. Cargo space was 838 litres behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with the seats folded, an improvement over the previous model.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen with Sync 4 software, offering over-the-air updates, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system was intuitive, with physical stereo and climate controls, and included Phone as a Key technology.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription services for full functionality. It included Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant. The system had some usability issues, such as reflections on the screen and a lack of a tuning knob. The available head-up display had dual-function touch-sensing control pads, which could be problematic with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Black Label added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick by IIHS.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid included Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and more. Proactive Driving Assist was available, and the RX Hybrid models used regenerative braking. The system had some irritations, such as the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction tech.