2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV with a balanced design that avoided plainness through thoughtful detailing. Its character was enhanced by features like the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence, which greeted drivers after dark. The interior of the test vehicle featured light grey premium leather upholstery, with other colour options available. Despite its overall decadence, some elements like the centre console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared somewhat cheap. The Nautilus Reserve model in Canada had an 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 a highlight, especially for long drives.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Aviator was a midsize crossover with a striking modern Lincoln face and grille. The Grand Touring model combined a twin-turbo V6 with a hybrid system, offering standard AWD. Prices ranged from $73,400 to $85,400, with a fully loaded version costing $103,745 in Canada. The Aviator's design was sophisticated, though the wheel designs on the Grand Touring model were considered plain. The interior was luxurious, featuring patterned metal trim, gloss black surfaces, and chrome accents. However, some chrome detailing felt cheap, and the key fob was bulky and plasticky. The Aviator's cabin was a mix of high-end materials, but its design leaned more towards Art Deco than minimalism.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and AWD in Canada. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine offered 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The Nautilus featured 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 Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, offering a quiet and comfortable ride, though the steering lacked engagement.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, delivered impressive power with 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. It offered 34 kilometres of electric driving range and averaged 10.3 L/100 km in hybrid mode. The Aviator featured multiple driving modes, including Pure EV and Preserve EV, to optimize efficiency. During testing, it achieved 1.4 L/100 km using electric power. The Aviator's handling was commendable, with an adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension providing a smooth ride. However, the steering was heavy and numb, and the drivetrain's response was sometimes unpredictable. Despite its power, the Aviator was more about comfort than driving excitement.

Inside the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, occupants enjoyed smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments offering exceptional comfort. Rear seating was heated, but legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Storage space was adequate, though some areas were hard to access. The Nautilus offered 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,948 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort with features like a four-zone climate control system and massaging 30-way Perfect Position front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs were spacious, but the third row was cramped, with limited legroom. Cargo space was 519 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,183 litres with it folded, and a maximum of 2,200 litres with all seats down. The Aviator's interior was luxurious but not ideal for accommodating adults in the third row.

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. The system included a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM 360L, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The infotainment interface was intuitive, with physical controls for stereo and climate settings. Phone as a Key technology allowed smartphone use as a digital key.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Sync 3 software, which was less effective in voice recognition. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system was impressive, and the vehicle featured digital instrumentation and a head-up display. Smartphone-related tech included wireless charging and Phone as a Key. The Aviator also had parking sensors and a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Black Label added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus with adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The Nautilus earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator featured Co-Pilot360 1.5, 1.5 Plus, and 2.0 driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, and pedestrian detection. The test model had blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and evasive steering assist. The Aviator's safety tech performed well, though the steering wheel controls were unnecessarily complex. The standard Aviator received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.