2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was a visually appealing SUV, striking a balance between elegance and character without appearing overly plain. Its design was cohesive, with enough detailing to give it a distinctive presence. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence added a touch of sophistication. Inside, the test vehicle featured light grey premium leather upholstery, with other colour options like sandstone, dark brown, and black available. Despite its luxurious feel, some elements like the centre console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces seemed less refined. The Nautilus Reserve model was priced at $59,800, excluding a $2,395 destination charge. The optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, priced at $1,900, were a highlight, especially for long drives.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was impossible to ignore with its bold styling, reminiscent of the Toyota Tundra pickup truck, yet distinctively redesigned for a more commanding presence. The Sequoia's traditional grille and front bumper differentiated it from the Tundra's unique appearance. Inside, the Sequoia shared an industrial theme with the Tundra, featuring leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. A massive 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the interior was available in a cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme. Despite its luxurious appearance, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $79,335 for the TRD Off-road and reaching $95,335 for the Capstone, including a $1,930 destination charge. The TRD Pro trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities, while the TRD Off-Road provided a more budget-friendly option with off-road features.

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, producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, was available 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. During a 1,400-kilometre journey, 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. In Sport mode, the V6 and suspension provided an engaging driving experience, though the steering lacked engagement.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup delivered 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. While it lacked the V8's rumble, it offered improved towing capacity, with a maximum tow rating of 4,137 kilograms in Canada. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency improved, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. During testing, it averaged 13.2 L/100 km on a mountainous loop. The Sequoia offered Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, with a 4WD system featuring 2WD, 4WD Hi, and 4WD Lo settings. The ride quality varied, with Sport and Sport+ modes providing better control over body motions. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive. Custom mode allowed drivers to tailor dynamic settings to their preferences.

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. Rear passengers enjoyed heated outboard seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Storage space was adequate, with a hands-free power liftgate revealing 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,948 litres with the back seat folded.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, with a comfortable cabin featuring soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. Heated and ventilated front and rear seats, along with a heated steering wheel, were standard. Power-deploying running boards aided entry, though taller individuals might find them cumbersome. The second-row captain's chairs lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat, mounted above the battery pack, offered limited comfort. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with 325 litres behind the third row and 2,460 litres with all seats folded, significantly less than the previous model.

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 services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The system included a connected navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The intuitive user interface and natural voice recognition system enhanced the driving experience. Phone as a Key allowed smartphone-based unlocking and starting.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia boasted a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, user accounts, and an Intelligent Assistant for directions. The system allowed simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices, though some issues arose during testing. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively prevented collisions.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, 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, 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 Toyota Sequoia included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5) as standard, featuring forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems enhanced highway driving. As of the review, crash test ratings were unavailable, but the Tundra's high IIHS rating was promising.