2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Toyota Venza

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV that managed to strike a balance between elegance and character. Its design was neither awkward nor plain, 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. However, despite its overall decadence, the centre console design and some chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared somewhat cheap.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Venza was a midsize crossover SUV with a sleek and sculpted design, setting it apart from the typical boxy vehicles in its class. Its shape, with a tapering rear roofline, avoided the weak appearance of some "coupe-like" SUVs. The contoured body was a departure from the usual Toyota design, with harmonious curves reminiscent of a Mazda. Inside, the Venza borrowed heavily from the RAV4 but dressed up the cabin with nicer materials and details, approaching Lexus's level of luxury. The overall styling was cohesive and graceful, making it one of the best-looking vehicles in Toyota's lineup.

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 in Canada. For an additional $4,000, a 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, adjusting powertrain behaviour, steering effort, and adaptive suspension. The V6 engine had a fuel consumption rating of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a maximum range of 730 kilometres on the highway. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, offering a quiet and comfortable ride, enhanced by a 19-speaker Revel audio system.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system, producing 219 horsepower. It used a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to send power to the front wheels, while a separate electric motor powered the rear wheels for standard all-wheel drive. The Venza's acceleration was respectable, reaching 100 km/h in just over 7.5 seconds. It prioritized ride comfort over sporty handling, with light steering effort and adequate handling. The Venza's ride quality was smoother than the RAV4 Hybrid's but not as plush as a Lexus. It offered a comfortable and calm driving experience, though maneuverability could be improved.

Inside the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, occupants enjoyed 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, even on long journeys. Rear passengers had heated seats and air conditioning vents, but legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. The Nautilus offered 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,948 litres with the back seat folded.

The 2023 Toyota Venza's front seats provided ample space for taller occupants, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The Star Gaze panoramic roof, standard on the Limited trim, could turn opaque at the touch of a button. Rear seats offered sufficient space for average adults, with abundant legroom and foot room. The Venza's cargo capacity was limited to 816 litres, significantly less than competitors. However, it excelled in holding smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and a deep centre armrest bin.

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. The Phone as a Key feature allowed smartphones to unlock and start the Nautilus.

The 2023 Toyota Venza came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim had an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the XLE trim and above featured a 12.3-inch display. The new infotainment system offered sharp graphics, quick responses, and a logical menu structure. The Venza XLE and Limited trims included a one-year trial of Drive Connect services, activated by saying "Hey Toyota." The base audio system had six speakers, while the XLE and Limited models featured a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was 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, 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 Toyota Venza earned five stars in overall and side crash protection from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal and rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings, except for an "Acceptable" score in the new side impact test. It was named a Top Safety Pick. The Venza came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. The XLE added parking sensors and reverse emergency braking, while the Limited trim featured a surround-view camera, head-up display, and digital rearview mirror.