2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV that balanced character with elegance. Its design was neither awkward nor plain, featuring enough detailing to give it a distinctive presence. Approaching the SUV after dark, drivers were greeted by a Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence, adding a touch of luxury. The interior of the test vehicle boasted light grey premium leather upholstery, with other colour options available, creating a decadent atmosphere. However, the centre console design and some chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared somewhat cheap, detracting from the overall premium feel.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 underwent subtle styling changes, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design to improve aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colours were introduced, and the rear VW logo was illuminated. While the ID.4 was easily distinguishable as an EV, it lacked the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. Despite this, the ID.4's minimalist interior design and quality materials carried over from VW's gasoline models, offering a sense of refinement. The base model featured leatherette upholstery with recycled fibre inserts, maintaining a high standard of quality.

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, 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 range of 730 kilometres on the highway. The SUV excelled as a road-tripper, providing a quiet and comfortable ride, enhanced by a 19-speaker Revel audio system.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base model with rear-wheel drive, while the Pro model retained the 82-kWh pack, available with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Single electric motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain increased output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 109 kilograms, enhancing acceleration and handling. The ID.4's regenerative braking system allowed for coasting in its default setting, providing a familiar experience for EV newcomers.

Inside the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, occupants enjoyed smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive, thanks to Active Noise Control and acoustic glass. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated steering wheel. Optional 22-way power front seats offered multiple massage programs and adjustable features for optimal comfort. However, rear legroom was tight for a midsize SUV, and practical storage space was limited. The Nautilus provided 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,948 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with ample front and rear legroom and headroom. It provided 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,818 litres with the seats folded. The ID.4 also offered towing capabilities, with a capacity of 1,000 kilograms for RWD models and 1,225 kg for AWD models. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage. Three-zone climate control and heated outboard rear seats were available, enhancing passenger comfort.

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, while Phone as a Key allowed smartphones to unlock and start the vehicle.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster and natural-language voice recognition were also included. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel lacked physical feedback, making them distracting. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation assistance, but could be easily overlooked during normal driving.

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 safety rating from the NHTSA and was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ rating, with top scores in crash tests and front crash prevention. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.