2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Volvo XC60

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV that balanced style and character without appearing awkward or plain. Lincoln's attention to detail was evident, and the vehicle's design was complemented by a welcoming Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence that greeted drivers after dark. Inside, the test vehicle featured light grey premium leather upholstery, with other interior 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, the only one available in Canada, had a Manufacturer’s Retail Suggested Price (MSRP) of $59,800, excluding a $2,395 destination charge. The test vehicle also included optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, which proved perfect for long drives.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge, with its Ultimate package and Dark exterior theme, exuded a sense of style and design leadership that Volvo had been known for over the years. The XC60's exterior, sitting on 20-inch wheels with appealing paint and blacked-out trim, looked terrific. Inside, the classic Scandinavian minimalism, colourways, and materials created an opulent atmosphere. The test car's black leather interior was enhanced by handsome wood trim, metal accents, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and an Orrefors crystal gear selector knob. While the overall theme was aging, it did so gracefully, and the XC60's interior was a testament to Volvo's commitment to style and comfort.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine was available, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque 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. Over 1,400 kilometres, the SUV 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. However, the steering lacked engagement, despite the SUV's unexpected grace and athleticism on mountain roads.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine driving the front wheels, while an electric motor powered the rear wheels, producing a combined 455 horsepower and 423 lb-ft of torque. The XC60 offered several driving modes, including Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD, with options for Auto, Hold, and Charge regarding battery usage. The XC60 Recharge accelerated to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, making it exceptionally quick. The drivetrain refresh in mid-2022 made the XC60 Recharge the most powerful in Volvo's history. In Pure mode, the XC60 achieved an electric driving range of 61 km before switching to hybrid operation. The XC60's Power mode enhanced responsiveness and handling, while Pure and Hybrid modes provided a soft, compliant ride. The XC60 averaged 4.3 L/100 km over a 105-kilometre evaluation route, showcasing its impressive fuel efficiency.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a luxurious interior with 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. The optional 22-way power front seats provided exceptional comfort, even on long journeys. Rear passengers enjoyed heated seats and air conditioning vents, but legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Practical storage space was adequate, with a hands-free power liftgate revealing 1,055 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,948 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, a compact crossover SUV, was best suited for four passengers, though it could accommodate five. The front seats, wrapped in Nappa leather, offered outstanding comfort with heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions. The back seats were comfortable but lacked legroom for taller passengers. Storage space was decent, with practical spots for smaller items and a power liftgate revealing 730 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,792 litres. The XC60 featured a ski pass-through panel and buttons to lower the suspension for easier loading.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. Sync 4 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 test vehicle included a connected navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system's intuitive interface and natural voice recognition were highlights, and the Phone as a Key feature allowed smartphone use as a digital key.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 came with a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and a Google Built-in infotainment system with four years of complimentary access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Wi-Fi access. The 9-inch touchscreen, mounted portrait-style, offered excellent graphics and an intuitive interface. The voice-recognition system impressed, and the optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system delivered sensational audio quality.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite of driver-assist features, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Black Label added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, known for its safety innovations, featured Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and lane-centring capability. Oncoming Lane Mitigation helped avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles. The XC60 B5 and B6 mild-hybrids earned top safety ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for 2022.