2022 Porsche Macan vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 Porsche Macan retained its signature design, closely resembling the original model introduced in 2015. Despite regular updates, the Macan's styling remained largely unchanged, with a few enhancements such as larger standard wheels, new wheel designs, and a refreshed centre console featuring haptic touch controls. The Macan lineup in Canada included four models: the base Macan, Macan T, Macan S, and Macan GTS, with the Macan Turbo's high-output powertrain now found in the GTS. Our test vehicle, a Macan S, showcased a sleek Volcano Gray exterior with 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, embodying Porsche's tradition of graceful aging and athletic aesthetics.

Inside, the Macan drew inspiration from other Porsche models, featuring a left-side ignition switch, a large tachometer, and a flat dashboard. The interior, adorned with red leather, gloss black trim, and silver metallic accents, exuded an upscale, sporty vibe. The Macan S, priced at $73,400 CAD before destination charges, offered extensive customization options, potentially increasing the final price by at least $25,000 CAD. Despite its sporty nature, the Macan provided a comfortable driving experience, with supportive front seats and a well-designed cabin.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus presented an attractive and balanced design, with enough detailing to give it character. The SUV greeted drivers with a Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence, enhancing its appeal. Our test vehicle featured light gray premium leather upholstery, with other interior colour options available. While the overall design was luxurious, some elements, like the centre console and chrome-plated plastic pieces, appeared less refined.

Priced at $59,800 CAD before destination charges, the Nautilus Reserve was the sole model available in Canada. Our test vehicle included optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, perfect for long drives. The Nautilus excelled in comfort, offering a quiet and cozy ride, especially with its massaging and heated seats. Despite its luxurious features, the centre console design and some materials fell short of expectations, but the overall experience remained pleasant and comfortable.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the base Macan and Macan T, producing 261 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Macan GTS inherited the 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 from the previous Macan Turbo, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Our Macan S test vehicle featured a twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6, generating 375 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, capable of accelerating to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package and launch control.

All Macans came with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable AWD system, emphasizing rear-wheel power distribution. The 2022 Macan's steering and suspension were re-tuned for improved ride and handling, with larger 20-inch standard wheels and PASM adaptive damping air suspension. Our test vehicle included optional PTV+ and PSCB, enhancing its performance on twisty roads. The Macan S offered a thrilling driving experience, with precise handling and impressive grip, though the brake pedal required more effort than expected. Fuel consumption was close to the official rating, at 13.0 L/100 km.

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 AWD in Canada. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine, available for an additional $4,000 CAD, delivered 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.

During our test drive, the Nautilus excelled in comfort, with the V6 engine providing a smooth and quiet ride. The SUV averaged 9.4 L/100 km over 1,400 kilometres, with a maximum range of 730 kilometres on the highway. The Nautilus proved to be a capable road-tripper, with a quiet cabin and excellent sound quality from the 19-speaker Revel audio system. In Sport mode, the V6 and suspension delivered a more engaging driving experience, though the steering lacked engagement. Despite sharing engineering with the Ford Edge, the Nautilus maintained its own character, offering a graceful and athletic performance.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a comfortable driving experience, with optional 14-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. However, the rear seats were cramped, especially for taller passengers. The Macan's new steering wheels, modelled after the 911 sports car, felt thin and uncomfortable during long drives. The redesigned centre console with haptic touch controls looked advanced but required drivers to look away from the road to use them. Cargo space measured 488 litres behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,503 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive. The optional 22-way power front seats offered exceptional comfort, even on long journeys. Rear passengers enjoyed heated seats and air conditioning vents, though 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 2022 Porsche Macan came equipped with a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. The system included touch-sensing virtual buttons and proximity sensing, though the voice recognition system was less effective than competitors. Stereo volume and climate controls were separate from the touchscreen, providing easy access to frequently adjusted features.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software, offering over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system included a connected navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The user interface was intuitive, with separate physical stereo and climate controls. The Nautilus also offered Phone as a Key, turning a smartphone into a digital key.

The 2022 Porsche Macan included standard lane-departure warning and a reversing camera, with optional blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Macan's safety technologies performed as expected, though more advanced driving assistance tech was limited. Parking assistance features, such as a surround-view camera and Park Assist, were available.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Black Label added 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 rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.