2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a rugged take on the traditional Outback, offering a higher stance and a more adventurous design. With 23 centimetres of ground clearance, it was equipped with aggressive all-terrain tires and restyled bumpers that improved its approach and departure angles. The Outback Wilderness featured a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, along with a matte black hood decal to reduce glare. Its roof rack system was robust, supporting a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark grey and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching. While the interior lacked ventilated seats, it offered heated ones, and the overall design injected personality into the Outback's styling.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV with a balanced yet characterful design. It featured a welcoming Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence and offered a range of interior colours, including light grey premium leather. The Nautilus exuded luxury, though some elements like the centre console design appeared less refined. The sole model available in Canada was the Lincoln Nautilus Reserve, priced at $59,800, excluding a $2,395 destination charge. The test vehicle boasted optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, perfect for long drives. Overall, the Nautilus combined elegance with comfort, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a premium SUV experience.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This engine provided ample power for the midsize crossover, which weighed 3,896 pounds and had a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Fuel efficiency was rated at 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.9 on the highway, with an average of 11.0 L/100 km on a mountainous route. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios, though its performance was less engaging compared to a dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Wilderness trim stood out with its all-wheel drive, 23 cm ground clearance, and Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, making it the most capable Outback for off-road adventures.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive were standard in Canada. For an additional $4,000, a twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine was available, offering 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The Nautilus featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension included with the V6. Fuel consumption for the V6 was rated at 11.2 L/100 km combined, with a maximum range of 730 kilometres on the highway. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, offering a quiet and comfortable ride, though its steering lacked engagement. Despite this, the twin-turbocharged V6 provided impressive performance, making the Nautilus unexpectedly athletic on mountain roads.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark grey StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant simulated leather that kept moisture at bay. While the seats were heated, the lack of ventilation made them uncomfortable in hot weather. The driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat had 4-way manual adjustment. Rear seat space was generous, with ample head and legroom for two adults or three children. The cargo area provided 920 litres of space behind the rear seat and 2,144 litres with the seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also boasted a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

Inside the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, occupants were greeted with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control. Both front seats were heated and ventilated, with the optional 22-way power front seats offering exceptional comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed heated outboard seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. The Nautilus offered practical storage, though some areas were hard to access. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a well-finished luggage compartment, with 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,948 litres with the seat folded down.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated climate control. While physical knobs and buttons were provided for basic functions, most controls required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less intuitive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered superior functionality. Despite its target demographic, the Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other Outback trims.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software, offering over-the-air updates, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The test vehicle included a connected navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The user interface was intuitive, with physical stereo and climate controls. The Nautilus also featured Phone as a Key, allowing smartphones to unlock and start the vehicle.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness also had steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. While crash-test results for the Wilderness were unavailable, the standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite, featuring 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 earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.