2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Volvo XC90 represented a significant evolution from the brand's earlier boxy designs, maintaining its family-friendly and safety-oriented image while stepping into the luxury class. After Volvo's acquisition by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new vehicle platforms, including the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) for the XC90, which debuted as a 2016 model. The 2022 XC90 showcased a sleek and athletic profile, with a long roofline and pronounced wheel arches. Its design elements, such as the "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights, paid homage to its Swedish heritage. Inside, the XC90 offered a "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury" aesthetic, featuring natural wood and metal trim, and options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV with a balanced design that avoided plainness through thoughtful detailing. It featured a welcoming Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence and offered a range of interior colours, including light grey premium leather. While the overall interior was decadent, some elements like the centre console design appeared less refined. The Nautilus Reserve model in Canada had a starting MSRP of $59,800, excluding destination charges. Our test vehicle included the optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, which proved ideal for long drives, enhancing the vehicle's appeal as a comfortable road-tripper.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, and the Recharge plug-in hybrid combining a gasoline engine and electric motor for a total of 455 hp and 523 lb-ft. All models featured all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The XC90's fuel efficiency varied, with the T5 achieving 11.5 L/100 km in the city and 8.4 on the highway, while the Recharge offered an 8.8 L/100 km combined rating in hybrid mode. The driving experience was smooth and engaging, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the Recharge Inscription extended range model.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine offered 335 hp and 380 lb-ft for an additional $4,000. The Nautilus featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension adjusting accordingly. The V6 engine had a fuel consumption rating of 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 the steering lacked engagement. The twin-turbo V6 provided impressive performance, especially in Sport mode, making the Nautilus unexpectedly agile on mountain roads.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered six- or seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. While the third row was suitable for children, adults would find it lacking in legroom. The XC90 provided 357 litres of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 1,855 litres with all seats folded. It could tow up to 2,250 kilograms, making it versatile for various needs. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with ample storage and a standard panoramic moonroof. The climate control system performed well, even in extreme heat, and the AWD system and heated features made it suitable for winter conditions.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments and massage programs. Rear passengers enjoyed heated seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight. The Nautilus offered practical storage, though some areas were hard to access. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 1,055 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,948 litres with the rear seats folded. Despite its high seating position and reclining seatbacks, the Nautilus felt cramped for a midsize SUV.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch touchscreen interface, offering smartphone-like gestures and Bluetooth functionality. While the system was occasionally glitchy, Apple CarPlay improved its performance. The XC90 included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system. Keyless entry and a Harman-Kardon audio system were standard on higher trims, with USB ports for device charging.

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 system included a connected navigation system, wireless 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 smartphone access to the vehicle.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety with features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and Pilot Assist. It received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite with features like forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Black Label added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The Nautilus earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick.