2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2024 Toyota Sequoia

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, available exclusively in Reserve trim in Canada, showcased a sophisticated and streamlined exterior design, hinting at a new direction for Lincoln. Its grille, reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz's bifurcated design, featured LED lighting that extended through the grille, illuminating the Lincoln star logo. The rear mirrored this horizontal aesthetic with a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports. The interior was the highlight, with a full-width screen as its crown jewel. The materials used were of excellent quality, featuring ambient lighting, open-pore wood, and fine leather. The piano key shifter style, a Lincoln tradition since the mid-1950s, was a notable design element. An optional Jet Appearance Package added two-tone paint, black exterior trim, 22-inch wheels, and unique interior bits for an additional $3,750.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform and several design cues with the Tundra pickup, including hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The exterior colour significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model featuring more chrome brightwork. Inside, the Sequoia closely resembled the Tundra and other contemporary Toyota vehicles, with a blocky, geometric dash layout and physical dials and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim featured semi-aniline leather upholstery, while SofTex leatherette and leather were standard on lower trims. The Sequoia offered power-adjustable front seats across the lineup and a power-tilt and -slide moonroof. The interior was spacious, with a focus on practicality and comfort, although the design felt somewhat dated.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The power delivery was smooth, and shifts were subtle. For an additional $3,500, buyers could opt for a hybrid setup, increasing output to 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, with a fuel economy of 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The hybrid offered a range of over 950 kilometres. All Nautilus models featured all-wheel drive and five drive modes, with an adaptive suspension available for enhanced performance. The hybrid's continuously variable transmission (CVT) was well-tuned, avoiding the typical droning associated with CVTs.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was offered exclusively in hybrid format, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This setup combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, delivering 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 11.7 L/100 km combined with four-wheel drive. Standard 4WD included a selector for 4Hi, 4Lo, and 2WD. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the Sequoia's on-road handling was adequate for its class. The SR5 TRD Off-Road model offered adventure-readiness with unique tires, off-road suspension, and driver-assist features like Crawl Control. The Sequoia's maximum towing capacity was 4,137 kilograms, with several towing-related upgrades available.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus offered power-adjustable, heated, and cooled front seats, with the 24-way Perfect Position front seats providing exceptional comfort. The rear seats, while not as luxurious, offered 1,095 millimetres of legroom, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The Lincoln Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images to create different moods. Cargo space was generous, with 997 litres behind the second row and 1,947 litres with the seats folded down. The Nautilus was available only with seating for five, prioritizing cargo space over additional seating.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured automatic power-deploying running boards on the Capstone and Platinum trims, aiding entry for shorter passengers. The Sequoia offered a maximum of 2,460 litres of cargo space with both second- and third-row seats folded. The third-row seats, positioned above the hybrid powertrain's battery pack, did not create a flat load floor when folded. Headroom was slightly reduced, and legroom varied across rows. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, providing comfort but lacking bolstering. The Sequoia's interior focused on practicality, with ample space for passengers and cargo.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured a stunning 48-inch curved display, with customizable sections for weather, audio, and trip information. An 11.1-inch touchscreen handled basic infotainment duties, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. HVAC controls were accessible via permanent icons, though vent adjustments required navigating menus. Unlabelled steering wheel controls were a distraction, but the inclusion of Google Maps, Alexa Built-in, and over-the-air updates added convenience. Wireless charging and USB ports were standard throughout the cabin.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's Capstone trim boasted a 14-inch centre touchscreen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across all trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality over flashiness. A full-colour 12.3-inch driver information display was standard, and the Panoramic View monitor was included on higher trims. A 10-inch colour head-up display was standard on Capstone, and a 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was available on Limited and standard on Platinum and Capstone.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with the Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite of ADAS features, including lane-keeping assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and emergency braking. Blue Cruise 1.2 technology offered hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, with features like automatic lane-change assist and In-Lane Repositioning. The 2024 Nautilus had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2023 model received high scores for crash protection. The IIHS rated the 2024 Nautilus "Good" in crashworthiness.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite of safety and driver-assistance features as standard. This included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The only optional driver aid was a trailer backup guide with Straight-Path Assist. The 2024 Sequoia had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar 2024 Toyota Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.