GMC Yukon vs Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 GMC Yukon was a striking presence on the road, especially for those with a penchant for chrome. Even the base SLE model boasted enough shiny elements to give it a premium appearance. As one ascended the trim levels to the Denali, the deliberate use of chrome became even more apparent. The Denali's front was almost entirely chrome, with a massive grille that resembled an industrial cheese grater, flanked by GMC's signature C-shaped headlights. The 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels, part of the optional Ultimate package, stood out against the dark Redwood Metallic paint. Inside, the Yukon offered a spacious cabin with standard seating for eight, or seven with the available second-row captain's chairs. The Denali trim featured exclusive interior designs, with our test vehicle showcasing the Teak/Light Shale colour combo, adding a premium touch with its contrasting colours and natural wood details.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV with a balanced and characterful design. At night, it greeted drivers with a Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence. Our test vehicle featured light grey premium leather upholstery, with other interior colours available. While the overall interior was decadent, some elements like the centre console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared less premium. The Nautilus Reserve, the sole model offered in Canada, had an 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 perfect for long drives.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered a choice of three engines, including a 5.3-litre V8 engine standard on all trims except the Denali, producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The Denali and AT4 trims featured a 6.2-litre V8 engine with 420 hp and 460 pound-feet of torque. A 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine, available on all trims except the AT4, delivered 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Yukon had a maximum towing capacity of 3,810 kilograms with the right configuration. The independent rear suspension improved handling and ride quality, although some bouncing was noted over rough surfaces. The optional air ride adaptive suspension enhanced the ride, especially on highways.

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 in Canada. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine offered 335 hp and 380 pound-feet of torque. The Nautilus featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behaviour, steering effort, and adaptive suspension. The SUV averaged 9.4 L/100 km over 1,400 kilometres, with a maximum range of 730 kilometres on the highway. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, offering a quiet and comfortable ride with a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The twin-turbo V6 provided impressive performance, especially in Sport mode, although the steering lacked engagement.

The 2022 GMC Yukon provided ample space for passengers and cargo, with a redesign increasing third-row legroom to 886 mm. Cargo space behind the third row expanded to 722 litres. The second-row seats folded flat, and power fold-and-tumble bucket seats were available for easy access to the third row. The power-folding third-row seats added convenience. The Denali trim featured a power-sliding centre console with hidden storage. Power-retractable, illuminated assist steps were part of the Denali Ultimate Package, aiding entry and exit. The pushbutton transmission controls required some acclimation but became intuitive over time.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated steering wheel. The optional 22-way power front seats provided exceptional comfort. Rear passengers had heated outboard seats and air conditioning vents, although legroom was tight. Practical storage 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 GMC Yukon featured a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information centre and a 15-inch multi-colour head-up display. The 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose 14-speaker audio system. The Denali Ultimate Package added a rear-seat media system with dual 12.6-inch LCD HD touchscreens.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. It offered over-the-air updates, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system was intuitive, with physical stereo and climate controls. Phone as a Key technology allowed smartphone use as a digital key.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with GMC's Pro Safety suite, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Pro Safety Plus added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Yukon received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five stars for side crash protection.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Black Label added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick by IIHS.