Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile reminiscent of the smaller 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille, featuring laser-etched knurling in the grille slots. The vehicle's interior mirrored the Wagoneer’s design but boasted higher-quality materials and more convenience features, such as 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, and lumbar support, along with Nappa leather upholstery and optional Palermo leather.

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 variety of interior colour options, including light grey premium leather. The interior was decadent, though some chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared less premium. The Nautilus Reserve model, priced at $59,800 CAD, offered optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, which proved ideal for long drives. Despite some design drawbacks, the Nautilus provided a comfortable and inviting cabin experience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, enabled the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds, impressive for its 2,900-kilogram weight. The vehicle featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, the Grand Wagoneer was capable of fording up to 60 centimetres of water. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace due to its bouncy ride and imprecise steering at higher speeds.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive in Canada. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine offered 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. The Nautilus featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension adjusting accordingly. The twin-turbo V6 achieved a fuel consumption rating of 11.2 L/100 km in combined driving. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, offering a quiet and comfortable ride, though its steering lacked engagement. Despite this, the Nautilus demonstrated unexpected agility on mountain roads, with the V6 engine providing impressive performance.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer accommodated seven passengers with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It offered more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. However, front-row space was more limited. The Grand Wagoneer provided 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. Its maximum towing capacity was 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to the Grand Wagoneer’s additional weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive. Front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments and massage programs. Rear passengers enjoyed heated outboard seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. The Nautilus offered 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,948 litres with the back seat folded. Practical storage was adequate, though some areas were difficult to access. A hands-free power liftgate provided easy access to the luggage compartment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer boasted a comprehensive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, with an optional rear-seat entertainment system. The Uconnect 5 system, featuring an Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates, powered the infotainment. While the system offered extensive functionality, the screen response was occasionally slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured 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 smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The user interface was intuitive, with physical stereo and climate controls. The Nautilus also offered Phone as a Key technology, allowing smartphones to unlock and start the vehicle, providing convenience for drivers.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. Standard safety features included a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included intersection collision assist, driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, with a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped 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 trim added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, featuring 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. The driving assistance systems proved effective during testing, enhancing safety without causing driver irritation.