Toyota Highlander vs Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was a visually appealing SUV, characterized by a balanced and stylish design that avoided being plain. Lincoln incorporated enough detailing to give the Nautilus a distinctive character. Upon approaching the SUV at night, a Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence welcomed drivers. The interior of the test vehicle featured light grey premium leather upholstery, with other colour options like sandstone, dark brown, and black available. Despite its luxurious aspects, the centre console design and some chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared somewhat cheap. The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve, the only model available in Canada, had a Manufacturer’s Retail Suggested Price (MSRP) of $59,800, excluding a $2,395 destination charge. The test vehicle was equipped with optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, priced at $1,900, which proved ideal for long drives.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander boasted a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design. Its flared fender arches and the upward kick of the third-row window gave the spacious Highlander a more compact appearance. Inside, the cabin offered ample space and clever storage solutions for items like iPads and juice boxes. The XSE test model featured a bold red leather interior, contrasting with a sedate navy blue exterior, and included unique exterior styling, ambient interior lighting, and a sport-tuned suspension. The Highlander was available in several trims in Canada, including LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum, each offering a range of features from standard all-wheel drive and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system to premium LED headlamps and a panoramic moonroof in higher trims.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It featured an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, was available for an additional $4,000. The Nautilus offered Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, which adjusted powertrain behaviour, steering effort, and adaptive suspension. The twin-turbo V6 had a fuel consumption rating of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a maximum highway range of 730 kilometres. Over a 1,400-kilometre journey, it averaged 9.4 L/100 km. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, offering a quiet and comfortable ride, enhanced by a 19-speaker Revel audio system.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with a tap-shift function and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Highlander offered Sport, Normal, and Eco driving modes, along with Mud/Sand, Rock, and Normal AWD modes. The V6 engine provided better pickup once the vehicle was moving, with a throaty exhaust note during acceleration. The Highlander’s handling was commendable, with the XSE trim’s sport-tuned suspension reducing body roll while maintaining comfort over bumps. The Highlander could tow up to 2,268 kilograms and had a max payload of 775 kilograms in the LE trim.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive due to Active Noise Control. Both front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The optional 22-way power front seats offered multiple massage programs and adjustable features for optimal comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed heated outboard seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. The Nautilus provided 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and a maximum of 1,948 litres with the back seat folded. Storage space was adequate, though some areas were hard to access.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander offered up to 2,387 litres of cargo space with the second- and third-row seats folded. With the second-row seats in use, there was 1,370 litres of cargo space, and 453 litres with all seats deployed. The Highlander featured deep cargo pockets in the front doors and various storage solutions throughout the cabin. The XSE model had second-row captain’s chairs, providing a centre aisle to the rear seats. While the second-row seats were spacious for adults, the third row was only suitable for short trips. The Highlander’s power liftgate was standard on trims above the base LE, with hands-free operation on Limited and Platinum trims.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Sync 4 software. Sync 4 offered over-the-air updates, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The test vehicle included a connected navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system featured an intuitive user interface, with separate physical stereo and climate controls. The Phone as a Key feature allowed smartphones to function as digital keys.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system had a straightforward layout with hard buttons for ease of use. The XSE model included a wireless charging pad and USB/USB-C ports. A larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system were available. The Highlander’s infotainment system was praised for its blend of screens and hard controls, offering a user-friendly experience.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite of driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Black Label trim added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with 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 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, offering forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and dynamic radar cruise control. All trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, and a surround-view monitor. The Highlander was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.