2020 Acura RDX vs 2019 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus was essentially an MKX with a refreshed exterior. This wasn't a drawback, as the MKX, redesigned in 2016, was already a stylish and well-defined SUV. The Nautilus stood out among its competitors with its sleek proportions, including a swept roofline, arching rear shoulder line, and slim tailgate. The Black Label trim added elegance with 22-inch wheels and a wide, thin taillight. The new grille and bi-LED headlights were significant updates, while the Nautilus badges on the front fenders were subtle indicators of the model's new name. Inside, the Black Label trim featured luxurious materials like soft leather from a Scottish tannery, matte wood, and metal trim, making the interior feel upscale despite some plasticky elements in the center stack.

The 2020 Acura RDX retained its attractive design from the previous year, featuring a beamy grille and rakish headlights. The large logo within the grille was a notable, albeit comical, element. The RDX's sharp styling extended to the cabin, where red leather upholstery created a striking red-and-black interior. Standard features included synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power moonroof, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen. The RDX offered three packages: Technology, A-Spec, and Advance, each adding various upgrades. The A-Spec package, for instance, included unique 20-inch wheels, ventilated front seats, and a panoramic moonroof, while the Advance package added features like rain-sensing wipers and heated rear seats.

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus introduced a new turbocharged 4-cylinder base engine, replacing the previous 3.7-liter V6. This 2.0-liter turbo four produced 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. However, the recommended engine was the optional twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6, delivering 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, the Nautilus accelerated smoothly and quietly. The transmission performed well, with responsive paddle shifters and rev-matching downshifts. Front-wheel drive was standard, while all-wheel drive was optional. The steering was light yet connected, and the adaptive dampers provided a comfortable ride even on 22-inch wheels. The Nautilus achieved an EPA rating of 19-21 mpg city, 25-27 highway, and 21-23 combined.

The 2020 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided strong acceleration and a pleasing engine note. Power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, available with front-wheel drive or Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). The RDX offered multiple drive modes, including Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus, which adjusted throttle response, shift patterns, and steering feel. The RDX's fuel economy was EPA-rated at 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined. Despite the stop-start system, the observed fuel economy was 22.2 mpg. The RDX excelled in both acceleration and handling, offering a comfortable yet sporty driving experience.

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus featured a simple and user-friendly interior, with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a central infotainment screen. The vertical PRNDS gear selector was the only confusing element. The Nautilus offered generous space, with reclining rear seats and a cargo capacity of 68.8 cubic feet with the seats down and 37.2 cubic feet with them up. The power tailgate with gesture control was reliable, and visibility was adequate, aided by a rear backup camera with a built-in washer. The interior had ample storage, including large consoles and USB ports.

The 2020 Acura RDX pushed the boundaries of a compact SUV, offering a spacious cabin with comfortable and supportive front seats. The second row also provided good headroom and decent legroom. The front row had ample storage, including large water bottle holders and a pass-through cargo tray with a USB port. The second row featured a fold-down center console with cup holders. The RDX offered 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The cargo area was easily accessible, with a helpful cubby and a hidden storage area under the load floor.

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus shared its Sync 3 infotainment system with Ford, featuring a user-friendly interface with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa support. The system was fast and responsive, with a built-in Wi-Fi network and remote functions via a companion app. The digital instrument cluster offered customization options, though it wasn't as flexible as some competitors. The optional 19-speaker Revel Ultima stereo and configurable LED mood lighting added to the luxury feel. The $1,500 front seats with 22-way adjustments and massage functions provided exceptional comfort. The Driver Assistance package included semi-automated driving features for added convenience.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a major drawback, operated via a touchpad that lacked intuitive functionality. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but the touchpad interface made them cumbersome to use. Standard tech features included Bluetooth, two USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 9-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added navigation, real-time traffic updates, and the ELS premium audio system. The A-Spec model featured the ELS Studio 3D premium sound system with 16 speakers. The Advance Package included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but the mechanically identical 2018 MKX received 5 stars from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS. Standard safety features included forward-collision alert, automatic braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

The 2020 Acura RDX came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, LATCH child-seat mounting systems, a tire pressure monitoring system, hill-start assist, and a rear-view camera. It also included driver-assistance features like lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, road-departure mitigation, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The Technology Package added parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic monitoring. The Advance Package included a head-up display, a 360-degree camera, and a rear-view camera washer. The 2019 RDX received a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS.