2019 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus was essentially an MKX with a refreshed exterior, yet it retained its appeal. The SUV's design was more attractive than many of its competitors, featuring a sleek roofline, a distinctive rear shoulder line, and a slim tailgate. The Black Label trim added elegance with its 22-inch wheels and a wide, thin taillight. The new grille and bi-LED headlights were notable updates, while the interior boasted luxurious materials like soft leather from a renowned Scottish tannery, matte wood, and metal trim. Despite a plasticky center stack, the Black Label trim offered a plush and sophisticated cabin experience.

In contrast, the 2020 Jeep Compass was a handsome SUV, reflecting the refined side of the Jeep brand. It came in four core trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with various packages and special editions available. The Compass Limited with AWD, equipped with numerous options, reached a price of $39,755. While the Compass offered appealing upgrades and soft-touch surfaces, it was marred by cost-cutting measures like low-rent glossy plastic and flimsy parts. However, it was a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering a more refined appearance and better features.

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus featured a new turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder base engine, producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. However, the recommended choice 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 provided smooth acceleration and responsive paddle shifters. The steering was light yet connected, and the adaptive dampers offered a comfortable ride. Despite its size, the Nautilus managed an EPA rating of 19 to 21 mpg city and 25 to 27 mpg highway.

The 2020 Jeep Compass, powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine known as the Tigershark, produced 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Unfortunately, it was loud, slow, and thirsty, with sluggish acceleration and an average fuel economy of 23.1 mpg, below the EPA rating of 25 mpg combined. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly, and the suspension allowed too much vertical motion. However, the Compass excelled off-road, especially in Trailhawk trim, with features like an Active Drive Low AWD system and a Rock driving mode.

Inside the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus, simplicity reigned with an all-digital 12.3-inch 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. The power tailgate with gesture control was reliable, and visibility was sufficient. The cabin featured ample storage, including big consoles and USB ports.

The 2020 Jeep Compass, equipped with the Luxury Seat Group, offered premium leather, ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. The back seat was roomy, with air conditioning vents, a USB port, and a power outlet for rear passengers. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, storage inside the cabin was limited, and the cupholders were awkwardly positioned.

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus shared its Sync 3 infotainment system with Ford, offering a user-friendly experience with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa support. The digital instrument cluster allowed for some customization, and the 19-speaker Revel Ultima stereo provided excellent sound quality. Optional front seats with 11 air cushions and 22-way adjustments added to the comfort, while the Driver Assistance package offered semi-automated driving functions.

The 2020 Jeep Compass featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G LTE WiFi connectivity. The system was intuitive, though some features were buried in menus. Voice recognition worked well, and primary controls were separated from the display. The Alpine premium audio system delivered decent sound quality, and Uconnect impressed overall.

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but the mechanically identical 2018 MKX received high ratings. 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 Jeep Compass offered optional safety features in the Safety and Security Group and the Advanced Safety Group. These included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Compass received Good ratings from IIHS, except for headlight performance, while NHTSA gave it mixed ratings.