2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2020 Acura MDX

The 2020 Acura MDX was a sleek and stylish three-row SUV, though its design was not particularly groundbreaking. It blended in well without drawing much attention, but it also didn't disappoint in terms of aesthetics. The Jewel Eye LED headlights added a touch of sophistication to the front, with five LED elements per side arranged horizontally. The trapezoidal grille with a prominent Acura logo gave the MDX an expressive face. Inside, the MDX featured a modern and simple design, with a center stack that included twin infotainment screens and a high-quality fit and finish that made the vehicle feel solid and well-built.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus had a more updated and attractive design, especially after its facelift in 2019. The exterior carried over from the previous model year, but the cabin received a significant update with a new dash design featuring clean lines, soft materials, and a large touchscreen. The "Piano Key" shifter-button layout was unconventional but easy to use. The standard 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen system was user-friendly and visually appealing. The Nautilus also offered a range of trims, each with its own set of luxurious features, making it a standout in terms of interior design and comfort.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered two powertrain options. The base model came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It was available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The MDX Sport Hybrid featured a 3.0-liter V6 engine combined with three electric motors, delivering a total of 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The MDX demonstrated good straight-line performance and nimble handling, especially with the SH-AWD system, which used torque vectoring to improve cornering and stability.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The Reserve and Black Label trims offered an optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine was available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the twin-turbo V6 came standard with all-wheel drive. The V6 provided strong power, especially at highway speeds, and the adaptive suspension ensured a smooth and controlled ride. The engine stop-start feature aimed to conserve fuel, though it introduced a slight delay in response.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered practical interior space with sliding and reclining second-row seats, making it easier to access the third row. It provided 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded flat and 90.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The MDX featured various storage compartments, including a large glove box, a flexible center console, and door panel pockets. Tri-zone climate control allowed for separate temperature settings for the driver, front passenger, and rear passengers.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus provided up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 37.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in use. It featured a power liftgate, with an available hands-free option. The Nautilus focused on two-row comfort, with ample headroom and legroom for rear passengers. The front seats were particularly comfortable, especially with the available 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable units. The center console bin and deep in-door pockets offered additional storage space, and the floating center controls design allowed for storage behind the radio and climate controls.

The 2020 Acura MDX came with a range of standard technology features, including Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SMS/MMS text message and email capability, a CD/MP3 player, five USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added features like rain-sensing windshield wipers, LED puddle lights, parking sensors, navigation, GPS-linked climate control, remote engine start, and a premium audio system. The Advance Package included additional tech features such as a surround-view camera system, Head-Up Warning, and heated and ventilated front seats. The Entertainment Package offered a rear entertainment system with a large screen and wireless headphones.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-definition graphics and a user-friendly menu layout. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons for easy navigation. The available wireless charging pad added convenience, and the Revel 19-speaker premium audio system provided excellent sound quality. The infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, making it easy to use without any complicated controls or dual screens.

The 2020 Acura MDX came with the standard AcuraWatch suite, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Advance Package included Head-Up Warning. The MDX also featured a rearview camera, front airbags, side curtain airbags, stability control, Trailer Stability Assist, tire pressure monitoring, LATCH child-seat mounts, and a theft-deterrent system. The MDX received high safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came with the standard CoPilot360 package, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional available features included adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, a surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights. However, the standard backup camera was of low quality, making it difficult to see in low-light conditions.