2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, a familiar face in the compact crossover segment since its fifth generation debut in 2017, showcased a design that was both fun and familiar. Honda's designers opted for soft, curvy lines that gave the CR-V a car-like appearance, closely resembling Honda's sedan lineup. This design approach made the CR-V look more like a station wagon than an SUV, setting a standard for modern family transportation. However, the interior told a different story. The CR-V's cabin was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims clashing with low-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were still upgrades of a commodity car rather than true premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus, which evolved from the second-generation Lincoln MKX, embraced a more attractive styling after its 2019 facelift. The 2021 model retained its exterior design but featured a significantly updated cabin. The new dash design followed Lincoln's attractive trends, with clean lines, soft materials, and a large, crisp touchscreen. The "Piano Key" shifter-button layout, though unconventional, was easy to use. The standard 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen system was user-friendly and visually appealing, making the Nautilus's interior a blend of luxury and practicality.

For the 2020 model year, the Honda CR-V simplified its lineup by replacing the previous base engine with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), provided a well-matched powertrain for the CR-V. Despite some CVTs' reputation for sluggish response, Honda's engineers managed to make this one feel quick, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's car-like demeanor extended to its road manners, offering excellent handling and a firm yet comfortable ride. Its low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its nimble handling and impressive fuel economy, with FWD models rated at 30 mpg combined and AWD models at 29 mpg.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The Reserve and Black Label trims offered an optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6, producing 355 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The twin-turbo V6, standard on the Black Label, provided smooth and controlled acceleration, complemented by an adaptive suspension that nearly eliminated road bumps. The Nautilus's engine stop-start feature aimed to conserve fuel, though it introduced a slight delay in response. Overall, the Nautilus offered a pleasant driving experience in various scenarios.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and clever storage solutions. Its cabin was roomy, with good head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The CR-V's excellent seating position and low cowl provided great front visibility. The cargo compartment offered 75.8 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded, thanks to a smart two-position load floor. The center console featured a deep well with a sliding cover, inspired by Honda's Odyssey minivan, and the door pockets were spacious, making the CR-V practical for everyday use.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus provided up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space, more than the Lexus RX 350 and Cadillac XT5. With the rear seats in use, it offered 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space. The Nautilus emphasized two-row comfort, with plenty of head- and legroom for rear passengers and optimal front seats, especially the available 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable units. The center console bin and deep in-door pockets provided ample storage, and the floating center controls design allowed for additional storage below the radio and climate controls.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age. The base LX trim featured a 5-inch screen with limited features, while higher trims had a 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration felt tacked on. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports in the EX trim and above, with two in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger for 2020.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-definition graphics and a sensible menu layout. The wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration worked seamlessly on the large screen, and the available wireless charging pad made phone-car interaction easy. The Revel 19-speaker premium audio system provided excellent sound quality, enhancing the overall tech experience in the Nautilus.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the "Honda Sensing" system, including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with the caveat that only the Touring trim had LED headlights.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus featured the CoPilot360 package, including 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, surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights. However, the standard backup camera's low quality was a drawback, making it difficult to see in low-light conditions.