2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a unique blend of style, sitting comfortably between the sleek Evoque and the more traditional, boxy Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a distinctive profile, setting it apart from the upright stance of its siblings. The Velar maintained its SUV identity with a broad front end that commanded attention, while its short overhangs hinted at performance capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sporty touches, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar's high-quality leather and metal trim created a luxurious environment, with a cockpit-like feel that made drivers feel enveloped by the vehicle.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus evolved from its predecessor, the MKX, with a focus on attractive styling and a refined cabin. The exterior design carried over from previous years, but the interior saw significant updates. The new dash design featured clean lines and soft materials, complemented by a large, crisp touchscreen. The "Piano Key" shifter-button layout was a unique touch, offering ease of use. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen that provided a seamless experience. The Nautilus offered a range of trims, each with its own set of luxurious features, ensuring a comfortable and upscale driving experience.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a significant performance upgrade with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, featuring a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its impressive power, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, as competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offered quicker acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, but its size made it less agile on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's engine lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar also featured off-road capabilities with Land Rover's Terrain Response system, although it lacked a low range for more challenging terrains.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus offered two engine options: a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, and an optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 with 355 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The V6, standard on the Black Label trim, provided smooth and controlled power delivery, especially at highway speeds. The Nautilus featured an adaptive suspension that absorbed road imperfections, offering a comfortable ride while maintaining composure through corners. The engine stop-start feature aimed to conserve fuel, although it introduced a slight delay in response. Overall, the Nautilus delivered a pleasant driving experience across various scenarios.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than compact luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. Despite its size, the Velar did not offer more interior space than its smaller competitors. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet available with the rear seats in place and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling, while visually appealing, limited headroom and visibility, creating a somewhat claustrophobic interior. The cockpit-like front seating area added to the cramped feeling, although the tall center console was easily accessible. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus excelled in interior space, offering up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, surpassing competitors like the Lexus RX 350 and Cadillac XT5. With the rear seats in use, the Nautilus provided 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space. The emphasis on two-row comfort was evident, with ample head- and legroom for rear passengers. The front seats, especially the available 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable units, offered optimal comfort. The Nautilus featured a spacious center console bin and deep in-door pockets for storage, enhancing its practicality for everyday use.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens handling various functions. The upper screen managed smartphone, navigation, and media functions, while the lower screen controlled vehicle settings and climate. The system offered high-quality graphics but suffered from slow response times. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, although they were prone to sunlight reflection.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-definition graphics and a user-friendly menu layout. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons for easy navigation. The available wireless charging pad enhanced the integration between phone and car. The Nautilus also featured a Revel 19-speaker premium audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality for an immersive listening experience.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not prioritized for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. However, Land Rover's offerings were less sophisticated compared to competitors, with only lane-keep assist available instead of more advanced lane-centering systems.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with the CoPilot360 package, offering a comprehensive list of driver-assistance features. Standard features 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 features like adaptive cruise control and surround-view parking monitor were available. Despite the extensive tech, the standard backup camera was of low quality, making it difficult to see in low-light conditions.