2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2020 Lexus GX

The 2020 Lexus GX, despite its age, continued to hold its own with a rugged charm. Introduced in 2002 and redesigned in 2010, the GX maintained its second-generation design with some modern tweaks. The updated model featured the bold hourglass grille, a signature of the Lexus lineup, which surprisingly suited the GX better than its larger sibling, the LX. While the exterior received some updates, the interior remained largely unchanged from a decade ago, with a chunky center console and large buttons that harkened back to early 2010s styling. This simplicity worked well for the GX, especially for those who appreciated its rugged capabilities over modern innovations.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus embraced a more contemporary design. Originally the Lincoln MKX, the Nautilus underwent a facelift in 2019, shedding its alphanumeric name for a more appealing style. The 2021 model retained its exterior design but introduced a refreshed cabin with clean lines, soft materials, and a large touchscreen. The interior was modern and luxurious, featuring Lincoln's "Piano Key" shifter-button layout, which, despite being unconventional, was user-friendly. The Nautilus's cabin updates aligned with Lincoln's design trends, offering a more refined and comfortable experience.

The 2020 Lexus GX was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque through a 6-speed automatic transmission to a standard 4-wheel drive system. While these figures might not impress compared to modern engines, the V8 provided a unique power experience, especially in real-world driving scenarios. The GX's steering, though initially light, proved to be direct and responsive, offering a smooth yet composed ride thanks to its self-leveling air suspension. The GX excelled in off-road conditions, with its 4WD system and various chassis controls making it a formidable vehicle for adventurous drivers. It could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a tight turning radius, making it surprisingly practical for city driving. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with an average of 16.3 mpg observed during testing.

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 a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6, generating 355 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6, standard on the Black Label, provided smooth and controlled power delivery, especially at highway speeds. The Nautilus's adaptive suspension offered a firm yet comfortable ride, handling corners with composure. The engine stop-start feature aimed to conserve fuel, though it introduced a slight delay in response. Overall, the Nautilus delivered a pleasant driving experience across various scenarios.

The 2020 Lexus GX offered second-row captain's chairs on the Premium and Luxury trims, with power-folding third-row seats standard on the Luxury trim. While the captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, getting adults into the third row was challenging. The GX's cargo space was limited, with 64.7 cubic feet available with all rear seats folded. The side-opening rear hatch was unique but not particularly advantageous, though the separately opening rear window was a convenient feature.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus provided up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space, surpassing competitors like the Lexus RX 350 and Cadillac XT5. With the rear seats in use, it offered 37.2 cubic feet of space. The Nautilus emphasized two-row comfort, with ample head- and legroom for rear passengers. The front seats, especially the available 22-way multi-contour units, offered exceptional comfort. The interior featured a large center console bin and deep in-door pockets for storage, with a floating center controls design allowing for additional storage space.

The 2020 Lexus GX's infotainment system showed its age, featuring a last-generation Lexus Enform setup. While it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the true touchscreen interface with large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls offered simplicity and ease of use, appealing to those who preferred straightforward technology.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus boasted 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 and no unnecessary screen partitioning. The available wireless charging pad enhanced the phone-car integration, and the Revel 19-speaker premium audio system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2020 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and an available surround-view camera. The GX's high driving position and large windows provided excellent visibility, enhancing safety.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus included the CoPilot360 package, offering 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 a surround-view parking monitor were available. However, the standard backup camera's low quality was a drawback, affecting visibility in low-light conditions.