2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2020 Lexus RX

Lexus refreshed the RX for the 2020 model year, giving it significant upgrades inside and out. The exterior featured standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and L-shaped taillights, with optional triple-beam LED headlights. The grille was redesigned to resemble other Lexus cars, and new paint colors like Moonbeam Beige Metallic and Nori Green Pearl were introduced. The rear received a new shape with dual exhaust, a rear diffuser, and updated reflectors, along with an available hands-free tailgate. Inside, the cabin remained well-appointed with various interior colors and material combinations, including wood and satin-brushed aluminum trim. The F Sport appearance package added unique features like a special steering wheel, shift knob, aluminum pedals, and 20-inch wheels, among others. Despite its dated center stack, the RX's interior was functional and durable, suitable for family life.

The path to the 2021 Nautilus began with the second-generation Lincoln MKX, which was based on the Ford Edge platform. In 2019, it was facelifted and renamed the Nautilus, moving away from the alphanumeric naming convention and embracing more attractive styling. For 2021, the exterior carried over, but the cabin was updated with a sharp new dash design featuring clean lines, soft materials, and a large, crisp touchscreen. The "Piano Key" shifter-button layout was easy to use, though the stop-start button took some getting used to. The standard 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen system was user-friendly and similar to Ford’s SYNC 3, with almost no learning curve. The screen's glossiness could be mitigated by keeping sunglasses handy. Trims included Standard, Reserve, and Black Label, each offering various features and upgrades, with the Black Label providing the most comprehensive list of driver assistance features and luxury amenities.

All 2020 Lexus RX 350 models were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, achieving 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque on premium 91 octane fuel. The three-row RX 350L models had slightly reduced power at 290 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with an electric motor for 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, while the RX 450hL had a combined output of 259 horsepower from the gasoline engine and 165 horsepower from an electric motor. The RX's performance was smooth, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.9 seconds for most models. Fuel economy varied, with the RX 350 achieving 23 mpg combined, the RX 350L and RX 350 AWD at 22 mpg, and the RX 350L AWD at 21 mpg. The RX 450h AWD excelled with 30 mpg combined, and the RX 450hL at 29 mpg. The F Sport models offered adaptive variable suspension and other performance enhancements, providing a connected and quiet drive experience.

The 2021 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 with 355 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. Both engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the four-cylinder available in FWD or AWD, and the V6 standard with AWD. The V6 provided smooth and controlled power delivery, especially at highway speeds, complemented by an adaptive suspension that minimized road bumps. The engine stop-start feature had a slight delay, but overall, the Nautilus offered a pleasant driving experience in various scenarios.

The 2020 Lexus RX interior was functional but not as stylish as its German competitors. The two-row RX comfortably seated four adults, while the three-row RX-L's third row was best for small children or pets. The cabin was spacious in the two-row configuration, with comfortable front seats and decent visibility, though the A-pillar could impede the driver's view. The cargo area was smaller than rivals, with a high load floor compromising space. The RX 350L and 450hL had even less cargo space compared to competitors like the Lincoln Aviator. A hands-free liftgate was available on RX 350 and 450h models and standard on RX-L versions.

The 2021 Nautilus offered 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 provided 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available. The Nautilus emphasized two-row comfort, with ample head- and legroom for rear-seat passengers and optimal front seats, especially with the 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable units. The center console and door handles were soft-touch, enhancing comfort. The Nautilus also 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 RX's infotainment system was often criticized, but improvements were made for the 2020 model. The standard 8.0-inch display and available 12.3-inch touchscreen were moved closer to the driver. Despite this, the system remained difficult to navigate, but Apple CarPlay integration helped mitigate issues. The RX also offered Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, Google Assistant, and other app compatibilities. The touchpad system was more responsive, and two additional USB ports were added, bringing the total to six. The standard 12-speaker audio system was adequate, with a 15-speaker Mark Levinson system available.

The 2021 Nautilus featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-definition graphics and a sensible menu layout. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were well-integrated, with large icons and no unnecessary repackaging. The available wireless charging pad enhanced convenience. The Revel 19-speaker premium audio system provided excellent sound quality. The system was user-friendly, with a helpful home button for easy navigation.

The 2020 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. New for 2020 were daytime bicyclist detection, low-light pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, and lane-tracing assist. The RX also included a three-year subscription to Lexus Enform Safety Connect and a 10-year subscription to Enform Service Connect. The RX received good safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though not as high as newer models.

The 2021 Nautilus included the CoPilot360 package with automatic emergency braking, 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, front parking sensors, surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights were available. However, the standard backup camera was low-quality, making it difficult to see in low-light conditions.