2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 showcased BMW's signature high-quality craftsmanship. As part of BMW's true SUV range, the X5 was unmistakably a BMW, from its kidney grille to its body shape. This consistency in design meant that while the X5 was instantly recognizable, it could also blend in with other BMWs in a crowded parking lot. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights, matte aluminum grilles on standard xLine models, and a sporty appearance on M Sport models with body-color matched trim and high-gloss black accents. The interior, though filled with familiar BMW parts, was well-crafted with leather and soft-touch materials, despite an abundance of dust-collecting black plastic. M Sport models added unique styling elements like an M sports steering wheel and exclusive interior trim strips.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus, previously known as the second-generation Lincoln MKX, underwent a significant transformation in 2019, adopting a more attractive design and a new name. For 2021, the exterior remained largely unchanged, but the cabin received a major update with a sharp new dash design, clean lines, soft materials, and a large, crisp 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, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Nautilus offered trims like Standard, Reserve, and Black Label, each adding progressively more luxurious features, from genuine leather upholstery to a 19-speaker premium stereo system and advanced driver-assistance features.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i came with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M boasted 600 hp, increasing to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The X5's driving dynamics were mixed, with a smooth transition between power modes but less engaging handling compared to other BMW SUVs. The X5 xDrive45e's battery weight did not affect ride quality, and charging was convenient with a five-hour charge time on a Level 2 charger. Fuel efficiency varied, with the X5 M being the least efficient at 15 mpg combined, while the xDrive45e achieved 50 MPGe when using both electricity and gas.

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 with 355 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine had standard front-wheel drive, with available all-wheel drive, while the V6 came with standard AWD. The V6 provided strong power, especially at highway speeds, with smooth and controlled acceleration. The adaptive suspension effectively absorbed road bumps, and the Nautilus felt firm and planted through corners. The engine stop-start feature had a slight delay, but overall, the driving experience was pleasant in various scenarios.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders positioned out of the way and a wireless phone charging pad. The seating was comfortable for short trips, though the front seats felt hard after extended periods. The rear seats were spacious enough for two adults, and an optional third row was available. The climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with full power functionality made loading cargo convenient. The X5 xDrive45e offered slightly less cargo space than the traditional X5, but the difference was minimal. However, the rear doors did not open very wide, making it challenging to move children and cargo in and out.

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 cargo space. A power liftgate was standard, with an available hands-free option. The Nautilus emphasized two-row comfort, with ample head- and legroom in the rear seats, making them suitable for adults on long trips. The front seats, especially the 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable units, were the most comfortable. The center console and door handles featured soft-touch materials, enhancing comfort. The Nautilus also had a large center console bin and deep in-door pockets for storage.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional features included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2021 Lincoln 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 the phone-car relationship. The Revel 19-speaker premium audio system provided excellent sound quality for music and talk radio. The infotainment system was straightforward, with a helpful home button to navigate back to the main screen if needed.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, particularly in bright sunlight and light rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being the subject of seven recalls.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus included the CoPilot360 package with standard automatic emergency braking, 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 had low quality, making it difficult to see in low-light conditions.