2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave represented a significant step in Buick's journey to reclaim its former glory. After a period of decline, Buick found its footing by offering globally-sourced and rebadged GM vehicles. The Enclave, however, stood out as a distinctly American-made SUV that harkened back to Buick's illustrious past. As the largest SUV in Buick's lineup, the Enclave offered a commanding presence with its impressive design, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir continued the upscale theme with a minimalist approach to instrumentation, soft leather upholstery, and polished accents, although the wood trim was not genuine. Despite a somewhat fussy electronic transmission shifter, the Enclave's interior was marked by simplicity and elegance.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, particularly in the Black Label trim, exuded a sophisticated charm with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels and detailed styling. The Nautilus greeted drivers with a Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence, and the Black Label models offered exclusive interior design themes like Chalet and Flight, featuring premium leather upholstery. The Black Label trim included nearly every available feature, creating a luxurious environment, although some chrome-plated plastic pieces detracted from the overall impression. The Nautilus was priced starting at $44,225, with the Black Label model reaching $66,825. The interior was designed for comfort, with Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats and a massaging function, making it ideal for long drives.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The Enclave's V6 engine provided strong acceleration, and its low torque peak contributed to a smooth driving experience. The SUV's suspension, especially with the Avenir Technology Package, delivered a premium ride quality, handling various road conditions with ease. The Enclave's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg in combined driving, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine producing 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, available on the Black Label trim. The Nautilus featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered AWD as an option. The SUV's driving modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—adjusted powertrain behavior and suspension settings. The Nautilus excelled in long-distance comfort, with a fuel economy rating of 21 mpg in combined driving and a range of up to 450 miles. The twin-turbo V6 provided impressive performance, especially in Sport mode, although the steering lacked engagement.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious accommodations for six or seven passengers. Its cabin was designed for comfort and quietness, featuring Active Noise Cancellation and laminated glass. The Avenir trim included 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's third-row seat was notably roomy, and the SUV provided ample cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 97.6 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label offered a luxurious interior with high-quality materials and ambient lighting. The front seats were heated, ventilated, and highly adjustable, providing exceptional comfort. However, the rear seating area was somewhat cramped for a midsize SUV, with limited legroom. The Nautilus featured practical storage solutions, although some areas were difficult to access. The cargo space was generous, with 37.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and up to 68.8 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, it lacked advanced features like larger screens, smart home integration, and high-end audio components. The Avenir trim's 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to competitors. The Enclave did offer a rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of the rear.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software, offering over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system was intuitive and user-friendly, with physical controls for stereo and climate settings. The Nautilus also offered Phone as a Key, allowing drivers to use their smartphone as a digital key.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trim levels, with essential systems like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available only on the Essence trim and above. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but had a four-star frontal-impact rating.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Black Label trim added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and a semi-autonomous parking assist system. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance.