2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar design that had been subtly updated for the new model year. It featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching across the taillights. New wheel designs were introduced for the top three trims, modernizing the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. The Odyssey was available in five trims: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. The Elite trim, priced at $48,940, included perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, giving it a more luxurious feel.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus, originally the second-generation Lincoln MKX, had undergone a facelift in 2019, adopting a more attractive design and a new name. For 2021, the exterior remained largely unchanged, but the cabin received significant updates. It featured a sharp new dash design with clean lines, soft materials, and a large, crisp touchscreen. The "Piano Key" shifter-button layout was easy to use, despite its unconventional nature. The standard 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen system was user-friendly and visually appealing. The Nautilus was available in Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, with the Black Label offering a twin-turbo V6 engine, AWD, and a host of premium features, including 21-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, and a 19-speaker premium stereo system.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, delivering 280 horsepower to the front wheels. This combination provided smooth and effortless power, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow. The Odyssey's fuel efficiency was rated at 22 mpg in combined driving, with an average of 21.8 mpg during testing. However, the lack of AWD put it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. The Odyssey featured a new electronic brake booster, enhancing the adaptive cruise control's low-speed following capability and improving brake pedal feel. While the Odyssey offered a pleasurable driving experience with well-managed ride and handling qualities, the brakes showed signs of fade during intense use, indicating a need for an upgrade.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The Reserve and Black Label trims offered a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The twin-turbo V6 provided impressive power, especially at highway speeds, with smooth and controlled acceleration. The adaptive suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections, while the Nautilus remained composed through corners. The engine stop-start feature conserved fuel, though it introduced a slight delay in response. Overall, the Nautilus offered a pleasant driving experience in various scenarios.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a well-designed interior with legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, standard in all but the base LX trim, provided comfort with inboard adjustable armrests. The Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet. However, removing the second-row seats to access maximum cargo volume was cumbersome.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus offered 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 provided 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space. The Nautilus prioritized two-row comfort, 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 interior featured a soft-touch center console and door handles, enhancing the overall comfort. The Nautilus also provided a large center console bin and deep in-door pockets for storage.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with the EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. The Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription services, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. The Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. Despite the extensive technology, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were notable drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system, available on Touring and Elite trims, included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps, though it lacked a touchscreen interface.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus featured 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 for easy navigation. The available wireless charging pad enhanced the phone-car integration. The Revel 19-speaker premium audio system delivered exceptional sound quality. The Nautilus's infotainment system was intuitive and easy to use, with no unnecessary complexities.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with the standard inclusion of Honda Sensing across all trims. This suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) included low-speed follow capability, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button for easy access to ADAS settings. The Odyssey's ADAS performed accurately, though the adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning systems could be smoother. The Odyssey maintained its impressive safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with top scores in most assessments.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came with the CoPilot360 package, offering a comprehensive list of driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, 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, and adaptive headlights were available. However, the standard backup camera's low quality was a notable drawback, affecting visibility in low-light conditions.