2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey had a familiar look that was 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 new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching the width of the taillights. New wheel designs debuted for the top three trim levels, modernizing the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. Buyers could choose from five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, was priced at $48,940, including the $1,120 destination charge. The Elite trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome new 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, giving it a more luxurious feel.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in the Black Label trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels, was an attractive SUV with balanced styling and plenty of character. The Black Label model featured a Chalet or new-for-2022 Flight design theme, with our test vehicle showcasing the Chalet design with light gray premium leather upholstery. The Black Label trim included nearly every available feature, such as a simulated suede headliner and luxury floor mats, creating a decadent interior. However, some chrome-plated plastic pieces and the center console design looked a bit cheap. The Nautilus had a Manufacturer’s Retail Suggested Price (MSRP) of $44,225, including the $1,195 destination charge, with the Black Label starting at $66,825. Our test vehicle, equipped with Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, was priced at $68,325, making it perfect for long drives.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, along with paddle shifters. The V6 engine featured variable cylinder management for fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving, and an average of 21.8 mpg during testing. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive (AWD), putting it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. However, it had a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Odyssey offered a pleasurable driving experience with well-weighted steering, a firm but comfortable ride, and expertly managed body motions. However, the brakes struggled under heavy use, especially during a heatwave, indicating a need for a braking component upgrade.

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 with 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, available on the Black Label and as an option on the Reserve. The Black Label required AWD and featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behavior, steering effort, and adaptive suspension. The V6 engine had an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving, with an average of 25 mpg during testing. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, offering a quiet, comfortable ride with a 19-speaker Revel audio system. It performed well on mountain roads in Sport mode, with impressive grip from the 21-inch wheels, though the steering lacked engagement. The Nautilus shared its engineering with the Ford Edge, hinting at a spirited driving experience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, standard in all but the base LX trim, was comfortable with inboard adjustable armrests. The Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space measured 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row tumbled, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label featured smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive with Active Noise Control. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments and massage programs. The rear seats were heated, but legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Storage space was adequate, though some areas were hard to access. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 68.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded down.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and HondaLink connectivity. Touring trim added navigation, WiFi capability, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. HondaLink offered various subscription plans for security, remote operation, and concierge services. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps, though it was not a touchscreen.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. Sync 4 offered over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The Black Label included connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system had an intuitive interface, physical stereo and climate controls, and effective voice recognition. Phone as a Key technology allowed the smartphone to function as a digital key.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), as standard on all trims. It included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning was available from EX trim onwards. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was expected to maintain its Top Safety Pick recommendation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Black Label added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors. The Nautilus earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not assessed the Nautilus for safety.