2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a two-row version of the Pilot, sharing many design elements with its larger sibling. Its exterior and interior styling closely mirrored that of the Pilot, leading some to consider it a sportier variant. Inside, the Passport featured a spacious cabin with high-quality materials, though it shared the Pilot's somewhat awkward button shifter design. The trim levels ranged from Sport to Elite, each adding more features such as leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and advanced audio systems.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in the Black Label trim, was an attractive SUV with distinctive styling that added character without being overdone. The Black Label models offered unique interior themes like Chalet and Flight, featuring premium leather and luxury materials. The Nautilus was available in several trims, with the Black Label being the most luxurious, offering nearly every available feature, including a simulated suede headliner and luxury floor mats. The Nautilus was priced starting at $44,225, with the Black Label trim reaching $66,825.

The 2021 Honda Passport was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive, with the latter providing drive modes for various terrains. The Passport's ride was comfortable and refined, with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds for AWD models.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine producing 335 horsepower. The V6 was standard on the Black Label trim and required all-wheel drive. The Nautilus featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension adjusting accordingly. The V6 engine delivered a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg, and the Nautilus excelled as a comfortable road-tripper with a quiet cabin and advanced audio system.

The 2021 Honda Passport provided ample cargo space, with 100.8 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with them in use. It featured a power liftgate on higher trims and offered excellent visibility and a commanding driving position. The rear seats were spacious and adjustable, enhancing passenger comfort.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label offered a luxurious interior with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The optional 22-way power front seats provided exceptional comfort. However, the rear seating was somewhat cramped for a midsize SUV. The Nautilus offered 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 68.8 cubic feet with them folded. Practical storage was adequate, though some areas were hard to access.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. While these features were a welcome addition, the system's graphics and menu layout were dated and somewhat confusing.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software, offering over-the-air updates, wireless smartphone connectivity, 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 technology, allowing smartphones to function as digital keys.

The 2021 Honda Passport was equipped with advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it had some "Acceptable" ratings for specific areas.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. The Black Label trim added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with additional features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The Nautilus earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it had not been assessed by the IIHS.