2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its utilitarian roots, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Initially designed as a rugged, purpose-built vehicle, it had become a status symbol, offering a range of upscale features such as heated, ventilated, and massaging seats wrapped in premium leather. The Range Rover's design, despite nearing a decade in age, remained timeless with its hallmark blacked-out windshield and roof pillars, large nameplate lettering, and clean styling. Inside, the cabin exuded luxury with its high-contrast design and mid-century modern ambiance, although the infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus had undergone a transformation from its earlier iteration as the Lincoln MKX, adopting a more attractive design and a new name. The exterior styling carried over from previous years, but the interior received a significant update with a new dash design, soft materials, and a large touchscreen. The Nautilus featured Lincoln's "Piano Key" shifter-button layout, which was easy to use despite its unconventional nature. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a large 13.2-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Nautilus offered a range of trims, each with its own set of features, culminating in the luxurious Black Label trim with a twin-turbo V6 engine and a comprehensive list of driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrain options, including a turbodiesel V6, a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, and hybrid choices. The HSE Westminster special edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel-drive system, ensuring the Range Rover's off-road capabilities. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, although the vehicle's weight and tall center of gravity resulted in some side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The Range Rover's fuel economy was rated at 20 mpg combined, with our test vehicle achieving 18.5 mpg.

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 engine, generating 355 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the V6 featuring standard all-wheel drive. The Nautilus provided a smooth and controlled driving experience, with the adaptive suspension effectively absorbing road imperfections. The engine stop-start feature aimed to conserve fuel, although it introduced a slight delay in acceleration.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit, although shorter passengers still found it challenging to access the vehicle. The front seats were comfortable and wrapped in quality leather, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for the small center-console bin. The Range Rover offered 25 cubic feet of luggage space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

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. The Nautilus emphasized two-row comfort, with ample head- and legroom in the rear seats. The front seats were particularly comfortable, with available 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable units. The Nautilus also featured a large center console bin and deep in-door pockets for storage.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's technology suite included fully digital instrumentation and infotainment systems, with three displays offering numerous features and functions. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while not entirely intuitive, could be navigated with some practice. The Range Rover also featured a head-up display, although it was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The waterproof Activity Key wristband and iGuide smartphone app were notable technology highlights.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-definition graphics and a sensible menu layout. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons for easy navigation. The Nautilus also offered a wireless charging pad and a Revel 19-speaker premium audio system, providing excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came equipped with standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, although the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus featured the CoPilot360 package, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional driver-assistance features were available, such as adaptive cruise control and a surround-view parking monitor. However, the standard backup camera was of low quality, making it difficult to see in low-light conditions.