2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its utilitarian roots, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Once a rugged workhorse, it had become a high-end SUV with a starting price of $92,000, offering a plethora of powertrains and personalization options. The test model, priced at $106,715, featured the HSE Westminster special-edition trim, showcasing a timeless design with hallmark cues like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling. Inside, the Range Rover exuded luxury with its Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance, although its infotainment system, InControl Touch Pro Duo, was not as advanced as newer models.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in the Black Label trim, presented an attractive and characterful design. The Black Label model offered unique interior themes like Chalet and Flight, with our test vehicle featuring light gray premium leather upholstery. The Nautilus Black Label was equipped with nearly every available feature, including a simulated suede headliner and luxury floor mats. Starting at $44,225, the Nautilus offered a more affordable luxury experience, with the Black Label model priced at $66,825. The test vehicle, with its Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats, was perfect for long drives, providing a comfortable and cozy experience.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine in the HSE Westminster edition, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It featured a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, ensuring its legendary off-road capability. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, although the steering was slow and the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity led to some side-to-side wallow. The EPA rated the Range Rover at 20 mpg in combined driving, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label came with a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, paired with all-wheel drive. It offered Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with Normal mode providing the best balance. The Nautilus excelled on long road trips, offering a quiet and comfortable ride with a fuel economy of 25 mpg over 871.1 miles. The twin-turbo V6 and eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, and the SUV handled mountain roads with grace, although the steering lacked engagement. The Nautilus shared its engineering with the Ford Edge, hinting at its sporty potential.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access, but shorter passengers found entry challenging. The front seats were decadently comfortable, while the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for a small center-console bin. The cargo area offered 25 cubic feet of space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet, with a suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label boasted smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive. The optional 22-way power front seats provided exceptional comfort, while the rear seats, though heated, offered limited legroom. Storage space was adequate, with some hard-to-access areas. The cargo area, accessible via a hands-free power liftgate, provided 37.2 cubic feet of space, expandable to 68.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while not entirely intuitive, could be navigated with practice. The SUV included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for assistance. However, the system's complexity and distraction potential were notable drawbacks.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system was intuitive, with physical stereo and climate controls, and the natural voice recognition worked well. The Phone as a Key feature allowed smartphone-based access and ignition.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came with standard safety features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, with optional packages for advanced driver aids. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, but the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, including forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. The Black Label added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with effective driving assistance systems.