2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. Retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several updates over the years. The GX adopted Lexus’ signature spindle grille in 2014, which was further refined in 2020 with a new textured insert and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t see any major styling changes, but it did come with standard silver 18-inch wheels on the Premium trim level, with 19-inch wheels as an option. Despite not being originally designed around the spindle grille, the GX’s styling remained coherent and distinctive, appealing to SUV shoppers with its tough, aggressive look. However, the interior did not meet modern luxury SUV standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus, previously known as the second-generation Lincoln MKX, underwent a significant transformation in 2019 when it was renamed and restyled. The 2021 model retained its attractive exterior but featured a completely updated cabin. The new dash design followed Lincoln’s clean and soft material trends, with a large, crisp touchscreen and the “Piano Key” shifter-button layout. The 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen system was user-friendly and visually appealing, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Nautilus offered three trims: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label, each with increasing levels of luxury and technology. The Black Label trim, in particular, came with a twin-turbo V6, standard AWD, and a host of premium features, including 22-way Multi-Contour front seats and a 19-speaker premium stereo system.

The 2021 Lexus GX kept it simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460’s performance was reminiscent of older SUVs, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, its 5,130-pound weight made higher-speed maneuvers and stopping more challenging. The body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. Despite these drawbacks, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, standard 4WD with a low range, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added even more rugged features, making the GX a formidable off-road vehicle. It also had a respectable towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus offered two engine options: a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, and an optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 with 355 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine came with standard FWD or optional AWD, while the V6 was AWD only. The twin-turbo V6 provided smooth and controlled power delivery, especially at highway speeds, complemented by the adaptive suspension that nearly eliminated road bumps. The Nautilus also featured an engine stop-start system to conserve fuel, though it had a slight delay in response. Overall, the Nautilus offered a pleasant driving experience in various scenarios, with a firm and planted feel through corners.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console that limited legroom. The steering wheel’s odd angle and tall seating position made it feel like driving a bus. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console bins, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating for seven, but the third row was best suited for children and difficult to access. Cargo space was also limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, and virtually no space with the third row up.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus offered up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space, more than the Lexus RX 350 and Cadillac XT5. With the rear seats in use, it provided 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available. The Nautilus emphasized two-row comfort, with plenty of head- and legroom in the rear seats and optimal comfort in the front seats, especially with the available 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable units. The center console bin was reasonably large, and the in-door pockets were deep enough for large water bottles. The floating center controls design also allowed for additional storage below the radio and climate controls.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. It had two USB ports for each of the first two rows, but none for the third row. The available 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was a highlight. The standard infotainment system was outdated, with graphics reminiscent of the 1990s and limited functionality. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus featured a large 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-definition graphics and a sensible menu layout. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons and no unnecessary repackaging of CarPlay. The available wireless charging pad made phone integration seamless. The Revel 19-speaker premium audio system provided excellent sound quality for both music and talk radio.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

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