2021 Lexus RX vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased a modern design aesthetic with its large grille, angular headlamps, shapely body, and floating roof. Inside, it featured sumptuous seating with perforated leather upholstery, though the center console design was considered bland. Lexus offered the RX in five variants: RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid. The RX F Sport was the most performance-focused, while the RXL and RXL Hybrid had extended bodies and a third row of seating. The exterior included standard 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lights, and rear privacy glass, with available upgrades like 20-inch wheels and triple-beam LED headlights. The interior boasted standard features like NuLuxe-trimmed seats and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, with available options including semi-aniline leather upholstery and heated second-row seats.

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. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence greeted drivers, and the Black Label model offered Chalet or Flight design themes. The Chalet design featured light gray premium leather upholstery, while Flight had a classy Luggage Tan color. The Black Label trim included nearly every available feature, such as a simulated suede headliner and luxury floor mats, though the center console design and some chrome-plated plastic pieces looked a bit cheap. The Nautilus had a starting MSRP of $44,225, 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.

The 2021 Lexus RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The front-wheel-drive RX 350 was the most fuel-efficient, earning 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. The RX Hybrid and RXL Hybrid models, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 and three electric motors, offered 308 hp and managed 29-31 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The RX had a comfortable ride, with the F Sport Handling package adding adaptive variable suspension and other performance features. The RX could reach 124 mph and accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 7.7-7.9 seconds, depending on the drivetrain.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, with front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. The Black Label trim included a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, requiring all-wheel drive. The Nautilus had Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension adjusting accordingly. The twin-turbo V6 had an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg combined, with a maximum range of 450 miles. During a road trip, the Nautilus averaged 25 mpg. The SUV was quiet and comfortable, with the 19-speaker Revel audio system providing excellent sound quality. The Nautilus handled well in Sport mode, though the steering was not engaging.

The 2021 Lexus RX was a functional SUV with seating for five in the two-row RX 350, RX F-Sport, and RX 450h, and seating for six or seven in the three-row RXL and RXL Hybrid. Front-seat occupants had plenty of space, and the second row was comfortable for adults, though the third row was tight. The RX had 18.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row version offered 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second, and 58.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free liftgate available.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label featured smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive. Both front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The optional 22-way power front seats with massage programs were exceptionally comfortable. Rear passengers had heated outboard seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight. Practical storage space was adequate, with a hands-free power liftgate revealing 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 68.8 cubic feet with the seat folded.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD Radio, a WiFi hot spot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, additional USB ports, a moonroof, wireless charging, navigation, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The infotainment system had a touchpad controller, though it was not as refined as some competitors. The RX did not offer wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

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 connected services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The Black Label trim included connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel premium audio system. The system had an intuitive user interface, physical stereo and climate controls, and a natural voice recognition system. The Nautilus also offered Phone as a Key, turning a smartphone into a digital key.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, scoring Good marks on crashworthiness tests. The NHTSA rated the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h with four out of five stars overall and five stars for side-impact crashworthiness. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, blind-spot monitoring, and Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and road sign assist. The RX had two complete sets of LATCH connectors in the rear outboard seats.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, including 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 trim added Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors. The Black Label also featured a semi-autonomous parking assist system. The NHTSA gave the Nautilus a five-star overall rating, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not assessed the Nautilus for safety.