2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out by not mimicking its competitors' styles. Instead, it adopted the successful design language of the larger Navigator, resulting in a sharp-looking vehicle with crisp lines and chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the luxurious feel.

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. The Black Label models featured unique interior design themes like Chalet and Flight, with premium leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner. However, some chrome-plated plastic pieces in the center console looked a bit cheap. The Nautilus had a starting MSRP of $44,225, with the Black Label trim starting at $66,825.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine in its Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, with options for rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid version of the same engine, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator excelled on highways but struggled with body roll in corners and tight city driving.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in its standard and Reserve trims, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered FWD as standard, with AWD as an option. The Black Label trim featured a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine, producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, requiring AWD. The Nautilus offered Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with Normal mode providing the best balance. The twin-turbo V6 delivered a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg, with a maximum range of 450 miles on the highway.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring trim with captain's chairs and a digital control panel, was particularly comfortable. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label featured smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive. The front seats were heated, ventilated, and optionally 22-way power-adjustable with massage functions. The rear seats were also heated, but legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. The Nautilus offered 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 68.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. Practical storage space was adequate but not exceptional.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was intuitive and user-friendly. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons that utilized the entire screen. The Aviator also featured a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen with Sync 4 software, offering over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Black Label trim included connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system was intuitive, with physical stereo and climate controls, and the Revel speakers provided excellent sound quality. The Nautilus also offered Phone as a Key, turning your smartphone into a digital key.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added features like reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus included Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Black Label trim added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but had not been assessed by the IIHS.