2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Acura MDX

The journey to the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus began with its prior generation, the Lincoln MKX, a midsize luxury SUV that shared its platform with the Ford Edge. It underwent a significant facelift in 2019, evolving into the Nautilus. The rebranding wasn't just a name swap; Lincoln shifted away from a confusing alphanumeric naming convention to a more distinct aesthetic. For 2021, while the exterior stayed much the same, the interior saw a substantial upgrade. The new dash design flaunted clean lines, soft-touch materials, and a large, crisp 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen, all part of Lincoln's stylish new design ethos. The unconventional yet practical "Piano Key" shifter-button layout, despite taking a moment to locate the stop-start button, was fairly intuitive.

The Nautilus came in three trims: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label. The Standard offered 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, synthetic leather upholstery, and a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel. The Reserve trim added luxurious touches like genuine leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a Revel 13-speaker premium stereo system. Our test vehicle, a Black Label, was loaded with features such as a twin-turbo V6 engine, 21-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, and 22-way Multi-Contour front seats that provided excellent comfort and adjustability despite their complexity. The upscale feel was further accentuated by premium materials such as the Alcantara headliner.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura MDX redesigned its exterior to convey a sportier and more assertive look. It featured expressive Jewel Eye LED headlights and new, larger wheels ranging from 19 to 20 inches. This generation of MDX was developed on a dedicated platform separate from the Honda Pilot, allowing for proportion tweaks to enhance its elegance. The increased wheelbase and body width contributed to better overall balance.

The MDX's interior saw significant upgrades as well. The lower, layered dashboard emphasized the cabin's width and openness, and quality materials such as natural wood and genuine aluminum were used alongside high-quality plastics. The unique gear selector and the 12.3-inch infotainment screen ensured a modern look. Acura paid special attention to creating a spacious, quality feel, evident in the detailed interior choices and lighting options like the 27 customizable lighting themes. The MDX's exterior could be personalized with colors like Majestic Black Pearl and Performance Red Pearl, and interior options included themes such as Red/Suede.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus featured a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The Reserve and Black Label trims offered an optional twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6, churning out 355 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. This power was delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the four-cylinder provided choices between front-wheel and all-wheel drive, the V6 was paired with standard AWD. The twin-turbo V6, especially in our Black Label test vehicle, excelled in delivering smooth yet potent performance, particularly noticeable at highway speeds. The adaptive suspension efficiently smoothed out bumps, and overall, the Nautilus maintained a composed ride through various driving conditions. However, the engine's stop-start feature, aimed at conserving fuel, did result in a slight delay when re-engaging.

The 2022 Acura MDX, at its launch, offered a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. The drivetrain options included FWD for the base model and Tech trims, with the optional Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) available for others. Acura's SH-AWD system featured torque vectoring, which effectively enhanced cornering and handling by optimizing power distribution. The updated suspension system, including a double-wishbone setup at the front and revised rear multi-link suspension, elevated the MDX's ride quality and handling. The MDX's overall structure was stiffer, contributing to a solid, confident ride free from squeaks and rattles. This was evident during our test drives, where the MDX showcased impressive handling, especially when compared to competitors like the Lexus RX L and Volvo XC90.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus offered ample cargo space with 37.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 68.8 cubic feet with the seats down, surpassing competitors like the Lexus RX 350 and Cadillac XT5. The power liftgate made loading and unloading easier, with an available hands-free feature further enhancing convenience. The two-row setup emphasized comfort for all occupants, with the rear seats providing extensive head and legroom. The front seats, particularly the 22-way adjustable multi-contour seats, offered exceptional comfort. Storage solutions included a sizable center console bin and deep door pockets.

In comparison, the 2022 Acura MDX, being a three-row SUV, was more versatile. The innovative second row allowed for a removable center section, making access to the third row easier. Folding the third row provided between 39.1 and 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space, while folding both the second and third rows expanded this to 71.4 to 95 cubic feet. This made the MDX a highly capable family and utility vehicle. Interior lighting could be customized with up to 27 themes, enhancing the cabin's ambiance. Moreover, the power tailgate featured convenient functions like Grab ‘N Go and Hands-Free Access, making it both user-friendly and technologically advanced.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with intuitive, high-definition graphics and a sensible menu layout. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were seamless, and the large icons made navigation straightforward. The Revel 19-speaker premium audio system in our test model provided exceptional sound quality. Overall, the infotainment system proved to be user-friendly and robust, underlining Lincoln’s commitment to tech-savvy luxury.

The 2022 Acura MDX also impressed with its technological offerings, headlined by the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System available in upper trims. This system, with its 16 speakers and 710-watt power, delivered a superior auditory experience. Tech Package levels included navigation, and all MDXs featured the 12.3-inch infotainment screen alongside the Acura Precision Cockpit digital instrument panel. Amazon Alexa integration, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Qi wireless charging were standard, with additional features like CabinTalk, a head-up display, and WiFi hotspot enhancing its technological appeal. The MDX also allowed for over-the-air updates, ensuring the system stayed current.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with a comprehensive 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. Available features such as adaptive cruise control and surround-view parking monitor added to its safety suite. However, the low-quality backup camera fell short, affecting visibility in low-light conditions.

For the 2022 Acura MDX, while crash-test ratings were pending, the vehicle was built with a robust safety structure using high-strength steel, aiming for higher ratings than its predecessor. The front end was redesigned for better pedestrian protection. The AcuraWatch suite was standard across all trims, featuring collision mitigation, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, and lane-keeping assist. Enhanced pedestrian detection and traffic-jam assist were also included, making the MDX a thoroughly advanced and safe vehicle for its occupants.