2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus had its roots in the second-generation Lincoln MKX, which was based on the Ford Edge platform. In 2019, it was facelifted and renamed the Nautilus, moving away from the alphanumeric naming convention and embracing more attractive styling. For 2021, the exterior remained largely unchanged, but the cabin received a significant update. The new dash design featured clean lines, soft materials, and a large, crisp 13.2-inch touchscreen. The "Piano Key" shifter-button layout was unconventional but easy to use, although finding the stop-start button took some extra time. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the glossy screen reflected the bright work in the center console.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, had a more conservative approach to styling, reflecting its older customer base. However, over the last 15 years, Buick transitioned from a sedan-heavy lineup to an all-SUV portfolio. The Enclave, which debuted in 2008, received a mid-cycle refresh for 2022, including a new grille, front and rear fascias, headlamps, taillamps, and wheel designs. The Avenir trim level featured unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave had a restyled center console with new push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim also included standard climate-controlled front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and unique trim and seat stitching.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a 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-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6, delivering 355 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine had standard front-wheel drive (FWD) with available all-wheel drive (AWD), while the twin-turbo V6 came standard with AWD. The twin-turbo V6 provided terrific power, especially at highway speeds, with smooth and controlled acceleration. The adaptive suspension nearly eliminated bumps, and the Nautilus felt firm and planted through corners. The engine stop-start feature had a slight delay, but overall, the driving experience was pleasant.

The 2022 Buick Enclave kept it simple with a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 with direct injection, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave came standard with FWD, with AWD available on all trims. The SUV's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave provided a smooth and quiet ride, thanks to the optional Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. The AWD-equipped test vehicle handled well on various terrains, and the QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology created a serene cabin environment. The powertrain was responsive, and the nine-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly.

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. The front seats, especially the 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable units, were the optimal places to sit. The soft-touch center console and door handles added to the comfort. The Nautilus also had a large center console bin and deep in-door pockets for storage.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, being one of the larger SUVs in its class, offered a roomy cabin with plenty of headroom, legroom, hip room, and shoulder room for passengers in all three rows. The third row was comfortable even for six-footers, and the standard second-row captain's chairs made access easy. The restyled center console featured new push-button transmission gears and a covered compartment with two cupholders. The Enclave provided ample storage, with 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The power-folding third-row seats made accessing the cargo space even easier.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-definition graphics and a sensible menu layout. The wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto presented well on the large screen, with no barriers to entry. The available wireless charging pad made phone integration seamless. The Revel 19-speaker premium audio system provided incredible sound quality for both music and talk radio.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came with a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with Premium and Avenir trims getting a larger 8-inch reconfigurable version. The Essence trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The Enclave's infotainment system could pair up to 10 devices, with two smartphones active simultaneously. The built-in WiFi hotspot could handle up to four devices up to 50 feet away. The 10-speaker Bose audio system in Premium and Avenir trims was superior to the standard six-speaker system, although it could use more power. The Enclave also came with a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM 360L and six USB ports.

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 available features included adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights. However, the standard backup camera was low-quality, making it hard to see in low-light scenarios.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant updates to its driver-assist and safety tech, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard on all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-change alert with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance with lane-departure warning, rear park assist, following-distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlights. Other standard safety items included a Safety Alert driver's seat, rear-seat reminder system, and HD reversing camera. Premium trim added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera, head-up display, and rear pedestrian alert. The Enclave received a four-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, except for an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.