2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus had its origins in the second-generation Lincoln MKX, which was based on the Ford Edge platform. In 2019, it was rebranded as the Nautilus, shedding the alphanumeric naming convention and adopting a more attractive design. For 2021, the exterior remained largely unchanged, but the interior saw significant updates. The cabin featured a new dash design with clean lines, soft materials, and a large, crisp 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen. The unconventional “Piano Key” shifter-button layout was easy to use, though finding the stop-start button took some getting used to. The infotainment system was user-friendly, and the glossy screen reflected the bright work in the center console, making sunglasses a handy accessory.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, while not a visual stunner, offered a unique proposition as a plug-in hybrid minivan. Starting at $49,095 for the base Touring L trim, the Pacifica Hybrid was not cheap, with the Limited trim costing $54,095 and the Pinnacle version at $57,645. Our test vehicle, a Limited trim with extra-cost paint, the S Appearance Package, and a Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment system, brought the MSRP to $57,680. Despite its rounded, flowing exterior and interior styling, which appeared soft and dated, the Pacifica Hybrid’s black Nappa premium leather interior felt and smelled like quality. However, it didn’t try to hide its minivan identity, unlike the more stylish Kia Carnival.

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, standard on the Black Label, 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 with standard AWD. The V6 provided excellent power, especially at highway speeds, with smooth and controlled acceleration. The adaptive suspension nearly eliminated road bumps, and the Nautilus felt firm and planted through corners. The engine stop-start feature, however, had a slight delay in response.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a plug-in hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system. One motor acted as an electrically variable transmission, while the other drove the front wheels. A 16-kWh battery pack under the second-row seats provided up to 32 miles of electric-only range. The total system output was 260 horsepower, and the electric drive system’s torque was immediately available. The Pacifica Hybrid never felt underpowered, even with a full load. It could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The regenerative braking system captured energy to recharge the battery, and the transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly imperceptible. However, the driving experience was dull, with light and uncommunicative steering, unremarkable regenerative brakes, and a sometimes unnatural ride quality due to the low-mounted battery weight.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus offered up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, 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 available 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. Storage options included a large center console bin and deep in-door pockets.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and significant cargo space. Equipped with triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats, the Pacifica Hybrid Limited kept its cool during a mid-summer heat wave. Storage options were impressive, with extra shelves in the front door panels, a large floor tray under the center console, and a long storage bin behind the center console. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica’s Stow n’ Go chairs, though they did not collapse into the floor. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, with cupholders, USB ports, and side window shades. The Pacifica Hybrid provided 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, 87.5 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and up to 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

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 or secret handshakes. The available wireless charging pad made phone integration seamless. The Revel 19-speaker premium audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen display with appealing graphics and a simple user interface. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and connected services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The available FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to check on rear-seat passengers. The 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system required some adjustment for optimal sound quality. The rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV allowed for streaming and gaming, though teenagers preferred their own devices. The surround-view camera system and parking assist system were useful features.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came with the standard CoPilot360 package, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features included adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, a 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.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid claimed to offer more standard safety and security features than any other vehicle in the industry. It included a rear-seat reminder system to prevent leaving children or pets inside the vehicle. The Pacifica Hybrid had adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist, though the adaptive cruise control needed refinement. The Pacifica earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection.