2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus began its journey as the second-generation Lincoln MKX, sharing the same platform with the Ford Edge. Renamed from the MKX in 2019, the Nautilus introduced a more sophisticated and attractive design, moving away from Lincoln's earlier alphanumeric naming conventions. For 2021, the Nautilus retained its exterior styling but featured a significantly updated cabin. The new dash design was sharp and modern, incorporating clean lines with soft materials and a large, 13.2-inch touchscreen. The "Piano Key" shifter-button layout added a unique and user-friendly touch, although the stop-start button near the shifter buttons required some getting used to.

Available in three trims—Standard, Reserve, and Black Label—the Nautilus catered to varying customer needs. The base trim came equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, synthetic leather upholstery, and a host of other comfort and convenience features. The Reserve trim added features like a hands-free power liftgate, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Black Label, the most luxurious trim, included a twin-turbo V6, 21-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, and a 19-speaker premium stereo. The Black Label test vehicle showcased 22-way multi-contour front seats with massaging functions, further enhancing its upscale feel.

The 2022 Ford Explorer expanded its lineup to eight models, ranging in price from $33,745 to $54,495. The Explorer lineup recently added the rugged Timberline and luxurious King Ranch trims, with the 2022 model introducing the sporty Explorer ST-Line. Our test vehicle, the King Ranch, featured 4WD, Rapid Red paint, a Premium Technology package, and a twin-panel sunroof, totaling an MSRP of $59,880.

Visually, the King Ranch differed slightly from other Explorer models, sporting King Ranch emblems, 20-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. The Explorer’s design, based on a rear-drive platform, allowed for a sleek, athletic appearance—complete with a long hood, short front overhang, and a tapering greenhouse with a "floating roof" effect due to its blacked-out roof pillars.

Inside, the King Ranch featured exclusive Del Rio leather seating, with branding marks on the seats and center armrest. The unique chocolate brown over caramel interior added a distinct touch, although some cost-saving materials were still evident. The interior boasted triple-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, massaging front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. However, the third-row seat's access and comfort were limited, making it suitable only for children.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The Reserve and Black Label trims offered an optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6, generating an impressive 355 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the four-cylinder available in FWD or AWD, and the V6 offering AWD as standard.

The twin-turbo V6 in the Black Label test vehicle delivered ample power, especially at highway speeds. Its acceleration was smooth and controlled, thanks to Lincoln’s approach to luxury and the adaptive suspension that minimized road bumps. Although not a sports car, the Nautilus managed to handle corners with composure and felt firm and planted.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. The Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims were equipped with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and was available in RWD or 4WD, providing a maximum towing capacity of 5,300 pounds and up to 24 mpg in combined driving.

Optional on the Limited trim and reducing the Platinum trim’s price by $1,400 was a hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.3-liter V6. The hybrid engine offered 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque, towed up to 5,000 pounds, and achieved up to 27 mpg in combined driving. Meanwhile, the most powerful option was the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, standard on the ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims. This engine produced 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, offering 5,600 pounds of towing capacity and 21 mpg in combined driving.

Our King Ranch 4WD test vehicle averaged 20.6 mpg. The twin-turbo V6 provided satisfying acceleration and a pleasant exhaust note but lacked the hybrid's efficiency. The Explorer’s ride quality was robust, handling daily driving and moderate off-road terrain comfortably, though models like the Timberline were better suited for off-roading with greater ground clearance and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus excelled in cargo space, offering up to 68.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, surpassing competitors like the Lexus RX 350 and Cadillac XT5. With the rear seats in use, it provided a respectable 37.2 cubic feet. Standard equipment included a power liftgate, with an available option for a hands-free power liftgate.

The Nautilus focused on two-row comfort, with ample headroom and legroom in the rear seats, suitable for adults even on long journeys. The front seats were the highlight, especially the 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable units. The interior featured soft-touch materials and practical storage solutions, including a large center console bin and deep in-door pockets.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered comfort for families of four and occasional room for five with a second-row bench seat. However, the rear-drive platform and tapered design made the third-row seat suitable only for children.

The King Ranch trim provided a host of luxury features, including triple-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and massaging functional front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs were heated and accommodated passengers well, but the third row was challenging to access and uncomfortable for adults.

Practical storage within the Explorer's cabin was limited, with a small center console bin and missed opportunities for additional trays and pockets. The King Ranch featured a hands-free power liftgate, revealing 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The Nautilus boasted an impressive 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-definition graphics and an intuitive menu layout. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, displaying large, clear icons. A home button provided easy navigation through menus.

Our test vehicle included a wireless charging pad, enhancing convenience for smartphone users. The Revel 19-speaker premium audio system delivered excellent sound quality, making the Nautilus a tech-savvy and enjoyable vehicle to drive.

Ford offered two versions of the Sync 3 infotainment system in the 2022 Explorer. The base version included an 8-inch horizontally mounted screen, well-integrated with the interior design. The upgraded 10.1-inch portrait-style screen felt less cohesive.

Our King Ranch test vehicle included FordPass Connect services, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Bang and Olufsen 14-speaker premium sound system. However, the old Sync 3 system showed its age, with less effective voice recognition compared to newer systems like Sync 4.

The King Ranch also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0, which could autonomously park the vehicle. Yet, the voice recognition system struggled with basic commands, detracting from the overall tech experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came with a comprehensive CoPilot360 package, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning. Additional available features included adaptive cruise control and a surround-view parking monitor.

One shortcoming was the standard backup camera’s low quality, making it difficult to see in low light. However, the array of driver assistance technologies made the Nautilus a safe choice overall.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, indicating strong crash protection and safety features. Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring.

The Explorer also offered Co-Pilot360 Assist+ with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. The safety systems operated smoothly, although the system's occasional oversensitivity to hand presence on the steering wheel was notable.