2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus evolved from its predecessor, the Lincoln MKX, which shared its platform with the Ford Edge. In 2019, the MKX was rebranded as the Nautilus, marking a shift away from Lincoln's previous alphanumeric naming strategy and embracing a more appealing design. For 2021, the Nautilus retained its exterior design but introduced a refreshed cabin. The interior featured a sleek new dashboard with clean lines, soft materials, and a prominent touchscreen. The unconventional "Piano Key" shifter-button layout was easy to use, although finding the stop-start button required some adjustment. The 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen system was user-friendly, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the glossy screen added a touch of elegance.

The Nautilus was available in three trims: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label. The Standard trim included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, a power liftgate, and dual-zone climate control. The Reserve trim added features like a hands-free power liftgate, leather upholstery, and a panoramic sunroof. The Black Label trim offered a twin-turbo V6 engine, AWD, and a 19-speaker premium stereo. The Black Label test vehicle boasted 22-way Multi-Contour massaging front seats, a cargo utility package, and active park assist. While the massaging seats were luxurious, adjusting them was complex. The Alcantara headliner enhanced the upscale feel of the SUV.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 borrowed styling cues from other Genesis models but maintained a distinct appearance. It featured quad LED headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that gave it a sporty, fastback-like profile. The GV70 combined SUV bulk with athletic elements, creating a rugged yet sleek look. The Sport Prestige model added unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim. The rear bumper housed giant round exhaust outlets, adding to its sporty character.

Inside, the GV70's design was inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with most controls housed in a thin elliptical pod. The minimalistic design included a perched touchscreen and hidden air vents. The rotary gear selector and infotainment controller added a futuristic touch. The interior offered various color options, and the Sport Prestige test car featured Nappa leather upholstery with suede inserts. While base models had leatherette seats, the Sport Prestige's heavily bolstered front seats provided excellent support for spirited driving. However, the interior design compromised storage space, with limited room in the center console and door pockets. The front seats included heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

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 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine featured standard front-wheel drive (FWD) with available AWD, while the twin-turbo V6 came standard with AWD. The V6 provided impressive power, especially at highway speeds, with smooth and controlled acceleration. The adaptive suspension minimized road bumps, offering a comfortable ride. However, the engine stop-start feature caused a slight delay in response.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and came with standard AWD. The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode sharpened throttle response and held high revs for quick overtakes. However, the GV70's chassis felt heavy, lacking the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX and BMW X3. The steering was adequate but not precise enough for spirited driving. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising but had a firm ride with 21-inch wheels.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus offered up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space, surpassing competitors like 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 an available hands-free option. The Nautilus prioritized two-row comfort, with ample head- and legroom in the rear seats. The front seats, especially the 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable units, were exceptionally comfortable. The interior featured a large center console bin and deep in-door pockets for storage.

The 2022 Genesis GV70's interior space was average for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it offered similar front-seat headroom to the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom to the BMW X3. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The GV70's daring interior design compromised storage space, with limited room in the center console and door pockets. However, it included a covered storage cubby for phones with USB ports. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, providing excellent support for spirited driving but potentially feeling confining for some drivers. The seats featured heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-definition graphics and a user-friendly menu layout. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons for easy navigation. The system included a wireless charging pad, enhancing the phone-car relationship. The Revel 19-speaker premium audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly. The glass rotary controller with pinch-and-zoom functionality added a high-quality touch. Higher trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 featured a digital-key option, allowing smartphone use in place of a key fob, and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. The rear-seat monitors used radar to detect a baby's breathing, and the 360-degree camera system could be activated remotely through an app.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came with the CoPilot360 package, offering standard driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking, 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, and adaptive headlights. However, the standard backup camera had low-quality visuals, making it challenging to see in low-light conditions.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, being a new model, lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. It came standard with safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver-attention monitor. The Highway Driving Assist added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control. The GV70 included eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The Highway Driving Assist provided smooth control inputs but struggled with sharp curves.