2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

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 facelifted and renamed the Nautilus, moving away from the alphanumeric naming convention and adopting a more attractive styling. For 2021, the exterior design 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 touchscreen. The "Piano Key" shifter-button layout was unconventional but easy to use, although finding the stop-start button took some extra time. The standard 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen system was user-friendly and visually appealing, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

The Nautilus came in three trims: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label. The Standard trim included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a power rear liftgate, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The Reserve trim added features like a hands-free power liftgate, genuine leather upholstery, and a panoramic sunroof. The Black Label trim, which we tested, included a twin-turbo V6 engine, 21-inch wheels, and a 19-speaker premium stereo. Our test vehicle also featured 22-way Multi-Contour front seats, a cargo utility package, and enhanced active park assist. The massaging seats were a highlight, although adjusting them was somewhat complicated. The Alcantara headliner added to the upscale feel of the SUV.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an extended version of the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, adding 11.4 inches in length to accommodate a third row of seats. The wheelbase was also extended by five inches, providing more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The design was elegant and unmistakably Jeep, with a seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and a blunt front end. The lighting was modernized, and the paint finish and panel fit were improved. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome. For 2022, Jeep added new exterior paint colors: Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

The interior of the Grand Cherokee L was luxurious, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The design and tactile quality were comparable to a Mercedes. Even in all-black, the interior had enough detail and contrast to keep passengers comfortable. The lighter tan leather option required extra care to keep clean. The Grand Cherokee L was significantly more expensive than a loaded Kia Telluride, but the quality of materials and design justified the price.

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, which delivered 355 horsepower and 380 pound-feet 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. Our Black Label test vehicle featured the twin-turbo V6, which provided excellent power, especially at highway speeds. The adaptive suspension smoothed out road bumps, and the vehicle felt firm and planted through corners.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The V6 produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for a vehicle of this size. The V8, available only on higher trims, delivered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The 4xe plug-in hybrid option, which we did not test, combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, producing 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The V6 had an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was rated at 14/22/17.

The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was impressive, with ride composure and steering feel that were taut and direct. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, ranging from an Access height for easy entry and exit to an Off-road 2 mode with up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance. The driving modes adjusted various systems for different terrains, similar to Land Rover's system. The Grand Cherokee L had a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus offered up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 37.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in use. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available. The Nautilus focused on two-row comfort, with plenty of head- and legroom in the rear seats. The front seats were particularly comfortable, especially the available 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable units. The center console bin and in-door pockets provided ample storage space, and the floating center controls design allowed for additional storage below the radio and climate controls.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and straightforward graphics. The system included physical switches for climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions, which were easy to use. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L offered plenty of space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs standard and a 60/40 split bench seat available as an option. A panoramic roof, large windows, and ample USB ports enhanced the comfort of long journeys. However, the air vents were too small, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was quite loud.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came with a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-definition graphics and a sensible menu layout. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons and no unnecessary repackaging of CarPlay. The available wireless charging pad made phone integration seamless. Our test model featured the Revel 19-speaker premium audio system, which provided excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a range of high-end features on upper trims, including multiple massage modes for the 16-way power adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, and a 360-degree camera system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, providing a zoomed-in view of the next corner. The Uconnect system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the ability to connect two phones simultaneously. New for 2022, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen display for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat passengers. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors were standard. The Summit trims offered additional features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, and a rear-facing camera.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came with the 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, 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and various driver aids. The Summit trims offered additional features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, and a rear-facing camera.