2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus evolved from its predecessor, the Lincoln MKX, which shared its platform with the Ford Edge. In 2019, it underwent a facelift and was rebranded as the Nautilus, shedding its alphanumeric name for a more stylish identity. The 2021 model retained its exterior design but introduced a revamped cabin featuring a sleek 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 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, drawing attention with its distinctive design. It borrowed the tall, tent-like profile of the larger Range Rover and transformed it into a sporty, streamlined package. The Velar's exterior featured a sloping roof, wide shoulder crease, and flush door handles, creating a liquid-like form. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Inside, the Velar's cabin was stylish, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The three screens, including two touchscreens and a reconfigurable instrument panel, offered sharp graphics and sophisticated design.

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, with all-wheel drive available, while the V6 came with standard all-wheel drive. The V6 provided impressive power, especially at highway speeds, and the adaptive suspension ensured a smooth and controlled ride.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower center of gravity and lighter weight for improved handling. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's optional air suspension provided a plush ride and could raise the body for increased clearance. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine, available in two states of tune, offered 340 to 395 horsepower and 354 to 405 pound-feet of torque, enhancing performance with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.

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. The Nautilus prioritized two-row comfort, with ample head- and legroom for rear passengers. The front seats, especially the available 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable units, provided optimal comfort. The interior featured a large center console bin and deep in-door pockets for storage.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had a tighter interior compared to midsize SUVs, with limited headroom for rear-seat passengers and reduced visibility due to thick B-pillars. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design sacrifices practicality for style, and it lacked a discrete control for the parking brake, which was integrated into the transmission button. The Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability, and the steering wheel lost touch-sensitive controls for better functionality.

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 available wireless charging pad enhanced convenience, and the Revel 19-speaker premium audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system simplified the layout with fewer icons and logical arrangements. It offered features like voice activation, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system could suggest traffic detours and silence voice instructions when familiar roads were detected. The 4x4 app provided off-road measurements, and the 360-degree cameras offered a 3D view of the vehicle. The instrument panel could display full-width maps and reconfigure gauges, while the optional adaptive cruise control included steering assist.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came with the CoPilot360 package, offering standard driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional features included adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, and adaptive headlights. However, the standard backup camera had low-quality visuals.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar received a five-star rating in the European NCAP, with a 93-percent score for front and side impact tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.