2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus emerged from its predecessor, the Lincoln MKX, with a refreshed identity and design. This midsize luxury SUV retained its exterior styling from previous years but introduced a revamped cabin that aligned with Lincoln's modern design ethos. The interior boasted clean lines, soft-touch materials, and a prominent 13.2-inch touchscreen that seamlessly integrated with the dashboard. The unconventional "Piano Key" shifter-button layout was a notable feature, offering ease of use despite its unique design. The Nautilus was available in three trims: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label, each offering a range of luxury features and options, including a twin-turbo V6 engine in the Black Label trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness pushed the boundaries of the traditional station wagon, offering a rugged, off-road-ready version of the popular model. With 9.5 inches of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers, the Wilderness was designed for adventure. Its exterior featured a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, while the interior was outfitted with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and all-weather floor mats. The Outback Wilderness was positioned between the Onyx XT and Limited XT trims, offering a balance of rugged capability and comfort, with a focus on off-road performance.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus offered a choice between two engines: a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, and an optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine available on the Reserve and standard on the Black Label, delivering 355 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the four-cylinder offering front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the V6 came standard with all-wheel drive. The V6 engine provided smooth and controlled acceleration, complemented by an adaptive suspension that ensured a comfortable ride.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine, generating 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine, shared with the Outback XT models, was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) featuring eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters. While the CVT's droning and soft gear changes detracted from the driving experience, the Wilderness excelled off-road with its 9.5 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and advanced traction systems. The Wilderness trim also featured improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, making it the most capable Outback for off-road adventures.

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 seats in use. The interior emphasized two-row comfort, with ample head and legroom for rear passengers and luxurious 22-way multi-contour front seats. Storage options included a large center console bin and deep in-door pockets, while the floating center controls design provided additional storage space.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could become uncomfortable in hot weather. The interior offered generous rear seat room, with dual USB charging ports and rear air conditioning vents. The cargo area provided 32.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 75.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also boasted a robust roof rack capable of supporting a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus was equipped with a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring high-definition graphics and a user-friendly menu layout. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the available Revel 19-speaker premium audio system delivered exceptional sound quality. The system's intuitive design made it easy to navigate, with a helpful home button for quick access to the main screen.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by physical knobs and buttons for essential functions. While the voice recognition technology required learning specific prompts, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered superior voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, but its PIN code entry technology allowed for secure access without a key fob.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus featured the CoPilot360 package, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional driver assistance features were available, such as adaptive cruise control and a surround-view parking monitor. However, the backup camera's low quality was a notable drawback.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with the EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness trim also included steering-responsive headlights and a blind-spot warning system. While crash-test results for the 2022 model were unavailable, the 2021 Outback received high safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.