2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a departure from its predecessors, which often resembled dressed-up Ford Expeditions. While it shared some structural elements with the Expedition, such as side glass and the general shape of the rear seats, the Navigator distinguished itself with unique design features, including a distinct turn signal stalk. Its elegance and understated design were impressive, especially for a large SUV. The Navigator's exterior featured simple rectilinear shapes, a body-color grille, and a few chrome accents, creating a classy appearance. The Pristine White model with a white-painted grille and black wheels was particularly striking during winter tests. Inside, the Navigator offered a modern and muted interior with seven color palettes, layered wood trim, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials were of high quality, and the Black Label trims elevated the luxury with additional textures and softer leather. The Perfect Position seats, adjustable in 30 different ways, added to the comfort, making the Navigator's interior one of the best in its class.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in the Black Label trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels, was an attractive SUV with a balanced and characterful design. The Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence added a touch of sophistication when approaching the vehicle at night. Inside, the Black Label offered design themes like Chalet and Flight, with premium leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner. The Nautilus Black Label was well-equipped, featuring Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, making long drives comfortable. The Nautilus was priced starting at $44,225, with the Black Label trim beginning at $66,825. Despite some cheap-looking chrome-plated plastic pieces, the Nautilus provided a luxurious experience, making it a strong contender in its segment.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a remarkable twin-turbo V6 engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered impressive acceleration and a satisfying sound. The Navigator offered both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) options, with a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging in the teens, aligning with the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. While the Navigator's adaptive dampers were standard, its suspension felt less refined compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. Despite some shortcomings in steering and braking precision, the Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power, with paddle shifters adding a touch of sportiness.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine producing 335 horsepower. The Black Label trim came with the V6 engine and required all-wheel drive (AWD). The Nautilus featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behavior and steering effort. While Comfort mode felt too soft, Normal mode provided a balanced driving experience. The Nautilus excelled on long road trips, offering a quiet and comfortable ride with features like massaging and heated seats. Its fuel economy was commendable, with the V6 achieving an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined. The Nautilus impressed with its road-trip capabilities, providing a serene and enjoyable driving experience, although its steering lacked engagement.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a spacious interior, accommodating up to eight passengers with its optional bench seating. Its boxy shape contributed to generous cargo space, offering 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and a total of 103 cubic feet. The Navigator Reserve trim featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. However, it lacked some advanced features found in competitors, such as electrically reclining second-row seats. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with numerous adjustments and massage programs. Despite its size, the Navigator provided excellent visibility, although parking could be challenging due to its large dimensions.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label offered a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet cabin. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments and massage programs. While the Nautilus provided a comfortable driving position, rear legroom was somewhat limited for a midsize SUV. Practical storage space was adequate, although some compartments were hard to access. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a well-finished luggage compartment, offering 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 68.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which felt small compared to newer competitors. While the system was intuitive and shared its interface with Ford vehicles, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo provided good sound quality, but the Navigator's technology felt dated compared to rivals. However, it offered features like onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connectivity options.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system running the latest Sync 4 software. This system offered over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Black Label trim included a 19-speaker Revel premium audio system, providing excellent sound quality. The Nautilus featured intuitive controls, with physical stereo and climate controls for convenience. The Phone as a Key feature allowed the smartphone to function as a digital key, adding to the convenience of the Nautilus.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with four stars for rollover resistance in 4WD models and three stars in RWD models. It lacked knee airbags but offered optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, although it didn't match the self-steering capabilities of some competitors.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Black Label trim added Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The driving assistance systems proved effective during testing, enhancing safety without causing driver irritation.