2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but mundane, offering a unique stance that differed significantly from its peers. Unlike other midsize SUVs that blended into school parking lots, the Highlander stood out with distinct design elements. Its wide headlights, elongated hood, and assertive, trapezoidal grille contributed to its commanding presence. The character line running along the side was reminiscent of the sporty Toyota Supra, adding a dash of athleticism to its profile. The rear end, with taillights seemingly borrowed from the Lexus lineup albeit without the vertical element, further enhanced its upscale look. The 2021 Highlander appeared longer and lower than its predecessors, striking an optimal balance between size and style.

Toyota introduced the XSE trim to the Highlander for 2021, aiming to give it a sportier edge. The XSE sported a more aggressive front end, 20-inch wheels with black accents, and a unique front fascia and lower spoiler. Albeit these sporting touches, the XSE's suspension tuning and appearance package were not performance-oriented enough to rival sporty models like the Ford Explorer ST. The Limited trim, one step below the Platinum, exuded an upscale aesthetic with chrome roof rails and accents. Inside, the Limited trim shined with near-perfect fit and finish, tan leather seats, and dark brown trim with fabulous wood details.

Conversely, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus had its roots in the second-generation Lincoln MKX, which was based on the Ford Edge platform. A significant facelift in 2019 along with a rebranding from MKX to Nautilus imbued it with far more attractive styling. The 2021 model maintained its refined exterior design, but the cabin underwent notable updates. The new dash design featured clean lines, soft materials, and a large, crisp 13.2-inch touchscreen. It also incorporated Lincoln’s unique “Piano Key” shifter buttons, which were easy to use despite their unconventional placement.

Interior comfort was a central theme in the Nautilus, highlighted by trims like the Reserve and Black Label. The Standard trim included 18-inch wheels and synthetic leather upholstery. The Reserve added genuine leather, heated and ventilated seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Black Label trim pulled out all the stops with a twin-turbo V6, standard AWD, 21-inch wheels, and various driver-assistance features. The Black Label’s 22-way Multi-Contour front seats with massaging functions elevated driver comfort to a new level, although adjusting these seats required navigating an intricate combination of controls.

In terms of performance, the 2021 Toyota Highlander was tailored more for reliability and smooth operation rather than thrilling driving experiences. It housed a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. This engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, offered both FWD and AWD configurations. It's true that the Highlander wasn't the fastest off the line, but its dependable powertrain ensured drivers could merge onto highways without hesitation. Competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride delivered comparable performance metrics, while the Honda Pilot edged ahead slightly, and the Chevy Traverse slightly lagged. The Highlander XSE aimed to provide a bit of driving excitement with retuned shock absorbers, higher-rated springs, and a rear stabilizer bar—though it wasn’t designed for track performance.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus, on the other hand, boasted more potent performance figures, especially with its higher trims. The standard engine was a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The Reserve and Black Label trims offered a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 churning out 355 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, accompanied by AWD. In our Black Label test vehicle, the twin-turbo V6 excelled in power delivery, especially at highway speeds, although it did suffer from a slight initial delay due to Lincoln’s focus on smooth, controlled acceleration. The adaptive suspension contributed to a comfortable ride, almost eliminating road bumps. The Nautilus' driving experience, though not sporty, was composed and pleasant in nearly all scenarios.

Interior space and cargo capacity made or broke the practicality of three-row crossovers like the 2021 Toyota Highlander. The Highlander featured innovative storage solutions, with shelves large enough for substantial cell phones and a pass-through for charging cords. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with seats that slid to provide more or less space as needed. However, the third-row seating was snug, suitable for adults only on short trips. The Highlander offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet with the third row down, and 84.3 cubic feet with both rows folded. This spaciousness was ideal for family outings and errands, though minivans still offered more cargo capacity.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus, being a two-row midsize luxury SUV, focused on optimizing comfort and cargo space for fewer passengers. It provided up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space, greater than its rivals like the Lexus RX 350 and Cadillac XT5. With rear seats in use, it still offered a generous 37.2 cubic feet. The Nautilus came with a standard power liftgate, and a hands-free option was available for added convenience. It prioritized two-row comfort, with ample head- and legroom in the rear seats. In the front, the optionally available 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable front seats were a highlight, allowing for unparalleled customization and comfort. Additionally, the Nautilus featured a large center console bin and deep in-door pockets for practicality.

For technology enthusiasts, the 2021 Toyota Highlander didn’t disappoint. Lower trims came with an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like the Limited offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen as an option, standard in the Platinum trim. Both systems were user-friendly, though navigation was dodgy with points of interest. Standard features included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ensuring seamless phone integration. The 12.3-inch screen on our test model was bright, crisp, and fast, complemented by a JBL audio system.

Contrastingly, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus showcased a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, praised for its high-definition graphics and intuitive menu layout. This system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, taking full advantage of the screen’s real estate without unnecessary divisions. Our test model included a wireless charging pad and the Revel 19-speaker premium audio system, which delivered exceptional sound quality, reinforcing the luxurious tech-savvy ambiance of the Nautilus.