2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2022 Ford Explorer lineup featured no fewer than eight models, with prices ranging from $33,745 to $54,495, excluding a $1,495 destination charge. In 2021, the Explorer family grew with the rugged Timberline and opulent King Ranch trims. For 2022, the Explorer family welcomed the ST-Line, which added a sporty flair to the popular XLT version.

Our test drive was in the Explorer King Ranch, equipped with four-wheel drive (4WD), a luxurious Rapid Red paint job, a Premium Technology package, and a twin-panel sunroof, culminating in an MSRP of $59,880, including destination.

Visually, the King Ranch stood out with its door and liftgate emblems, shiny 20-inch 10-spoke wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. Beyond these features, however, the King Ranch closely resembled other Explorer models. Despite this, the Explorer remained an attractive SUV. Its rear-drive platform allowed for a long, tall hood, short front overhang, rakish roofline, and tapering greenhouse, contributing to a sporty, athletic look. Blacked-out roof pillars created a “floating roof” effect, a popular design choice from the previous generation.

Inside, the Explorer King Ranch was adorned with exclusive Del Rio leather seating, featuring lasso-perforated inserts and the King Ranch branding on seats and the center armrest. The interior color was limited to a chocolate brown over caramel combination. Selecting the Platinum trim would be necessary for those preferring different color schemes. The cabin had a mix of quality materials and some parts that felt inexpensive for the price point. Overall, it mostly deserved its nearly $60,000 price tag, though reminders of the base trim levels were occasionally evident.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label, particularly when equipped with 21-inch machined-finish wheels, presented a visually enticing option. The design was balanced, avoiding plainness through intricate detailing that gave it character.

Approaching the Nautilus after dark triggered a Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence, adding a touch of elegance. Inside, the Black Label model featured specific design themes—either a light gray Chalet or the new-for-2022 Flight theme in Luggage Tan. Our test vehicle’s Chalet design offered premium leather upholstery, enhancing the overall luxurious feel.

The Black Label trim included nearly all available options for the Nautilus, combined with a simulated suede headliner and luxury floor mats. Despite these additions, some areas—like the center console design and chrome-plated plastic parts—looked less upscale.

The base Nautilus started at $44,225, including a $1,195 destination charge, while the loaded Black Label began at $66,825. Our Black Label test model, with Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, was priced at $68,325. These seats proved ideal for a 14-hour round-trip drive.

For 2022, the Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. The Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims were equipped with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) was standard, with 4WD as an option. This engine boasted a towing capacity of up to 5,300 pounds and provided a combined fuel efficiency of up to 24 mpg.

A hybrid powertrain, combining a 3.3-liter V6 engine, was optional for the Limited (with a price reduction for the Platinum). This hybrid system generated a combined 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, could tow up to 5,000 pounds, and achieved up to 27 mpg in combined driving. Both RWD and 4WD configurations were available, along with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

For those prioritizing acceleration and towing capacity over fuel economy, the Explorer offered a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. Standard in the ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims, this engine produced 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain also used a 10-speed automatic transmission and could tow up to 5,600 pounds, albeit with a lower combined fuel efficiency of 21 mpg, according to EPA ratings.

Our 4WD King Ranch test vehicle averaged 20.6 mpg. The twin-turbo V6 provided considerable power, smooth acceleration, and a pleasing exhaust note. However, for those not requiring the extra towing capacity or V6’s torque, the hybrid powertrain offered a better blend of power, efficiency, and capability, though it was not available for the King Ranch trim. Instead, the hybrid powertrain could be found in the Explorer Platinum.

The Explorer, particularly in its King Ranch trim, had a solid and robust ride, feeling more like a traditional SUV rather than a typical crossover. It handled bumps adeptly and proved capable off-road with its 7.9 inches of ground clearance. Explorer Timberline models improved on this with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and enhanced approach, breakover, and departure angles.

In daily driving, the Explorer King Ranch proved agile, especially for those who enjoyed spirited driving. Those seeking higher performance could opt for the ST trim with the High-Performance package.

In the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, the standard and Reserve trims came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine utilized an eight-speed automatic transmission, and while front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, all-wheel drive (AWD) was an available option.

The Nautilus Black Label featured a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6, producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, mandating AWD. This engine could also be selected on the Nautilus Reserve trim.

Driving modes included Comfort, Normal, and Sport, each affecting powertrain behavior, steering effort, and adaptive suspension settings. Initially delivered in Comfort mode, the Nautilus felt overly soft, while Sport mode made the steering excessively heavy. Normal mode struck a pleasing balance.

On a long drive from Los Angeles to Scottsdale, Arizona, the Nautilus shined with its quiet, comfortable ride, aided by massaging and heated driver’s seats and a heated steering wheel. Over an 871.1-mile journey, the twin-turbo V6 notably averaged 25 mpg, improving from an official EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving.

During a drive in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Nautilus was unexpectedly graceful and athletic, especially in Sport mode. The twin-turbo V6 performed impressively, though the steering lacked engagement. The Revel audio system provided excellent sound quality for our favorite music.

Despite sharing its platform with the Ford Edge, which led to a spirited driving experience in the Edge ST, some of that dynamic spirit carried over to the Nautilus.

The 2022 Ford Explorer was comfortable for families of four, though adding a fifth passenger was possible with the second-row bench seat. However, the rear-drive platform, low rear roofline, and tapered tail made the third-row suitable for children only.

Our King Ranch was fully equipped, including triple-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats featured massage functions, with 14-way power adjustment for drivers and eight-way for front passengers.

The second-row seats offered excellent comfort, but accessing the third row was difficult for adults. Once back there, the low, flat cushion and limited legroom were uncomfortable for grown-ups.

Cabin storage was somewhat lacking. Ford missed opportunities to enhance practical storage, with the center console storage bin being notably small. The interior also lacked storage shelves, cubbies, and hooks.

At the rear, the King Ranch had a hands-free power liftgate. Behind the third-row seat, there were 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding the third row created 47.9 cubic feet, and folding both the second and third rows maximized cargo volume to 87.8 cubic feet.

Entering the Lincoln Nautilus Black Label greeted you with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet cabin due to Active Noise Control and acoustic glass.

Optional 22-way power front seats offered multiple massage programs, adjustable thigh extensions, and head restraints, enhancing long-distance comfort. Both front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel.

Rear passengers in the Nautilus also enjoyed heated seats and air conditioning vents, but the rear was unexpectedly tight in terms of legroom. The high seating position and reclining seatbacks were positives.

Practical storage space was adequate, though larger spaces behind the stereo and climate controls were hard to access. The covered bin forward of the cupholders wasn’t especially large.

The Nautilus’s hands-free power liftgate opened to reveal 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 68.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. This cargo capacity was smaller than the Explorer’s.

The 2022 Ford Explorer came equipped with two versions of the Sync 3 infotainment system. One featured an 8-inch horizontal touchscreen, while the other boasted a larger 10.1-inch portrait-style screen.

Our test vehicle had the full menu of Sync 3 technology, including FordPass Connect services with remote engine starting, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot (service costs extra), Ford+Alexa functionality, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a navigation system. It also featured wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system.

The outdated Sync 3 technology lagged behind the newer Sync 4 system, which Ford offered in other models. The voice recognition system struggled with commands, and a new dashboard accommodating larger touchscreen displays was needed.

Technology highlights included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0, a semi-autonomous parking system. An available rear-seat entertainment system came with dual rear touchscreen displays.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system running the latest Sync 4 software, paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display.

Sync 4 offered over-the-air updates, ensuring the system stayed current. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect connected services, a WiFi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. Our Black Label test vehicle also had connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel premium audio system.

The system was user-friendly, with an intuitive interface and a wide range of settings. Physical stereo and climate controls were appreciated, even if the control pod’s design was less impressive. The natural voice recognition system worked well, and the Revel speakers sounded excellent.

Additional tech included Phone as a Key, allowing the smartphone to act as a digital key to unlock and start the Nautilus, a handy feature given the SUV’s large remote keyless entry fob.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for every trim level. At the time of this review, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not published complete crash-test ratings for the 2022 Explorer, though the 2021 model had earned five stars in all categories except rollover resistance, which received four stars.

Standard safety features in the Explorer included Ford Co-Pilot360, a collection of driver-assist and collision-avoidance systems such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Explorer also had automatic high-beam headlights.

Explorer models with Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. Additional safety systems included a post-collision braking system and MyKey programmable vehicle functions, aiding parents of teenage drivers.

The Explorer's safety systems generally worked well, providing refined and accurate operation. The steering wheel’s sensitivity to the driver’s hands could be a minor annoyance, and the adaptive cruise control occasionally over-braked, but overall, the systems were effective.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights.

The Black Label added Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, which featured adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors, as well as a semi-autonomous parking assist system.

During our test, the rain-sensing wipers and adaptive cruise control were particularly useful. The Nautilus’s safety tech performed effectively without being overly intrusive, adjusting well to various driving conditions.

The NHTSA awarded the Nautilus a five-star overall rating, with only the rollover resistance rating earning four stars. The IIHS had not yet assessed the Nautilus for safety.