2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated in Black Onyx, was a striking vehicle with its blacked-out exterior and minimal chrome. However, it quickly accumulated dust, making it look old and shabby. Despite its modern touches like the signature spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, the GX's design felt dated, reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002. Inside, the cabin quality was top-notch, with smooth, refined materials and a quiet atmosphere, save for the V8 engine's faint roar. The GX was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210, and the Black Line Special Edition starting at $60,535.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in the Black Label trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels, was an attractive SUV with balanced styling and plenty of character. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence added a touch of elegance. Inside, the Black Label model offered a choice between Chalet and Flight design themes, with our test vehicle featuring light gray premium leather upholstery. The Black Label trim included nearly every available feature, creating a luxurious environment, though some chrome-plated plastic pieces looked a bit cheap. The Nautilus started at $44,225, with the Black Label beginning at $66,825, and our test vehicle priced at $68,325 with the Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with its 4.6-liter V8 engine, produced 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds. Despite its 5,126-pound curb weight, the GX managed a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, its fuel economy was a mere 16 mpg in combined driving, which improved slightly to 16.8 mpg during testing. The GX's Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) enhanced its ride quality, making it stable and secure. The Off-Road Package, available with the Luxury trim, added features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and skid plates, making the GX capable off-road. However, the slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal detracted from the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 with 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, available on the Black Label and Reserve trims. The V6, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD, provided a smooth and powerful driving experience. The Nautilus featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with Normal mode offering the best balance. During a road trip from Los Angeles to Scottsdale, the Nautilus averaged 25 mpg, with a maximum range of 450 miles on the highway. The adaptive suspension and 21-inch wheels provided impressive grip, though the steering lacked engagement. Despite this, the Nautilus was quiet, comfortable, and enjoyable to drive, with the twin-turbo V6 delivering excellent performance.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear visibility. Its tall, narrow, and short design made it maneuverable in various settings, though the slow steering required extra effort. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, while the rear seats were heated. However, the rear door openings were narrow, making entry difficult. The third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space, with only 11.6 cubic feet available behind it. Folding the third row increased cargo space to 46.7 cubic feet, and with the second row folded, it offered 64.7 cubic feet. The side-swinging tailgate further complicated loading.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label featured smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet cabin. The front seats were heated, ventilated, and offered 22-way power adjustments with massage functions. The rear seats were also heated, but legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Practical storage was adequate, though some compartments were hard to access. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 68.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The Nautilus provided a comfortable and luxurious environment, though it was unexpectedly cramped in the rear.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The system was easy to use, with a dual-screen view and excellent voice recognition. However, the stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them hard to use. The GX also offered a CD player, a smartwatch-compatible Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. The available 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was not included in the test vehicle. Standard Intuitive Parking Assist and optional surround-view and terrain-view cameras added to the GX's technology offerings.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. Sync 4 included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, a WiFi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The Black Label trim added connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system was intuitive and user-friendly, with physical stereo and climate controls. The natural voice recognition worked well, and the Revel speakers provided excellent sound quality. The Nautilus also offered Phone as a Key, turning your smartphone into a digital key.

The 2022 Lexus GX, with its older design, lacked crash-test ratings. However, it included Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. The GX lacked some modern safety technologies found in competitors, but this absence contributed to a favorable driving experience without intrusive aids.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Black Label trim added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors. The Nautilus also had a semi-autonomous parking assist system and post-collision braking. The driving assistance systems were effective and non-intrusive. The NHTSA awarded the Nautilus a five-star overall rating, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not assessed the Nautilus.