2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Lexus NX

When the redesigned 2022 Lexus NX went on sale in December 2021, it was available in four model series: NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+. Depending on the model, trim levels included base, Premium, F Sport, and Luxury, with base prices ranging from $37,950 to $49,000, excluding the $1,075 destination charge. The NX 250 and turbocharged NX 350 were not electrified, while the NX 350h was a hybrid, and the NX 450h+ was a plug-in hybrid based on the Toyota Rav4 Prime. The review focused on the turbocharged NX 350 in F Sport and Luxury trims.

The NX's design was unmistakably Lexus, featuring a prominent spindle grille and refined styling details similar to the Lexus IS sports sedan. The new model was longer, wider, and taller, offering more passenger and cargo space. Most NX models had NuLuxe simulated leather, while the NX Luxury included real leather and open-pore wood trim. The F Sport trim distinguished itself with a unique mesh-pattern grille, body-color fender trim, 20-inch gloss black wheels, and black mirrors. Inside, it featured sport-bolstered seats, a black headliner, and unique instrumentation. The interior design was minimalist, with many functions integrated into the available 14-inch touchscreen, which could be confusing to use initially.

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 greeted drivers, and the Black Label model offered Chalet or new-for-2022 Flight design themes. The Chalet design featured light gray premium leather upholstery, while Flight had a classy Luggage Tan color. The Black Label trim included nearly every available feature, along with a simulated suede headliner and luxury floor mats, though some chrome-plated plastic pieces looked a bit cheap.

The Nautilus had a Manufacturer’s Retail Suggested Price (MSRP) of $44,225, including the $1,195 destination charge. The loaded Nautilus Black Label started at $66,825 with destination, and the Nautilus Reserve was priced at $50,630. The Black Label test vehicle had Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, bringing the price to $68,325. These seats were perfect for long drives, providing exceptional comfort.

Electrification was a key focus for the 2022 Lexus NX, with two electrified versions available. The NX 350h offered a combined output of 239 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in combined driving. The NX 450h+, with its high-capacity lithium-ion battery, was a 302-hp plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) delivering an estimated 36 miles of pure electric range before switching to gas-electric hybrid operation. The NX 350 had a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder gas engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD).

The NX 250 had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, with front-wheel drive (FWD) and an eight-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT). Both the NX 250 and NX 350 offered Normal, Sport, and Eco driving modes, while the NX 350 F Sport added Sport S, Sport+, and Custom modes, along with an adaptive variable sports suspension. The F Sport felt taut and lean on winding roads, while the NX 350 Luxury offered a softer driving character. Lexus estimated 25 mpg in combined driving for the NX 350, with observed fuel economy of 22.2 mpg for the F Sport and 25.5 mpg for the Luxury.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, with FWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard, and AWD as an option. The Nautilus Black Label included a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, requiring AWD. Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes were available, adjusting powertrain behavior, steering effort, and adaptive suspension.

The Nautilus had an 18-gallon fuel tank, with the twin-turbo V6 carrying an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg in combined driving (25 mpg on the highway). Over 871.1 miles, the SUV averaged 25 mpg. The Nautilus proved to be a comfortable and quiet road-tripper, with the 19-speaker Revel audio system providing excellent sound quality. In the Santa Monica Mountains, the twin-turbocharged V6 and eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, though the steering lacked engagement.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered more interior room for passengers and cargo, though it felt more intimate from the driver’s seat. The new dashboard design created a cozy feeling, and the NX was comfortable, especially with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, with rear air conditioning vents, heated cushions, and USB ports. The NX had a panoramic glass sunroof and a nature-inspired Thematic Ambient Illumination system with 14 themes. Cargo space increased by 14%, with 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label featured smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control and acoustic glass. Both front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The optional 22-way power front seats with massage programs were exceptionally comfortable. Rear passengers had heated seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Practical storage space was adequate, with a hands-free power liftgate revealing 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 68.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Lexus NX took a significant leap forward with its new Lexus Interface infotainment system, featuring large touchscreen displays, natural voice recognition, music streaming, and cloud-based features. A 9.8-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 14-inch screen as an option. Standard equipment included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and readiness for five connected service subscription plans. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system available. The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural commands, and a complimentary three-year trial subscription to Drive Connect service was included.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Sync 4 software. Sync 4 offered over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect connected services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The Black Label test vehicle included connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel premium audio system. The system had an intuitive user interface, physical stereo and climate controls, and natural voice recognition. Phone as a Key technology turned a smartphone into a digital key.

The 2022 Lexus NX included the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0) collection of technologies, featuring Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, Oncoming Pedestrian Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The Emergency Driving Stop System brought the NX to a stop if the driver was unresponsive. The NX also had blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, Safe Exit Assist, and additional features with Premium trim, such as rear pedestrian detection and an adaptive front lighting system. A Vision Package added a panoramic view monitoring system, front cross-traffic alert, and lane-change assistance.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus had 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 included Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, adding adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors. The Nautilus earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not assessed the Nautilus for safety.