2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in its Black Label trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels, was an attractive SUV. Its styling was balanced and detailed, giving it plenty of character without appearing plain. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence greeted drivers, adding a touch of elegance. Inside, the Black Label model offered a choice between the Chalet and Flight design themes, with our test vehicle featuring light gray premium leather upholstery. The Black Label trim included nearly every available feature, such as a simulated suede headliner and luxury floor mats, though some chrome-plated plastic pieces looked a bit cheap.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, redesigned for the model year, maintained Jeep's traditional design elements while offering a fresh look. It was a two-row version of the previous year's Grand Cherokee L, with a powertrain and trim-level lineup that mirrored its larger sibling. Available in trims ranging from Laredo to Summit Reserve, the Grand Cherokee's prices ranged from $37,390 to $63,365, excluding a $1,795 destination charge. The SUV's styling drew inspiration from the 1963 Wagoneer, featuring a forward-leaning grille, lowered beltline, and tapered rear roof pillars. Inside, the Grand Cherokee offered a range of materials and finishes, from basic cloth in the Laredo to premium quilted leather in the Summit Reserve.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered two engine options. The standard and Reserve trims came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive as an option. The Black Label trim featured a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, requiring all-wheel drive. The Nautilus had Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension adjusting accordingly. The twin-turbo V6 had an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg combined, and during a long road trip, it averaged 25 mpg.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive and came with either a V6 or V8 engine. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with a tow rating of 6,200 pounds. The available 5.7-liter V8 engine generated 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increasing the tow rating to 7,200 pounds. Three 4WD systems were available: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each offering varying levels of off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee's fuel economy ranged from 17 mpg combined with the V8 to 21 mpg with the V6. The Trailhawk trim, designed for serious off-roading, featured Quadra-Drive II, an electronic locking rear differential, and a Quadra-Lift air suspension.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label featured smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with an optional 22-way power adjustment and massage functions. Rear passengers had heated seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. The Nautilus offered 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 68.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided comfort for the driver and front passenger, with higher trims offering heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and front seat massagers. Visibility was improved, and the available panoramic sunroof added an airy feel. Rear-seat room was tight for adults, and the Grand Cherokee L offered more legroom. The two-row Grand Cherokee had 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 70.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

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, a Wi-Fi 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 offered physical stereo and climate controls, with a natural voice recognition system.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, offering a head-up display, Night Vision system, camera-based rearview mirror, and multiple touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, standard on all trims, featured an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The Grand Cherokee also offered a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV. The optional front passenger interactive display allowed the front-seat occupant to assist the driver and access entertainment options.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, which included 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 adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured an extensive collection of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and a safety cage composed of aluminum and high-strength steel. The ADAS package included intersection collision assist and Active Driving Assist, which provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance. A hands-free version of Active Driving Assist was expected to be available in 2022. The new Grand Cherokee's crash-test performance remained to be seen, but its safety features were impressive.