2022 Jeep Wrangler 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 you, and the Black Label model's interior offered a Chalet or new-for-2022 Flight design theme. The Chalet design featured light gray premium leather upholstery, while the Flight design boasted a classy Luggage Tan color. 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 Wrangler required buyers to choose between a classic two-door or a more practical four-door model. Engine options included a turbocharged four-cylinder, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, or plug-in hybrid powertrain, with the turbo-four and V6 engines coming standard with a six-speed manual transmission. The Wrangler came in four core trim levels: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions available. Our test vehicle was the new High Tide special edition, based on the four-door Sport S trim, featuring LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, and a Gorilla Glass windshield upgrade. The High Tide also included the Xtreme Recon package, adding a 1.5-inch suspension lift, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, and 35-inch BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque in its standard and Reserve trims. Front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission were standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. The Black Label trim included a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, requiring AWD. Driving modes included Comfort, Normal, and Sport, which adjusted powertrain behavior, steering effort, and adaptive suspension. The twin-turbo V6 had an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg in combined driving, with a maximum range of 450 miles. Over 871.1 miles, the SUV averaged 25 mpg. The Nautilus proved to be a quiet, comfortable road-tripper with a 19-speaker Revel audio system and a panoramic sunroof for stargazing.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option, and our test vehicle had the optional Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. The EPA rated the Wrangler Unlimited with the eTorque V6 at 21 mpg in combined driving, but the Xtreme Recon Package modifications reduced this to an average of 16.8 mpg over 435 miles. The Wrangler's driving experience was unique and immersive, with a rough-and-tumble feel and a seemingly unquenchable thirst for fuel. It was designed for off-road adventures, offering a sense of freedom and excitement.

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 outboard 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 back seat folded down.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide's raised suspension made entry and exit difficult, especially for shorter individuals. The manual height adjuster for the driver's seat required regular re-adjustment. The Wrangler's seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery and a driving position close to the steering wheel, dashboard, and windshield. Visibility was mixed, with some areas requiring leaning forward to see traffic lights. Rear-seat passengers faced entry and exit difficulties but had agreeable accommodations once inside. The Wrangler offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat 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 offered over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect connected services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. Our Black Label test vehicle included connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel premium audio system. The system was intuitive, with physical stereo and climate controls and a natural voice recognition system. Phone as a Key technology allowed the smartphone to unlock and start the Nautilus.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on Sport S trim, had a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The optional Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, but our test vehicle did not have these features. The Wrangler High Tide included remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, and single-zone automatic climate control with a new air filtration system. The Cold Weather Group added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

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 added Lincoln 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 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.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and Marginal ratings from the IIHS for small overlap crash-test protection and side-impact test. Headlight performance was rated Poor for standard lights and Marginal for LED upgrades.