2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in its Black Label trim, presented an attractive and well-balanced design. Its 21-inch machined-finish wheels added to its appeal, while the detailing ensured the SUV had character without appearing plain. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence provided a welcoming touch. 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 elements like the center console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared less luxurious. The Nautilus was priced starting at $44,225, with the Black Label model beginning at $66,825. Our test vehicle, equipped with Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats, was priced at $68,325, proving perfect for long drives.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, with a design that announced wealth and taste. Its styling referenced the larger Range Rover's profile, scaled into a sporty package with a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a distinctive trapezoidal roof. The Velar's design included subtle adjustments, such as a sloping roof and wide shoulder crease, creating a streamlined yet blocky appearance. Special details like taillight lenses with depth illusions and air ducts reminiscent of Bugatti's NACA ducts added to its allure. The R-Dynamic trim introduced bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Our test car, the base Velar S trim, featured the optional Black Exterior Pack and 20-inch black wheels, creating a sharp contrast against the Fuji White paint. Inside, the all-black cabin was less opulent than previous models, with lower-grade leather and synthetic materials, but still maintained high-quality materials and exemplary fit and finish.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The standard models came with front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel drive was optional. The Black Label trim required all-wheel drive and featured the more powerful V6 engine. The Nautilus provided Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behavior, steering effort, and adaptive suspension. During a road trip from Los Angeles to Scottsdale, the Nautilus proved comfortable and cozy, with features like massaging and heated seats enhancing the experience. The twin-turbo V6 achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg in combined driving, with a maximum range of 450 miles. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, offering a quiet and comfortable ride with impressive grip from its 21-inch wheels.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in improved handling and steering compared to previous Land Rover models. The Velar's lower center of gravity and lighter weight contributed to its cornering and braking capabilities. The optional air suspension with adaptive dampers provided a plush ride and could raise the body for increased clearance. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's Terrain Response system offered six driving modes, but its street-focused design limited off-road capabilities. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system delivered 340 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, with a higher output version available. This powertrain offered high performance while reducing emissions, though a V8 option was no longer available.

Inside the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label, occupants found smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated steering wheel. The optional 22-way power front seats provided exceptional comfort, even on long journeys. Rear passengers enjoyed heated outboard seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Storage space was adequate, with a hands-free power liftgate revealing 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 68.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar offered a tighter interior compared to midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to its design. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 49 cubic feet when folded. The Velar's design sacrifices practicality for style, and it made a critical design error by lacking a discrete parking brake control. The new Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability, but the Velar's redesign of critical controls was frustrating.

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, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Black Label model included connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system was intuitive, with physical stereo and climate controls, and the Revel speakers provided excellent sound quality. The Phone as a Key feature allowed smartphones to unlock and start the Nautilus.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system simplified the layout and improved usability. It featured a voice assistant, air quality monitoring, and a heated windshield. The navigation system offered traffic detours and commuting directions, while the 4x4 app provided off-road measurements. The instrument panel could display full-width maps and reconfigure layouts, though the driving assist display was less detailed than competitors. Standard features included LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Black Label added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked U.S. crash-test ratings but scored well in the European NCAP. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.