2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Acura MDX

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 offered Chalet or 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, such as a simulated suede headliner and luxury floor mats, creating a decadent interior. However, the center console design and some chrome-plated plastic pieces looked a bit cheap.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S Advance trim, with its Apex Blue Pearl paint and Orchid interior, set high expectations for quality and luxury. The fourth-generation MDX was the first Acura SUV to wear the Type S badge, featuring subtle yet sporty design elements like chicane-design LED lights, 21-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. Inside, the Type S offered perforated Milano leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package. The Type S Advance added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard. Despite its appealing design, some angles made the MDX look like it had a massive dent, and the gloss black plastic on the dashboard made controls hard to find. The electronic transmission switchgear was also confusing.

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 generating 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, requiring all-wheel drive. The Nautilus had Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behavior and steering effort. The twin-turbo V6 had an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg combined, with a maximum range of 450 miles. During a road trip, the Nautilus averaged 25 mpg and proved to be a quiet, comfortable, and enjoyable vehicle, despite its unengaging steering.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S stood out with its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The MDX Type S had Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, along with an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance. Despite its performance enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brake pedal modulation was poor. The MDX Type S averaged 16.9 mpg, falling short of its EPA rating. The turbocharged V6 offered quick acceleration but guzzled fuel. The suspension transmitted bumps harshly, and the vehicle lacked the cohesion needed for a performance model.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label featured smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive. The 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. The rear seats were heated, but legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Storage space was adequate but not easily accessible. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 68.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seats, with the second row configurable for two or three seating positions. The Type S Advance trim included 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, wrapped in quilted leather. The second-row seat was comfortable but lacked legroom in its rearmost position. The third row was best for children. The cabin's design prioritized style over storage space, with limited storage options. The power liftgate revealed a spacious cargo area with a sizable underfloor storage bin, offering 18.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

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, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The Black Label trim 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 the smartphone to unlock and start the Nautilus.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display, operated via a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the center console. The TTI design was not user-friendly, robbing the center console of storage space and partially blocking the wireless charging pad. The MDX included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In. The infotainment system had SiriusXM satellite radio, native navigation, and AcuraLink connected services with a complimentary three-year subscription. The top-shelf Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers provided excellent sound quality. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display, but the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs.

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, with 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 2023 Acura MDX included Acura Watch, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and Traffic Jam Assist. It also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.