2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Audi Q5

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, and the Black Label model offered a choice between the Chalet and Flight design themes. The Chalet design featured light gray premium leather upholstery, while the Flight theme introduced 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.

In contrast, the 2023 Audi Q5 combined subtle curves with angular accents, resulting in a classy yet sporty appearance. It was available in two body styles: the regular Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker silhouette. The Sportback's spoiler-like element above the taillights provided a more defined transition from hatch to tail section. Inside, the Q5 had a refined and simple layout, though its age was beginning to show. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen atop the dash and high-quality materials contributed to a solid, German-built feel.

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 hp and 380 lb-ft 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 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 201 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque and was the only engine available for the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI was a plug-in hybrid powertrain producing 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 23 miles of electric-only range. All Q5s came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The 45 TFSI engine had a noticeable delay in power delivery, making initial acceleration feel sluggish. However, handling was sporty, with precise steering and a good balance between compliance and cornering.

Inside the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label, occupants enjoyed 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 seats folded down.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since 2018 but still felt modern. The infotainment touchscreen was placed atop the dash, with traditional dials and buttons for climate controls. Visibility was good, with a narrow front roof pillar and better-than-average rear visibility. The front seats provided ample space for taller passengers, and the rear seats accommodated six-footers comfortably. Storage options included a wireless phone charger, heated and cooled cupholders, and accommodating door pockets. The Q5 offered 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, slightly reduced to 24.7 cubic feet in the Sportback model.

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 over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, 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, with physical stereo and climate controls and a natural voice recognition system. The Phone as a Key feature allowed the smartphone to unlock and start the Nautilus.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with sharp graphics and quick responses, though it took a while to boot up and activate Apple CarPlay. Both CarPlay and Android Auto were available wirelessly. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Audi Connect Care service allowed remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. Mid-range trims featured a customizable digital instrument panel, providing extensive information when needed.

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 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 received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not assessed the Nautilus for safety.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side protection, with four stars in rollover tests. The IIHS awarded the Q5 its highest score of "Good" in all crashworthiness tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors. Higher trims added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, traffic jam assist, matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, a semi-automated parking system, and a traffic sign reader.