2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid 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, and the Black Label model offered Chalet or Flight design themes. The Chalet design featured light gray premium leather upholstery, while Flight showcased 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 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, featured a mid-trim Limited with the S Appearance Package. This package added body-colored door handles and exterior mirrors, a gloss black grille surround, and black accents, topped off with 18-inch wheels. The split grille was surrounded by standard LED headlamps, and the LED tail lamps spanned the entire rear width. While minivans lacked the cool cachet of SUVs, they were more practical, offering sliding doors and more cargo space. The Limited’s interior was dark but sophisticated, with Nappa leather seats and a few sweeping lines on the dash. However, the proximity of the HVAC and audio knobs to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion.

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, 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. Over 871.1 miles, it averaged 25 mpg. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, with a quiet, comfortable ride and a 19-speaker Revel audio system.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, offering 32 miles of all-electric range, 520 miles of total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined fuel economy. In testing, it achieved 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range, exceeding EPA estimates. Charging the battery took two hours on a Level 2 home charger, with a predicted 14-hour charge time on a standard outlet. The Pacifica defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid, which was efficient in city driving but less so on the highway. The Pacifica Hybrid had 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, with a smooth continuously variable automatic transmission. However, it was front-wheel drive only and lacked a spare tire and towing package.

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 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 seat folded down.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered the FamCam interior camera, heated and cooled front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The driver’s seat was comfortable and adjustable, with a soft center armrest. Second-row seats were comfortable but low, and the center pathway allowed easy access to the spacious third row. The Pacifica Hybrid had 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 87.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down, and 140.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. However, it lacked the Stow ‘n Go seats, built-in vacuum cleaner, and heated second-row seats available in the standard Pacifica.

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 had an intuitive user interface, 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 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and the ability to connect two phones via Bluetooth. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, with games and Amazon Fire TV streaming. Devices could be charged through USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging.

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

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid included blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking assist, and adaptive cruise control. Parallel parking assist and front and rear parking assist were available as options. The 2022 Pacifica Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, and the IIHS gave it Good marks except for Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.