2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Genesis GV80

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in its Black Label trim, was a striking SUV with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels. Its design was well-balanced, avoiding any awkwardness while maintaining a distinctive character. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence added a touch of elegance. Inside, the Black Label model offered a choice between the Chalet and Flight design themes, with our test vehicle featuring the Chalet's light gray premium leather upholstery. The interior was luxurious, with a simulated suede headliner and luxury floor mats, though some chrome-plated plastic pieces detracted from the overall opulence.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille, complemented by 22-inch alloy wheels on the Prestige trim. The rear echoed the quad lamp design with four-part taillamps above dual exhausts. The matte Brunswick Green paint added an elegant touch. Inside, the dark green quilted leather seats and a dash split by thin air vents, along with metal and matte wood trim, created a luxurious atmosphere. The center console featured three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes, while the two-spoke steering wheel added a unique touch. The 14.5-inch infotainment screen, though slightly awkwardly placed, was a minor annoyance in an otherwise spacious and luxurious interior.

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 in the Black Label trim. The V6 required all-wheel drive and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Nautilus featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension adjusting accordingly. During a road trip from Los Angeles to Scottsdale, the Nautilus provided a comfortable and quiet ride, averaging 25 mpg over 871.1 miles. The twin-turbo V6 delivered impressive performance, especially in Sport mode, though the steering lacked engagement.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came with all-wheel drive and a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, or a turbo 3.5-liter V6 producing 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The larger engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, powered our test vehicle. While not particularly quick, taking about five and a half seconds to reach sixty, the GV80 excelled at highway driving. Its electronically controlled suspension and active noise cancellation ensured a smooth and quiet ride, though it felt less nimble compared to its German rivals.

Inside the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label, occupants enjoyed smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments and massage programs. 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, expanding to 68.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, storage space was limited, with some compartments hard to access.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 boasted luxury features like heated and ventilated front and rear seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and an Ergo Motion driver’s seat. A third row was available, though legroom was limited. The GV80 featured Genesis puddle lamps, a proximity key, and a digital key. The tri-zone climate control and optional 21-speaker stereo system added to the comfort. With 34.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 84 cubic feet with the seats down, the GV80 offered ample utility. It also had a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. It offered over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 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 function as a digital key.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, the dial offered a "clicky" feel and handwriting detection. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly, along with wireless charging, USB ports, and outlets. The GV80 featured remote smart parking assist, allowing the car to park itself without the driver inside, a standout feature in tight parking situations.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Black Label added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not assessed the Nautilus for safety.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with advanced driver aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. It featured a video feed of the car’s blind spot in the digital gauge cluster and Highway Drive Assist, which provided hands-on/eyes-up driving aid on approved highways. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating for crashworthiness from the IIHS, though the headlights and LATCH system received Acceptable ratings.