2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L 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 luxurious interior themes like Chalet and Flight, featuring premium leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner. However, some chrome-plated plastic pieces and the center console design looked a bit cheap.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L maintained the classic style of its predecessors while adding over a foot in length. Our Hydro Blue test model, equipped with the High Altitude package, featured blacked-out elements and dark gray 21-inch wheels, giving it a bold appearance. The interior of upper trims was impressive, with high-quality materials and thoughtful design elements like a polished black dash and aluminum speaker grilles. However, some hard plastics and rougher-grained leather detracted from the overall luxury 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 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, requiring all-wheel drive. The Nautilus had Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with Normal mode providing the best balance. The twin-turbo V6 achieved an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined, and during a long road trip, it averaged 25 mpg.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, but it was underwhelming for such a heavy SUV. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was a better choice, especially for towing, with a maximum rating of 7,200 pounds. The V6 achieved an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined, while the V8's rating was 17 mpg combined. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis provided confident handling, especially with the air suspension, and three optional four-wheel-drive systems offered varying levels of off-road capability.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label featured smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control. The front seats were heated, ventilated, and optionally offered 22-way power adjustments with massage functions. However, rear legroom was tight for a midsize SUV, and practical storage space was limited. The cargo area provided 37.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 68.8 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's extended length provided ample legroom for second-row passengers, with standard captain's chairs and an optional 60/40 bench seat. The third row was best suited for children. The driver enjoyed good visibility, but the infotainment system had legibility issues. Cargo space was generous, with 17 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen running Sync 4 software. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system was intuitive and offered physical controls for stereo and climate settings. Phone as a Key technology allowed the use of a smartphone as a digital key.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came with an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim, running Uconnect 5. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the higher trims offered a McIntosh sound system. Night vision and Active Driving Assist were available on upper trims, and the passenger screen allowed independent control of navigation and entertainment. The Grand Cherokee L's tech features were extensive and user-friendly.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Black Label added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but had not been assessed by the IIHS.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It included standard safety features like forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included front cross-traffic braking and night vision.