2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in the Black Label trim with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels, had a distinctive allure. Lincoln’s designers added enough detailing to ensure the Nautilus had an engaging character without looking awkward or excessively showy. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence warmly greeted drivers, adding a touch of sophistication upon approach. Stepping inside the Black Label model offered a choice between the Chalet and the new-for-2022 Flight interior themes. The test vehicle featured the Chalet design with light gray premium leather upholstery, exuding a sense of luxury. The Flight theme came in Luggage Tan, adding to the classy feel.

Interior-wise, the Black Label trim offered everything a Nautilus could boast, including a simulated suede headliner and luxury floor mats. However, the overall opulence was somewhat marred by the center console design and some chrome-plated plastic components that seemed out of place. The starting MSRP was $44,225, including the destination charge, and it escalated to $66,825 for the fully loaded Black Label version. The test vehicle, with Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats and Active Motion massage, amounted to $68,325, providing unparalleled comfort on long drives.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered a versatile range of six trims, from the budget-friendly RAV4 LE to the ventilated-seat-equipped RAV4 Limited. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims retained the distinctive two-part face design. The Adventure trim featured a grille with a centered Toyota badge, blacked-out wheels, a faux skid plate, and prominent black cladding around the wheel arches, presenting a rugged appearance. Despite these features, it was more of a stylistic statement than a functional off-roader.

Inside, the Adventure trim's orange accents on the seats and interior provided a sporty touch. The frameless rearview mirror added a hint of premium feel amidst an otherwise basic interior. Practical shoppers might have leaned towards the Toyota Venza for a more car-like experience. Interior materials ranged from fabric seats in the LE and XLE trims to synthetic leather (SofTex) in the XLE Premium, with varied adjustability. Heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and optional heated rear seats and steering wheel completed the offer, elevating its usability in different weather conditions.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered two engine choices. The standard and Reserve trims had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, with FWD standard and optional AWD. The Black Label trim boasted a more powerful twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, exclusively paired with AWD.

With Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes adjusting the powertrain behavior and steering effort, the adaptive suspension added further refinement. Comfort mode, however, made the ride overly soft, while Sport mode overly stiffened the steering. Normal mode provided a well-balanced experience. With an 18-gallon fuel tank, the twin-turbo V6 had an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined and achieved 25 mpg on the highway. On an 871.1-mile journey, it averaged 25 mpg, making it a comfortable and efficient long-distance traveler. The Santa Monica Mountains drive revealed its unexpectedly athletic side, though the steering lacked engagement despite the capable twin-turbo V6 and adaptive suspension.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4’s standard engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While it was preferred over the CVT found in competitors like the Honda CR-V, its acceleration wasn’t particularly thrilling, leaning more towards adequate than exciting. It wasn’t the quietest engine but was a step up from the Subaru Forester’s boxer engine.

The RAV4 Adventure trim came with 19-inch all-season tires, MacPherson independent front suspension, and multi-link rear suspension, which were shared with other RAV4 trims. For more serious off-roading, the TRD Off-Road trim had 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires, a TRD-tuned suspension, and unique components like shocks and jounce bumpers.

The interior of the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label was inviting, featuring supple leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet ride due to Active Noise Control and acoustic glass. Heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel were part of the luxurious experience. The optional 22-way power front seats with multiple massage programs stood out for their exceptional comfort.

However, the rear seats, despite their heating and reclining features, were slightly cramped for a midsize SUV, offering limited legroom. The storage space was decent but not exceptional, with some storage areas hard to access. The cargo area provided 37.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 68.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, sufficient for most needs.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, seating five, offered 37.7 inches of front headroom and 39.5 inches in the rear, with the moonroof. Front legroom was 41 inches, but the rear seats had 37.8 inches, making it less spacious than the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. The narrower rear seats might have been less comfortable for adult passengers.

Front-row storage was practical, with a shelf running the length of the glove compartment, generous door pockets, and side-by-side cupholders. The lever-style gear shifter in the center added a rugged feel. The cargo capacity was competitive, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, placing it above some rivals like the Mazda CX-5.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured modern tech with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Sync 4. Sync 4 facilitated over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Black Label trim included connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel premium audio system. The infotainment’s user interface was intuitive, with physical controls for stereo and climate functions. Phone as a Key was another notable tech feature, transforming a smartphone into a digital key.

For 2023, the Toyota RAV4 received an upgraded infotainment system, catching up with market expectations. Standard features included an 8.0-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice command. Higher trims got a 10.5-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. A 7-inch driver information display came standard, with the Limited trim optionally offering a 12.3-inch display. These upgrades significantly improved the RAV4's technological appeal.

Every 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, featuring forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Black Label added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera system, and semi-autonomous parking assist. The Nautilus achieved a five-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA, though it had not been assessed by IIHS.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 lineup featured standard safety systems like lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Higher trims included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The RAV4 was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, enhancing driver-assistance features. It earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS, reflecting its high safety standards.