2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in the Black Label trim with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels, was a visually appealing SUV. Its design was well-balanced, avoiding any awkwardness while maintaining a distinctive character. Lincoln's attention to detail ensured the Nautilus stood out without being overly flashy. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence added a touch of elegance, welcoming drivers with a sophisticated ambiance. Inside, the Black Label model offered a choice between the Chalet and the new-for-2022 Flight design themes, each providing a luxurious feel with premium leather upholstery. However, some elements, like the center console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces, detracted slightly from the overall opulence.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 featured subtle styling updates, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more aerodynamic rear bumper design. The new wheel designs and colors, along with a light-up rear VW logo, added a modern touch. While the ID.4 was unmistakably an EV, it lacked the traditional SUV profile, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. Despite this, the ID.4's design was in line with other electric vehicles, offering a sleek and contemporary appearance. The interior carried over the best qualities from VW's gasoline models, with a minimalist design and a sense of quality, even in the base ID.4 Standard model.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered two engine options. The standard and Reserve models came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission were standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The Black Label trim featured a more powerful twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, requiring all-wheel drive. The Nautilus provided Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, each adjusting powertrain behavior and steering effort. During a road trip from Los Angeles to Scottsdale, the Nautilus proved to be a comfortable and quiet companion, with a fuel economy of 25 mpg over 871.1 miles.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a choice between a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models and an 82-kWh pack for the Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus models. The single-motor rear-wheel-drive models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive models increased output to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The ID.4's regenerative braking system allowed for energy recovery, but VW opted for a more traditional driving experience rather than one-pedal driving. The ID.4 excelled in comfort and refinement, though it allowed for some body roll on twisty roads.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label offered a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated steering wheel. The optional 22-way power front seats provided exceptional comfort, even on long drives. However, the rear seating was somewhat cramped for a midsize SUV, with limited legroom. The Nautilus provided 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 68.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. Practical storage space was adequate, though some areas were hard to access.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 boasted more interior space than other affordable EVs, with ample front and rear legroom and headroom. It offered 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded. The ID.4 also provided towing capability, with a capacity of 2,200 pounds for rear-wheel-drive models and 2,700 pounds for all-wheel-drive models. VW made small interior changes for 2023, including a conventional lid for the center console and improved phone storage. Three-zone climate control and heated rear seats were also available.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. This system offered over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Black Label model included connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The intuitive user interface and natural voice recognition made the system user-friendly, while the Revel speakers delivered excellent sound quality. The Phone as a Key feature allowed drivers to use their smartphone as a digital key.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard. The user interface included sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition, though the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were less intuitive. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation assistance, though it was easy to overlook during normal driving.

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 trim 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 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests. The 2022 model, similar to the 2023 version, earned the IIHS' Top Safety Pick+ rating. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. For 2023, the ID.4 added Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.