2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Volvo XC90

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 in the center console looked a bit cheap.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution from Volvo's boxy past. Its purposeful yet understated design featured a stout front end, an assertive grille, and modern "Thor’s Hammer" headlights. The XC90's dimensions leaned toward rectilinear but were far from the toaster-like shapes of old Volvos. The test vehicle's Platinum Gray paint added richness and depth, while the interior boasted elegant design elements like a two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior design included wood deco inlays, contributing to a clean and beautiful look.

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 provided Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behavior and steering effort. The twin-turbo V6 achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg combined, with a maximum range of 450 miles on the highway. During a road trip, the Nautilus averaged 25 mpg and proved to be a quiet, comfortable, and enjoyable road-tripper.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 engine, featuring a supercharger, turbo, and mild-hybrid tech, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, with minimal fuel-economy benefits. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration, a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission, and excellent brakes. The XC90's fuel-saving auto stop-start technology was almost imperceptible, and the vehicle handled well in various driving conditions, including a New Hampshire snowstorm.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label featured smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control and acoustic glass. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments and massage programs. Rear passengers enjoyed heated seats and air conditioning vents, but 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 rear seat folded. Practical storage space was adequate but not exceptional.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was elegant but had limited cubby space for smaller items. The second row was comfortable and spacious, but adjusting the seats was challenging. The XC90 offered a standard second-row bench seat for seven-passenger seating, with an option for captain’s chairs. The third row was difficult to access and had limited space. The XC90 provided 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in position, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The XC90 drove like a smaller car, contributing to its appeal.

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 services, 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 unlock and start the Nautilus.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display ran Google OS, integrating Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant. The 12.3-inch driver information display also featured Google Maps. The natural-language recognition system worked well, and owners could issue commands via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were filed within the touchscreen interface, leading to some frustration. The minimalist design lacked physical buttons and redundant controls, requiring screen interaction for tasks like adjusting the heated steering wheel and driver’s seat position.

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 Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors. The Nautilus earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not assessed the Nautilus.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, earning a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS in 2022. The XC90's advanced driver safety tech included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which maintained distance from the car ahead and supported lane-keeping. These safety features were standard on the 2023 XC90, contributing to its reputation as one of the safest vehicles on the road.