2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the vehicle stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint color and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, created a sophisticated atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, with the SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle featuring numerous upgrades that brought its MSRP to $98,420. Notable design elements included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights, contributing to its excellent aerodynamics.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus debuted with a more sophisticated and streamlined exterior design, signaling a potential new direction for Lincoln. The grille, reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz's bifurcated design, featured LED lighting that extended through it, illuminating the Lincoln star logo. The rear design mirrored this horizontal aesthetic with a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports. The interior was the highlight, with a full-width screen as the centerpiece. The materials used were of excellent quality, with polished metal accents, ambient lighting, and textures like open-pore wood and fine leather. The Jet Appearance Package, available for an additional $3,000, offered two-tone paint, black exterior trim, and unique interior elements, enhancing the Nautilus's appeal.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and comfort with driver-focused engagement, though it only partially succeeded. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in the SE Dynamic model. The SE P360 offered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was standard in the Autobiography P440e, providing 434 hp and 406 lb-ft with an estimated 51 miles of electric driving range. A 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine was available for early-build 2023 models but was later discontinued. The Range Rover Sport's 395-hp inline-six enabled it to accelerate to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, with a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. It achieved an average of 22.3 mpg on the evaluation route, with a maximum of 25.1 mpg on the highway. The SUV's new architecture increased torsional stiffness by 35%, and its adaptive damping air suspension adjusted up to 500 times per second. However, it struggled to match the driving dynamics of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled, with features like Terrain Response, All Terrain Progress Control, and impressive ground clearance and wading depth.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid setup, available for an additional $1,500, offered 310 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque, and an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in combined driving. The gas-only engine achieved 24 mpg combined. The hybrid's range exceeded 600 miles, though the Lexus RX hybrid offered better fuel economy. All Nautilus models featured all-wheel drive and five drive modes, with the adaptive suspension enhancing performance. The hybrid's continuously variable transmission (CVT) avoided typical drawbacks, providing a smooth driving experience. While not a driver's car, the Nautilus could satisfy occasional performance desires.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall, airy feel with a low dashboard, upright windshield angle, and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, though improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with narrow door openings and hard front seatback panels. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Storage within the cabin was decent, with a deep bin under the center armrest and a second bin under the sliding cupholder tray.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured power-adjustable, heated, and cooled front seats across all trims, with the Black Label model offering 24-way Perfect Position seats with massage and extended heating. The rear seats provided 43 inches of legroom, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images for relaxation. Cargo space measured 36 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 71 cubic feet with the seats folded in the Premiere trim. The Nautilus was available only with seating for five, prioritizing cargo space over a third row.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use. The SUV's native digital assistant struggled with basic tasks, such as finding nearby locations. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system. A wireless smartphone charging pad was located under the infotainment screen.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 48-inch curved display, with a digital dash for the driver and customizable sections for various information. An 11.1-inch touchscreen handled basic infotainment duties, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. HVAC controls were permanent icons, but adjusting vents required navigating menus. Unlabelled steering wheel controls were another distraction. The Nautilus included Google Maps, Alexa Built-in, gaming, web browsing, and over-the-air updates. Wireless charging and USB-A and -C charge ports were standard.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist allowed the SUV to park itself using a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were less responsive and smooth than expected, particularly on freeway curves.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came with the Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite of ADAS features, including lane-keeping assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and emergency braking. Blue Cruise 1.2 technology was available, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. The NHTSA rated the 2023 Nautilus with five stars for frontal and side crash protection and four stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded the 2024 Nautilus a "Good" rating in crashworthiness.