2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus presented a sophisticated and streamlined exterior, available in Premiere, Reserve, or Black Label trims. Its design featured a new grille with LED lighting that extended through it, illuminating the Lincoln star logo, creating a stunning visual effect. The rear mirrored this horizontal aesthetic with a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports. The interior was equally impressive, highlighted by a full-width screen that served as the crown jewel. The cabin boasted high-quality materials, including open-pore wood and fine leather, complemented by ambient lighting. Despite the traditional piano key shifter style, the overall interior design was luxurious and immersive.

In contrast, the 2024 Land Rover Defender combined a classic boxy profile with modern features like angular headlights, aligning it with other Land Rover models. The interior was rugged and adventure-ready, with more in common with a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, yet it offered soft-touch materials for added comfort. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130, each with various trims. Our test vehicle, the Defender 110 S, featured the County visual package with vintage graphics and white wheels, emphasizing its throwback appeal. The interior was practical, with rubberized floors and numerous cargo compartments, making it suitable for both urban and off-road adventures.

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. This setup provided smooth power delivery and unobtrusive shifts. For an additional $1,500, buyers could opt for a hybrid setup, boosting output to 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA estimated 30 mpg in combined driving. The hybrid also offered a range of over 600 miles. All Nautilus models featured all-wheel drive and five drive modes, with the adaptive suspension enhancing the driving experience in various conditions.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered multiple powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, delivering 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Defender also offered two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options, with the P500 making 493 hp and the P525 delivering 518 hp. All engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system, making it a formidable choice for rugged terrains.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus offered power-adjustable, heated, and cooled front seats across all trims, with the Black Label model featuring Lincoln's 24-way Perfect Position front seats, renowned for their comfort. The rear seats provided 43 inches of legroom, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The Lincoln Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images to create different moods, enhancing relaxation. Cargo space was ample, with 36 cubic feet behind the second row and 71 cubic feet with seats folded down in the Premiere trim. The Nautilus was available only with seating for five, prioritizing cargo space over additional seating.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender balanced luxury and functionality, with soft-touch materials and practical features like grip handles and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied from five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 110 offered an optional third row, while the Defender 130 provided three seats in the third row, though space was limited. Cargo capacity varied by model, with the Defender 130 offering up to 76.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Defender 110 provided 78.8 cubic feet in the two-row version, while the two-door Defender 90 offered up to 58.3 cubic feet with rear seats folded.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured a massive 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. The inclusion of Google Maps and Alexa Built-in enhanced voice controls, while wireless charging and USB ports were standard. However, the touchscreen HVAC controls and unlabelled steering wheel controls were potential distractions.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen, offering a straightforward and utilitarian setup. The screen included navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The layout was simple and functional, with home buttons for easy navigation, catering to those who preferred a less overwhelming interface.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus was equipped with the Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite of ADAS features, including lane-keeping assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and emergency braking. The Blue Cruise 1.2 technology was included on all trims, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. The 2023 Nautilus received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the 2024 model had not yet been rated.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a comprehensive list of standard driver assistance features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. However, the lane-departure and lane-keeping assist were noted to be overly sensitive. As of this writing, the 2024 Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.