Buick Envision vs Lincoln Nautilus

The 2021 Buick Envision had undergone a significant redesign after two consecutive years of facelifts. This two-row compact crossover, available only in China and North America, positioned itself between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave in Buick’s lineup. The 2021 Envision was lower and wider than its predecessor, boasting a more planted appearance on the street. Its premium crossover styling was more sculpted than its cousin, the Cadillac XT4, but not as sleek as the Acura RDX. The Envision offered three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—with the Avenir trim making its debut in 2021, featuring upgraded exterior elements and a unique interior trim pattern.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in the Black Label trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels, was an attractive SUV with balanced and detailed styling. The Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence greeted drivers after dark, and the Black Label model offered Chalet or Flight design themes. The Chalet design featured light gray premium leather upholstery, while Flight offered a classy Luggage Tan color. The Black Label trim included nearly every available feature, along with a simulated suede headliner and luxury floor mats, creating a decadent interior. However, some chrome-plated plastic pieces in the center console design looked a bit cheap.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This was a downgrade from the previous model's 252 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Despite shedding 200 to 300 pounds, the Envision's performance was more about comfortable cruising than sporty driving. The FWD models achieved an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined, while AWD versions managed 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. The Envision's drive mode selector included a Sport mode, but the engine and road noise were noticeable.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque in the standard and Reserve trims, with FWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. The Black Label trim featured a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine, producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, requiring AWD. The Nautilus had Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension adjusting accordingly. The twin-turbo V6 achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg combined, with a maximum range of 450 miles. The Nautilus excelled in long-distance comfort, with features like massaging and heated seats, and performed well on mountain roads in Sport mode, though the steering lacked engagement.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign did not improve cabin functionality. Despite a longer wheelbase, it had less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row, and rear-seat passengers lost two inches of legroom and nearly six inches of hip room. Cargo capacity was also reduced, with 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the back seat down. The driver-centric cockpit limited the front passenger's access to controls, and forward visibility was poor. However, the Envision offered standard heated front seats, eight-way power-adjustable seats, and a heated steering wheel.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label featured smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments and massage programs. Rear passengers had heated seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight. Practical storage space was adequate but not easily accessible. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 68.8 cubic feet with the back seat down.

The 2021 Buick Envision's tech highlight was the standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, which was responsive and displayed necessary functionalities clearly. The driver could use an available 8.0-inch driver information display for quicker access to information. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included navigation, driver massage, HD Radio, a surround-view camera, HUD, a rearview camera mirror, and wireless device charging.

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 had an intuitive interface, physical stereo and climate controls, and a natural voice recognition system.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included Buckle to Drive, forward-collision alert, front and rear park assist, lane change alert with blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, rear-seat alert, automatic emergency braking, and teen-driver monitoring. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on Avenir models.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, which included 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 Lincoln 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 NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance.