GMC Yukon vs Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 GMC Yukon was a chrome lover's dream. Even the base SLE model featured enough shiny elements to give it a premium look. As one moved up to the Denali trim, the chrome accents became even more pronounced, with the front of the Denali almost entirely constructed of chrome. The massive, multi-dimensional grille resembled an industrial-sized cheese grater, giving the vehicle a unique and commanding presence. The 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels on our test vehicle, part of the optional Ultimate package, stood out against the dark Redwood Metallic paint. The off-road-oriented AT4 trim had its own distinct look, featuring a dark grille, skid plate, and horizontal red recovery hooks.

Inside, the Yukon offered a spacious and tastefully crafted cabin with standard seating for eight, or nine with the optional front bench seat on the SLE. The SLT and AT4 trims offered second-row captain's chairs, reducing passenger capacity to seven but easing access to the third row. Cloth seats were standard on the SLE, while all other trims featured perforated leather. The AT4 and Denali trims came with heated and cooled front seats. The Denali also offered four exclusive interior designs, with our test vehicle showcasing the Teak/Light Shale color combo, which added a premium look with contrasting colors, unique stitching, and natural wood details.

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 new-for-2022 Flight design themes. Our test vehicle's Chalet design featured light gray premium leather upholstery, while the Flight theme offered a classy Luggage Tan color. The Black Label trim included nearly every available feature, such as a simulated suede headliner and luxury floor mats, creating a decadent interior. However, the center console design and some chrome-plated plastic pieces looked a bit cheap.

The Nautilus Black Label's interior was luxurious, with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control and acoustic glass. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel was also heated. The optional 22-way power front seats with massage programs were exceptionally comfortable, even on long drives. The rear seats were heated, and the high-quality materials continued in the back, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. The cargo space was practical, with 37.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded down.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered three engine choices, including a 3.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine. The standard engine on all trims except the Denali was a 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The Denali and AT4 trims featured a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The turbodiesel engine, available on all trims except the AT4, produced 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, offering excellent fuel economy and a range of up to 648 miles on a tank. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional. The AT4 trim was only available with 4WD.

The Yukon's maximum towing capacity was 8,400 pounds with the 5.3-liter engine and the Max Trailering Package. Our test vehicle, a Yukon Denali with the 6.2-liter V8, had an 8,200-pound tow rating. The independent rear suspension provided better handling and a smoother ride, especially for third-row passengers. However, our test vehicle exhibited some bouncing over rutted pavement under acceleration. The optional air ride adaptive suspension improved ride quality and off-road capability by raising the vehicle two inches for better ground clearance.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered two engine options. The standard engine on the Nautilus and Nautilus Reserve was a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The Nautilus Black Label featured a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine with 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, requiring all-wheel drive. The Black Label also offered Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behavior, steering effort, and adaptive suspension.

During our test drive, the Nautilus proved to be a comfortable and quiet road-tripper, with the massaging and heated driver’s seat and heated steering wheel enhancing the experience. The twin-turbo V6 delivered an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg in combined driving, with a maximum range of 450 miles. Over 871.1 miles, the SUV averaged 25 mpg. The Nautilus was also unexpectedly athletic on mountain roads, with the twin-turbo V6 and eight-speed automatic transmission providing impressive performance. However, the steering lacked engagement, which was a disappointment given the SUV's otherwise graceful handling.

The 2022 GMC Yukon provided ample space for passengers and cargo. The recent redesign increased third-row legroom by more than 10 inches, from 24.8 inches to 34.9 inches, making the third row more comfortable. Cargo space behind the third row also increased from 15.3 cubic feet to 25.5 cubic feet. The second-row seats folded flat, and power fold-and-tumble bucket seats were available for easier access to the third row. Our test vehicle featured power-folding second-row buckets and power fold-flat third-row seats. The power-sliding center console revealed additional storage space and a hidden storage drawer for valuables. The power-retractable, illuminated assist steps made it easier to get in and out of the vehicle, though they could be difficult to avoid in wet conditions. The pushbutton transmission controls took some getting used to but became second nature with use.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label featured smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with the optional 22-way power front seats offering multiple massage programs and adjustable thigh extensions and head restraints. The rear seats were heated, but legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Practical storage space was adequate, though some storage locations were hard to access. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a nicely finished luggage compartment with 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 68.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded down.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came standard with a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information center, providing access to phone, audio, and navigation functions. The Denali trim featured a 15-inch multi-color head-up display, the largest in its class, providing driving speed, speed limit, audio information, and safety aids. The 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless phone charging, and an available WiFi hotspot. Our test vehicle featured a Bose 14-speaker audio system, though the sound quality was not as impressive as expected. The rear-seat media system included dual 12.6-inch LCD HD touchscreens, compatible with various media formats.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Sync 4 software. Sync 4 offered over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect connected services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. Our Black Label test vehicle also included connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel premium audio system. The system was intuitive and offered excellent sound quality. The Nautilus also featured Phone as a Key, allowing the smartphone to unlock and start the vehicle.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with GMC's Pro Safety suite, including automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, following distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Pro Safety Plus package added lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. Our test vehicle also featured a Safety Alert Seat and an adjustable rear camera mirror. The Yukon received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crash protection, and three stars for rollover resistance.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus included Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, featuring forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Black Label added Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors. The Black Label also featured a semi-autonomous parking assist system. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance.