2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport had been eagerly anticipated as the little brother to the resurrected Bronco. It captured some of the rugged styling cues of its bigger sibling but was designed as a more suburban-friendly, unibody crossover. The Bronco Sport featured a modern retro look reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup, with short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a tucked-in body designed for trail driving. The front end echoed the upcoming Bronco, and bold white lettering on the grille and tailgate announced its name. The wheels varied by trim, with options ranging from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels to 18-inch machined-face aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires.

Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a tastefully rugged design with an uncluttered layout. The HVAC vents had a unique shape that lent unity to the cabin, and the center stack featured convenient storage cubbies and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim stepped up predictably from model to model, with options ranging from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats. The First Edition model boasted Navy Pier Leather power front seats and a rubberized cargo floor, making it both stylish and practical.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus, formerly known as the second-generation Lincoln MKX, had undergone a significant transformation. The exterior styling carried over from its 2019 facelift, but the cabin received a sharp new design. The interior featured clean lines, soft materials, and a large, crisp touchscreen that rose from the center of the dash. The "Piano Key" shifter-button layout was unconventional but easy to use. The standard 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen system was user-friendly and similar to Ford's SYNC 3, with almost no learning curve. The screen's glossy finish reflected the ample bright work in the center console, making sunglasses a handy accessory.

The Nautilus came in three trims: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label. The Standard trim included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a power rear liftgate, and synthetic leather upholstery. The Reserve trim added features like a hands-free power liftgate, genuine leather upholstery, and a panoramic sunroof. The range-topping Black Label included a twin-turbo V6 engine, standard all-wheel drive, and a 19-speaker premium stereo system. The Black Label test vehicle featured 22-way Multi-Contour front seats, a cargo utility package, and enhanced active park assist, making it a luxurious and well-equipped option.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices tied to trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models came with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, it was a capable and comfortable commuter, with the 2.0-liter engine providing a better match for its character.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The Reserve and Black Label trims offered an optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine had standard front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available, while the twin-turbo V6 came with standard all-wheel drive. The V6 engine provided smooth and controlled power delivery, making it ideal for both city and highway driving. The adaptive suspension minimized road bumps, and the Nautilus felt firm and planted through corners. The engine stop-start feature conserved fuel but had a slight delay in response.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered practical features for active buyers. The cargo space was designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford provided a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds. The cargo hold featured a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, but taller drivers might find outward visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus offered up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space, more than the Lexus RX 350 and Cadillac XT5. With the rear seats in use, it provided 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available. The Nautilus emphasized two-row comfort, with plenty of head- and legroom for rear-seat passengers. The front seats were especially comfortable, with available 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable units. The center console and door handles featured soft-touch materials, making long trips more relaxing. The center console bin and deep in-door pockets provided ample storage space, and the floating center controls design allowed for additional storage behind the radio and climate controls.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also offered Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability, with a standard 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The base audio system included six speakers, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The terrain management system included five drive modes on Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims, with Badlands and First Edition models adding Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl modes. Trail control technology provided a cruise-control-like feature for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on all trims except the Base model, and higher trims featured heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came with a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-definition graphics and a sensible menu layout. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with large icons for easy use. The available wireless charging pad made phone connectivity seamless. The Revel 19-speaker premium audio system provided excellent sound quality. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a helpful home button to navigate back to the main screen.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system, and road-sign recognition. Trailer sway control was available as part of the tow package. All models featured all-wheel drive and a terrain management system with traction control, anti-lock braking, and electronic stability control. Crash-worthiness ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus included the CoPilot360 package, with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional driver assistance features included adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, a surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights. However, the standard backup camera was of low quality, making it difficult to see in low-light conditions.