2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. Retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several updates over the years. The GX received Lexus’ signature spindle grille in 2014, which was further refined in 2020 with a new textured insert and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t introduce any new styling changes, but it did make silver 18-inch wheels standard on the Premium trim level. Despite its age, the GX’s tough and aggressive look remained distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior did not meet modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, but the overall interior quality lagged behind contemporary expectations.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in the Black Label trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels, was an attractive SUV with a balanced and characterful design. The Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence added a touch of elegance when approaching the SUV after dark. Inside, the Black Label model offered a choice between the Chalet and new-for-2022 Flight design themes, featuring premium leather upholstery in light gray or classy Luggage Tan. The Black Label trim included nearly every available feature, creating a luxurious environment, though some chrome-plated plastic pieces detracted from the overall feel. The Nautilus was priced starting at $44,225, with the Black Label trim beginning at $66,825. Our test vehicle, equipped with Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage, was perfect for long drives, making it a comfortable and stylish choice.

The 2021 Lexus GX kept things simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460’s performance was reminiscent of an older generation of SUVs. The V8 engine provided ample power for initial acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, the SUV’s 5,130-pound weight became apparent at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. Stopping the GX also required more forethought due to its weight and body-on-frame construction, which contributed to a less refined ride quality. Despite these drawbacks, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, standard 4WD with a low range, and various driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added further enhancements, making the GX a formidable off-road vehicle. It also boasted a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered two engine options. The standard Nautilus and Nautilus Reserve came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, with front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard, and all-wheel drive as an option. The Black Label trim featured a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, requiring all-wheel drive. The Nautilus provided Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behavior, steering effort, and adaptive suspension settings. During a road trip from Los Angeles to Scottsdale, Arizona, the Nautilus proved to be a comfortable and quiet road-tripper, with the twin-turbo V6 offering impressive performance. The SUV averaged 25 mpg over 871.1 miles, with a maximum range of 450 miles on the highway. The Nautilus handled well in various driving conditions, though the steering lacked engagement. Despite this, the twin-turbo V6 and adaptive suspension made it unexpectedly athletic on mountain roads.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel’s odd angle and tall seating position created a bus-like driving feel. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console bins, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating for seven, though the third row was best suited for children and difficult to access. Cargo space was also limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, and minimal space with the third row up.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label offered a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control and acoustic glass. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with a power tilt-and-telescopic heated steering wheel. The optional 22-way power front seats with massage programs provided exceptional comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed heated outboard seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Practical storage space was adequate but not easily accessible. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a well-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.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. The infotainment system was outdated, with graphics reminiscent of the 1990s and limited functionality. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a straightforward interface. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available, but the overall tech experience was lacking for a luxury SUV.

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 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 was intuitive and user-friendly, with physical controls for stereo and climate settings. The natural voice recognition system worked well, and the Revel speakers provided excellent sound quality. The Nautilus also offered Phone as a Key, turning a smartphone into a digital key.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard 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 beams. The Black Label trim added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors. The Black Label also included 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. The IIHS had not assessed the Nautilus for safety.