2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus evolved from the second-generation Lincoln MKX, which shared its platform with the Ford Edge. In 2019, it was rebranded as the Nautilus, shedding the alphanumeric naming convention and adopting a more attractive design. For 2021, the exterior remained largely unchanged, but the interior saw significant updates. The cabin featured a new dash design with clean lines, soft materials, and a large 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen. The "Piano Key" shifter-button layout was unconventional but user-friendly. The infotainment system was praised for its ease of use and high-definition graphics, making it a standout feature.

The Nautilus offered three trims: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label. The Standard trim included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a power rear liftgate, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The Reserve trim added features like a hands-free power liftgate, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Black Label trim came with a twin-turbo V6 engine, standard AWD, and a 19-speaker premium stereo. The Black Label also featured 22-way Multi-Contour front seats, which, despite being complex to adjust, provided exceptional comfort.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna continued to embrace its minivan identity, despite the market's shift towards SUVs. Toyota's commitment to the minivan segment was evident in the Sienna's design and functionality. The fourth-generation Sienna, launched in 2021, featured a bold front end and re-engineered sliding doors that concealed the slider channel. The interior was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel, offering ample storage and comfortable seating for all passengers. The second-row seats could slide up to 25 inches, making access to the third row easy.

The Sienna's interior was spacious, with 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The third-row bench could be easily stored away, and both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated with foot-motion triggers. This made loading and unloading convenient, especially for families with young children.

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 a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine had standard FWD, with AWD available, while the twin-turbo V6 came with standard AWD.

The twin-turbo V6 provided excellent power, especially at highway speeds, with smooth and controlled acceleration. The adaptive suspension effectively minimized road bumps, offering a comfortable ride. However, the engine stop-start feature had a slight delay, which could be noticeable in certain driving scenarios. Overall, the Nautilus offered a pleasant driving experience, balancing power and comfort.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. FWD was standard, with AWD available on all trim levels. The AWD system used a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, simplifying the mechanical setup. The Sienna used an electronically controlled CVT, offering smooth and efficient power delivery. Drivers could choose from four drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport.

The Sienna's handling was impressive for a minivan, thanks to its TNGA platform and independent rear suspension. It offered minimal body roll and a comfortable ride on highways. The hybrid powertrain delivered excellent fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 36 mpg city/36 mpg highway/36 mpg combined for FWD models and 35 mpg city/35 mpg highway/35 mpg combined for AWD models. The 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack was located under the front seats and came with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus provided up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 37.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in use. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available. The Nautilus focused on two-row comfort, with ample head- and legroom for rear passengers. The front seats, especially the 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable units, offered exceptional comfort. The center console and door handles featured soft-touch materials, enhancing the overall comfort.

The Nautilus had a large center console bin and deep in-door pockets for storage. The floating center controls design allowed for additional storage space behind the radio and climate controls, making it practical for everyday use.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was designed to be a family workhorse, capable of carrying a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo. With the second row in its default position, the Sienna offered 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. It also had a 3,500-pound towing capacity.

The third-row bench could be easily stored away, and each row had ample storage cubbies and cupholders. Both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated with foot-motion triggers, making it convenient for families with young children or groceries.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-definition graphics and a user-friendly menu layout. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to integrate smartphones. The available wireless charging pad added convenience. The Revel 19-speaker premium audio system provided excellent sound quality, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came with a 9-inch touchscreen as standard, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which was a notable omission. The Sienna offered a range of telematics services, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect. Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming were standard across all trims.

Higher trims featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system and an optional rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Sienna also offered a head-up display in Platinum trim models, providing essential information without requiring the driver to look away from the road. The digital rearview mirror, available on Limited and Platinum trims, ensured a clear view of the road behind, even with a full load of passengers.

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

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags, multiple LATCH connectors, and a rear-seat reminder system. Tire-pressure monitoring and an inflator kit were standard, with an optional spare tire for added convenience.