2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Acura MDX was available in standard and Type S versions, each with various trim packages that increased the amount of equipment. The standard MDX came in a base level with available Technology, A-Spec, and Advance packages, while the MDX Type S was offered in standard spec or with an Advance package. Prices ranged from $49,550 to $73,200, plus a destination charge of $1,195. The test vehicle arrived in Type S Advance trim with extra-cost Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid (white) interior, bringing the MSRP to $74,995. Despite the high price, the MDX Type S had some shortcomings in quality, luxury, and driving dynamism.

The fourth-generation MDX was the first Acura SUV to wear the Type S badge, featuring subtle design elements like chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and 21-inch wheels. The Type S Advance added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard. However, the body tapering at the doors sometimes made it look like the MDX had a massive dent on the side. The gloss black plastic on the dashboard also made it challenging to find and use some controls. Despite these nit-picks, the MDX Type S was fundamentally an attractive luxury SUV.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus debuted with a more sophisticated and streamlined exterior styling, available in Premiere, Reserve, or Black Label trim. The new grille, reminiscent of Mercedes Benz, featured LED lighting extending through the grill and illuminating the Lincoln star logo. The rear had a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports, while the door handles were placed high and incorporated into the beltline. The interior was the highlight, with a full-width screen and high-quality materials like open-pore wood and fine leather.

The Nautilus's interior featured ambient lighting and textures, with the Black Label model offering 24-way Perfect Position front seats with massage and extended heating functions. The rear seats provided 43 inches of legroom, more than competitors like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The Lincoln Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images to invoke different moods. Cargo space was ample, with 36 cubic feet behind the second row and 71 cubic feet when folded down. However, the Nautilus was available only with seating for five, unlike some competitors offering three rows.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S was unique for its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This was an increase of 65 hp and 87 lb-ft over the standard 3.5-liter V6. However, the Type S also weighed 285 pounds more than the lightest standard MDX with all-wheel drive (AWD). The twin-scroll turbo V6 engine used a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters to power all four wheels through Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The system could put up to 70 percent of total engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing cornering performance.

The MDX Type S featured an Integrated Dynamics System with Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, along with a Lift mode to increase ground clearance. Despite these enhancements, the MDX Type S fell short in performance. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brake pedal modulation was poor. The engine's power increase was not substantial enough to justify its dismal fuel economy, averaging 16.9 mpg during the evaluation route. The MDX Type S struggled as a driver's SUV, with issues like squealing tires, lack of suspension compliance, and more body roll than expected.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus's standard engine was a turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The power was applied smoothly, and shifts were kept in the background. However, the hybrid setup, costing an extra $1,500, offered 310 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque, and an EPA estimated 30 mpg in combined driving. The gas-only engine provided 24 mpg combined. The hybrid's total range exceeded 600 miles, outperforming the Lexus RX hybrid in fuel economy.

Every Nautilus came with all-wheel drive (AWD) and five drive modes. The available adaptive suspension enhanced the driving experience, with Normal mode offering a cushy ride and Excite mode tightening the steering and throttle. The hybrid's continuously variable transmission (CVT) exhibited no droning or over-eager engine speed. While not a driver's car like the Porsche Cayenne or BMW X5, the Nautilus could satisfy occasional go-fast urges.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seats with a choice of two or three second-row seating positions and a cargo area with ample floor space. The test vehicle had all available upgrades, including a triple-zone automatic climate control system and 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. However, the seats were firm and didn't hold the driver in place as well as expected. The second-row seat was comfortable and supportive, with heating in the outboard positions in the Advance trim. The third row was best for children due to its tight space.

The MDX's interior prioritized style over storage space, with a small bin under the front center armrest and a touchpad interface that partially blocked the wireless charging pad. The cargo area offered 18.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat. The hands-free liftgate with a Walk Away Close function was a thoughtful addition.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured power-adjustable, heated, and cooled front seats in all trims, with the Black Label model offering 24-way Perfect Position front seats with massage and extended heating functions. The rear seats provided 43 inches of legroom, more than competitors like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The Lincoln Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images to invoke different moods. Cargo space was ample, with 36 cubic feet behind the second row and 71 cubic feet when folded down. However, the Nautilus was available only with seating for five, unlike some competitors offering three rows.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment screen was not touch-sensitive and required the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the center console. The TTI design reduced center console storage space and partially blocked the wireless charging pad. The MDX also featured wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In. The top-shelf Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers provided excellent sound quality.

The MDX's Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display (HUD) showing navigation instructions, driving assistance status, and current vehicle speed. However, the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs, causing issues. The infotainment system's native voice recognition was frustrating, but using Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa improved the experience.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured a massive 48-inch curved display, with a digital dash for the driver and customizable sections for weather, audio, fuel economy, tire pressure, or trip mileage. The center console had an 11.1-inch touchscreen for basic infotainment duties, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. HVAC controls were permanent icons on the screen, but adjusting the vents required navigating through menus, which was distracting.

The Nautilus included Google maps, Alexa Built-in for voice controls, gaming, web browsing, and over-the-air (OTA) updates. Wireless charging was standard, and there were USB-A and -C charge ports throughout the cabin. However, the unlabelled steering wheel controls were challenging to use and could be distracting.

The 2023 Acura MDX included the Acura Watch suite of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and Traffic Jam Assist. The MDX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The MDX earned good crash-test ratings, with the IIHS naming it a Top Safety Pick+ and the NHTSA giving it an overall five-star rating.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came with the Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite of ADAS features, including lane-keeping assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and emergency braking. The hands-free/eyes-up Blue Cruise 1.2 technology was included on every Nautilus trim, with a 90-day trial for Premiere and Reserve trims and four years of standard service for the Black Label. Blue Cruise combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, with automatic lane-change assist and In-Lane Repositioning. The 2024 Nautilus had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2023 model received five stars for frontal and side crash protection and four stars for rollover protection. The IIHS gave the 2024 Nautilus a top score of "Good" in crashworthiness.