2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox presented itself as an attractive crossover, even if it didn't boast the futuristic design of a Kia Sportage or the rugged appearance of a Toyota RAV4. Its restrained bodywork was complemented by a chunky front end, which made the grille appear smaller and more refined compared to the aggressive front fascias common in the industry. The gold Bowtie emblem, while a bit garish against certain paint colors like Radiant Red Tintcoat, looked appealing on others such as Blue Glow Metallic and Harvest Brown Metallic. The Equinox was available in four trim levels: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, with options for front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Inside, the Equinox Premier trim featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery and standard heated front seats, which were also available on the RS and LT trims. The interior, though somewhat dated with a small touchscreen and basic driver-information display, was practical and user-friendly. The PRNDL shift lever was a refreshing change from the increasingly common dial- and button shifters, offering simplicity and ease of use. The Confidence and Convenience II package added valuable features like lumbar adjustments, ventilated front seats, and adaptive cruise control, making it a recommended option despite its additional cost.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus debuted with a sophisticated and streamlined exterior, signaling a new direction in Lincoln design. Its grille, reminiscent of Mercedes Benz's bifurcated design, featured LED lighting that extended through the grill and illuminated the Lincoln star logo, creating a stunning visual effect. The rear design mirrored this horizontal aesthetic with a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports. The interior was the highlight, with a full-width screen as its crown jewel, complemented by high-quality materials like open-pore wood and fine leather. The piano key shifter, a traditional Lincoln design element, added a touch of nostalgia.

The Nautilus offered a Jet Appearance Package for an additional $3,000, which included two-tone paint, black exterior trim, and black wheels, depending on the model. The interior was luxurious, with ambient lighting and textures that enhanced the overall experience. The Black Label model featured Lincoln's 24-way Perfect Position front seats, offering unmatched comfort in the mid-size luxury SUV class. The rear seats, while not as luxurious, provided ample legroom, making the Nautilus a comfortable choice for taller passengers. The Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images to create different moods, adding to the vehicle's appeal.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While it handled low-speed acceleration well, it struggled to accelerate quickly above 30 miles per hour. The Equinox's six-speed automatic transmission, though older, contributed to the powertrain's noise due to its longer gear holds. The vehicle offered all-wheel drive across all trims, but it required manual engagement via a button on the center console. The electronically assisted brake-by-wire system provided smooth braking, and the well-sorted suspension handled bumps and potholes effectively.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid option, available for an additional $1,500, increased power to 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA estimated 30 mpg in combined driving. The hybrid's continuously variable transmission (CVT) avoided the typical droning, offering a smooth driving experience. The Nautilus featured all-wheel drive and five drive modes, with the adaptive suspension enhancing performance in various conditions. While not a driver's car, the Nautilus provided a satisfying driving experience.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. While not the largest in its class, it surpassed competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester. Passenger space was ample, with sufficient headroom and legroom for taller occupants. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, with practical storage options like cup holders, a center console bin, and door pockets. The Premier trim's standard power liftgate operated quietly, adding to the vehicle's convenience.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus provided power-adjustable, heated, and cooled front seats across all trims, with the Black Label model offering Lincoln's 24-way Perfect Position front seats for ultimate comfort. The rear seats, while not as luxurious, offered 43 inches of legroom, surpassing competitors like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images to create different moods, enhancing the vehicle's appeal. Cargo space measured 36 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 71 cubic feet with the seats folded down in the Premiere trim. The Nautilus was available with seating for five, prioritizing cargo space over additional seating.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a simple technology offering, with a 7-inch touchscreen in the LS, LT, and RS trims, and an 8-inch screen in the Premier. While not as flashy as competitors' systems, the Equinox's infotainment was easy to use, with quick response times and good voice recognition. The Premier trim included a wireless charging pad, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available across all trims. The upgraded driver-information display offered useful features, despite its simplicity.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a massive 48-inch curved display, with a digital dash for the driver and customizable sections for weather, audio, and other information. The 11.1-inch touchscreen on the center console handled basic infotainment duties, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. While some controls required navigating menus, the inclusion of Google maps and Alexa Built-in added convenience. Wireless charging and USB-A and -C ports were standard, ensuring connectivity throughout the cabin.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox included a suite of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. While it received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, it scored poorly in the IIHS's moderate overlap front crash test and marginally in the side-impact crash test.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured the Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite of ADAS, including lane-keeping assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, and emergency braking. The Blue Cruise 1.2 technology, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, was available on all trims, with a trial period for Premiere and Reserve trims. The 2023 Nautilus received high safety ratings from the NHTSA, and the 2024 model was rated "Good" in crashworthiness by the IIHS.