2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Mazda CX-30

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 presented a striking design with its long hood and artful lines, though some felt the excessive gray body cladding detracted from its appeal. The 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus model, with its black wheels and Soul Red paint, exuded a sporty yet elegant vibe. Inside, the CX-30 offered an upscale cabin with quality materials, including off-white leather and polished metal accents, creating an entry-level luxury feel. Despite its premium pricing, the interior's tasteful design and comfort features, such as leather upholstery and gloss black trim, made it a compelling choice for those seeking a refined driving experience.

In contrast, the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus debuted with a sophisticated and streamlined exterior, highlighted by a stunning grille with LED lighting that illuminated the Lincoln star logo. The horizontal aesthetic extended to the rear with an animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports. The interior was the real showstopper, featuring a massive full-width screen and high-quality materials like open-pore wood and fine leather. The Nautilus offered ambient lighting and a unique design twist with door handles integrated into the beltline. The Jet Appearance Package added a touch of sportiness with two-tone paint and black wheels, enhancing the Nautilus's luxurious appeal.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 191 horsepower and a turbocharged version producing up to 250 horsepower with premium fuel. The turbocharged engine delivered 320 lb-ft of torque, providing robust acceleration and a thrilling driving experience. However, the small 12.7-gallon fuel tank limited its range, requiring frequent refueling stops. The CX-30's suspension provided a comfortable ride, but it struggled with speed bumps and humps, impacting cabin comfort. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-30 excelled on twisty roads, thanks to its G-Vectoring Control Plus and excellent steering, making it one of the most enjoyable vehicles in its class.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For those seeking more power, the hybrid setup offered 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, along with an impressive EPA-estimated 30 mpg in combined driving. The hybrid's range exceeded 600 miles, making it ideal for long journeys. The Nautilus featured five drive modes, including Excite mode for a sportier feel, and an adaptive suspension for enhanced handling. While not a driver's car, the Nautilus provided a comfortable and capable ride, with the hybrid offering a balance of power and efficiency.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered a comfortable driver's seat with dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats. However, the front passenger seat lacked adjustability, and rear legroom was tight. The CX-30 provided 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While storage space was reasonable, the lack of underfloor storage and cargo nooks was a drawback. The power liftgate, standard on higher trims, added convenience, but overall cargo capacity was limited for a small crossover.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus excelled in interior comfort, especially with the Black Label model's 24-way Perfect Position front seats, offering massage and extended heating functions. Rear passengers enjoyed 43 inches of legroom, surpassing competitors like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images for relaxation. Cargo space was generous, with 36 cubic feet behind the second row and 71 cubic feet with seats folded, though slightly reduced in higher trims. The Nautilus offered seating for five, prioritizing cargo space over a third row, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30's Mazda Connect infotainment system had notable flaws, including the absence of a touchscreen display and conversational voice-recognition technology. The center console controls required frequent glances, and the steering-wheel controls were hard to read. Despite these issues, the system featured an 8.8-inch display with pleasing graphics and a logical menu structure. Standard features included Bluetooth, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with Turbos adding SiriusXM, navigation, and a Bose premium sound system. Wireless smartphone charging was available as an accessory.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a stunning 48-inch curved display, with a digital dash and customizable sections for various information. The 11.1-inch touchscreen on the center console handled basic infotainment duties, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. While HVAC controls were easily accessible, adjusting vents required navigating menus, which was distracting. The steering wheel controls were unlabelled, adding to the distraction. However, the inclusion of Google Maps, Alexa Built-in, and OTA updates enhanced the Nautilus's tech offerings. Wireless charging and USB ports throughout the cabin ensured connectivity and convenience.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 excelled in safety, earning a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, a head-up display, and Traffic Jam Assist. The forward-collision system worked effectively, though its response could be excessive in certain situations. Overall, the CX-30's safety systems provided peace of mind, with features like the surround-view camera and parking sensors proving helpful during testing.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with the Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite, including lane-keeping assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and emergency braking. The standout feature was the Blue Cruise 1.2 technology, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. While the technology was standard on the Black Label trim, it required a subscription for other trims. The Nautilus had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2023 model received high scores for crash protection. The IIHS rated the 2024 Nautilus "Good" in crashworthiness, though other ratings were pending.