2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2023 Subaru Forester, despite its familiar and somewhat plain exterior, offered a practical and functional design that appealed to those who valued utility over aesthetics. Its Cascade Green Silica paint was a nod to its heritage, making it blend seamlessly with its predecessors. The Forester's design was characterized by its boxy shape, flared fenders, and distinctive lighting, which, while not particularly attractive, served its purpose well. The Touring trim, with its 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim, was the most visually appealing of the lineup. Inside, the Forester Touring featured Saddle Brown leather, exposed stitching, and metallic accents, maintaining a traditional Subaru design with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. The interior was practical, with an abundance of hard plastic for easy cleaning, and a control layout that favored buttons and knobs for ease of use.

In contrast, the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus debuted with a more sophisticated and streamlined exterior, signaling a new direction in Lincoln design. Its grille, reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz, featured LED lighting that extended through the grill, illuminating the Lincoln star logo. 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. The materials used were of excellent quality, with polished metal, ambient lighting, and textures like open-pore wood and fine leather. The Jet Appearance Package added a touch of sportiness with two-tone paint and black exterior trim. The Nautilus's interior was luxurious, with a focus on comfort and high-quality materials, making it a standout in its class.

The 2023 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT featured eight programmed ratios to mimic a traditional automatic, and the Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) system offered a Sport mode for enhanced responsiveness. Most trims, except the Base, included an X-Mode off-road traction management system with various driving modes. The Forester Wilderness trim was particularly capable off-road, but the Touring trim was more suited for everyday driving. Despite its adequate power, the Forester's engine was louder than desired, but its excellent driving dynamics, including light steering and effective brakes, made it enjoyable to drive. The Forester returned 25.9 mpg on the testing route, falling short of the EPA rating of 29 mpg combined.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid option, available for an additional $1,500, offered 310 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque, and an EPA estimated 30 mpg combined. The Nautilus hybrid boasted a range of over 600 miles, though the Lexus RX hybrid offered better fuel economy. All Nautilus models featured all-wheel drive and five drive modes, with the adaptive suspension enhancing the driving experience. The hybrid's CVT was well-tuned, avoiding the typical droning associated with such transmissions. While not a driver's car, the Nautilus provided a comfortable and capable ride, with the hybrid setup offering a balance of power and efficiency.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering a practical and straightforward design. The Premium trim included features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. Higher trims offered more luxurious options, such as StarTex artificial leather or perforated genuine leather, dual-zone climate control, and heated rear seats. The Forester's high seating position and excellent visibility made it easy to drive and park. However, the panoramic sunroof lacked sufficient tinting, leading to solar heating issues. The Forester's interior was spacious, with ample legroom and headroom, though the rear seats could be more supportive. Cargo space was generous, with 26.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 69.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus offered power-adjustable, heated, and cooled front seats across all trims, with the Black Label model featuring 24-way Perfect Position front seats with massage and extended heating functions. The rear seats provided 43 inches of legroom, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images to create a relaxing atmosphere. Cargo space was ample, with 36 cubic feet behind the second row and 71 cubic feet with the seats folded down in the Premiere trim. The Nautilus was available only with seating for five, prioritizing cargo space over additional seating.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology appeared outdated at first glance, but its simplicity was a strength. The Base trim featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available. The Forester's user interface was straightforward, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use knobs and buttons. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation and other tasks.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured a stunning 48-inch curved display, with a digital dash for the driver and customizable sections for various information. An 11.1-inch touchscreen handled infotainment duties, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. HVAC controls were on the screen, with permanent icons for easy access. However, adjusting vents required navigating menus, which was distracting. The steering wheel controls were unlabelled, adding to the distraction. Despite these issues, the inclusion of Google maps, Alexa Built-in, and over-the-air updates kept the Nautilus's technology current and user-friendly.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system with updated software and cameras for improved performance. Models with blind-spot monitoring included Automatic Emergency Steering, assisting with avoiding obstacles at speeds under 50 mph. The Wilderness and Touring trims added Rear Automatic Braking, though it could be overly sensitive. The Touring trim also featured a DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, though it received lower scores in some new tests.

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 Blue Cruise 1.2 technology was available on all trims, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. The 2024 Nautilus had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2023 model received high scores for crash protection. The IIHS gave the 2024 Nautilus a top score of "Good" in crashworthiness.