2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Toyota Sequoia

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, blending the bold aesthetics of the Toyota Tundra with a newly sculpted SUV body. Its traditional grille and front bumper gave it a distinct identity, setting it apart from the Tundra's more aggressive look. Inside, the Sequoia shared much with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with luxurious touches like leather, wood, and metallic finishes, especially in the upscale Capstone trim. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system was a focal point, though some interior materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the TRD Pro or add a TRD Off-Road Package to the SR5 and Limited trims for enhanced capability.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus debuted with a sophisticated and streamlined exterior, signaling a new design direction for Lincoln. Its grille, reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz, featured LED lighting that extended through the grill, illuminating the Lincoln star logo. The rear design echoed this horizontal aesthetic with a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports. Inside, the Nautilus boasted a luxurious interior with high-quality materials, ambient lighting, and textures like open-pore wood and fine leather. The standout feature was the full-width screen, complemented by the Jet Appearance Package, which added two-tone paint, black exterior trim, and unique interior elements for an additional $3,000.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, and its payload capacity rose to 1,730 pounds. Fuel efficiency improved significantly, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg with 4WD and 22 mpg with RWD. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. However, the steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

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. For an additional $1,500, buyers could opt for the hybrid setup, which offered 310 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque, and an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in combined driving. The hybrid's range exceeded 600 miles, though the Lexus RX hybrid offered better fuel economy. The Nautilus featured all-wheel drive and five drive modes, with an available adaptive suspension for enhanced performance. The hybrid's continuously variable transmission (CVT) was smooth and unobtrusive, though the Nautilus was not a driver's car like the Porsche Cayenne or BMW X5.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on highways, offering a quiet cabin with comfortable front seats, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The upper door panel shelf provided a convenient resting place for long trips. Power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though taller individuals might find them cumbersome. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat was cramped, with limited thigh support and legroom. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet. Maximum cargo capacity was 86.9 cubic feet, significantly less than the previous model and its competitors.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus offered power-adjustable, heated, and cooled front seats, with the Black Label model featuring 24-way Perfect Position seats with massage and extended heating functions. Rear passengers enjoyed 43 inches of legroom, surpassing competitors like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The Nautilus included the Rejuvenate feature, combining massage, lighting, and screen images for relaxation. Cargo space measured 36 cubic feet behind the second row and 71 cubic feet with the seats folded down in the Premiere trim, though slightly less in the Reserve and Black Label trims. The Nautilus accommodated five passengers, unlike some competitors with optional third-row seating.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen in the base SR5 and a 14-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and a guest mode, with an Intelligent Assistant for voice commands. However, the system had some quirks, such as difficulty making calls via Apple CarPlay. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display, though it was not visible with polarized sunglasses. A surround-view camera system and digital rearview mirror were standard on higher trims, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 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. HVAC controls were accessible via permanent icons, though adjusting vents required navigating menus. Unlabeled steering wheel controls were a distraction, but the inclusion of Google Maps and Alexa Built-in added convenience. Gaming and web browsing were available when parked, and over-the-air updates ensured the system remained current. Wireless charging and USB ports were standard throughout the cabin.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems were effective, though the lane-departure warning system's beeping was irritating. The Sequoia had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but the Tundra, on which it was based, received high ratings from IIHS.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured 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 available on all trims, with a trial period for lower trims and standard on 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 been rated by NHTSA, but the 2023 model received high scores for crash protection. IIHS rated the 2024 Nautilus "Good" in crashworthiness but had not yet rated it for front crash prevention or seat belt systems.