2026 Lincoln Nautilus vs. the Competition

The luxury and commanding presence of a Lincoln makes them a popular choice for SUV buyers. The Lincoln Nautilus in particular brings that appeal to the midsize luxury SUV segment. Since there are a lot of other midsize luxury SUVs out there, a more detailed look is required to see how it stacks up to the competition. That’s why Joe Rizza Lincoln has put this concise guide together - take a look!

Lincoln Nautilus VS Lexus RX

In this comparison, we’re looking at the Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid and comparing it to a mainstay of luxury hybrid midsize SUVs, the Lexus RXh. Pricing is quite close, but it’s a bit of a mystery why. There is a big difference in power which is compounded by the fact that Nautilus is also slightly lighter than the RX. But that doesn’t mean the heavier RX is bigger, quite the opposite! The Lincoln is once again out ahead in leg room and it has so much more cargo space that you might think the numbers above are a misprint. They’re not! Yet with all that extra space, the Nautilus also has a tighter turning circle which is an impressive bit of engineering that makes for a much more practical vehicle.

When we look at equipment, the similarity in pricing becomes all the more baffling. Both vehicles come with heated front seats, but if you want ventilation to go with it, that requires a higher trim level of the Lexus RXh. Using your phone as a key is a popular feature on newer vehicles and it’s standard on the Nautilus. Not only does this cost extra on the RX, but you also need to have a subscription to the service, which adds even more to the cost once the trial period expires. A mobile wireless hotspot is also included as standard on the Nautilus. Other features, like a digital gauge cluster and a front passenger display screen, aren’t even offered on the RX. This also includes hands-free cruise control, which is standard on the Nautilus in the form of BlueCruise, but is a technology that Lexus hasn’t developed yet.

Lincoln Nautilus VS Volvo XC60

Last in our comparisons is the Volvo XC60, which starts at a very similar price to the Lincoln Nautilus. That might make you believe these are very similar vehicles, but a closer look reveals the Volvo to be lacking in some key areas. For starters, there is less power, especially when it comes to torque. The Volvo is smaller, and while you’ll feel this in the passenger area, the dramatic difference is in the cargo area, where there is only half the cargo volume as you get in the Lincoln.

You’ll find a technologically advanced interior in the Nautilus, with a gigantic 24-inch digital instrument cluster, and this doesn’t even take into account the massive companion screen that stretches across the whole dash in the Nautilus, measuring 48 inches diagonally. Even when you aren’t listening to music, the standard active noise canceling in the Nautilus lets you enjoy one of the most difficult-to-find luxury features, a quiet cabin. Other tech you’ll find in the Nautilus but not the XC60 includes a “brake hold” feature to make stop-and-go traffic easier to deal with and an optional block heater for those cold winter days. Lastly, as we’ve seen before, the Nautilus comes with 6 years of roadside assistance compared to just 4 for the XC60.

Winner - Lincoln Nautilus

Against the variety of other midsize luxury SUVs on the market, the Lincoln Nautilus shines through. Whether it’s creature comforts, tech, or power, the competition just doesn’t measure up to the Nautilus. Come see what an unrivaled luxury experience feels like at Joe Rizza Lincoln.