So you’re in the market for a Lincoln Nautilus?
As a smaller package to Lincoln’s bigger Aviator and Navigator, the $51,890 Nautilus plays alongside many rivals in the 2-row midsize luxury SUV segment. The 2025 model year marks a bold redesign for Lincoln’s Chinese-made SUV, but behind its sleek looks is a vehicle designed to deliver passengers more comfort and technology. Though it is more akin to a family hauler than a high-performance sports car, the new Nautilus is a compelling choice among many in this competitive segment.
Lincoln
Under the hood, the Nautilus has a 2-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder that makes 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. For those who want more power and better efficiency, Lincoln also offers the Nautilus with a hybrid powertrain that combines the same motor with a 100kW electric motor for a total output of 310 horsepower. The hybrid also delivers improved fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon in the city, 31 on the highway and 30 combined, compared to an EPA-estimated 21 miles per gallon city, 29 highway and 24 combined with the standard gas engine. Front-wheel drive is standard with optional all-wheel-drive, while hybrids get all-wheel drive standard.
Lincoln
An interior that sets standards
But while the Nautilus may be efficient under the hood, its strongest suit is what it offers inside the cabin. The standout feature of the 2025 Nautilus’s interior is a massive 48-inch panoramic digital display that stretches from one end of the dashboard to the other. In one sweep, it integrates Lincoln’s latest infotainment software featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa with the digital gauges into a seamless interface akin to an expensive curved gaming monitor. Optional extras include a Revel Ultima 3D audio system and a head-up display, but over 100 cubic feet of generous passenger space comes standard. As for your stuff, the rear cargo area offers 36.4 cubic feet of space, expanding to 71.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded; more than enough for Costco and IKEA runs of all types.
While the Nautilus may not be the sportiest option in its class, it tries to deliver a frills-free and cushy ride with available features like adaptive suspension and Ford’s own BlueCruise hands-free driving system, which works on supported highways. The result is an SUV that prioritizes ease, luxury, and modern tech over outright performance. Drivers who value comfort, space, tech, and a lower MSRP may be tempted to see the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus as a genuine option. However, buyers may sway to other cars in this segment from South Korea and Japan that also offer aggressive styling, sharp handling, more refined materials, and a penchant for reliability.
Genesis GV70 – The stylish choice
Genesis
Lincoln may be a Ford product, but don’t be fooled into thinking that this sloped-back Genesis GV70 is some sort of fancified Hyundai Tucson wearing a fancy tuxedo.
For starters, the Genesis starts at a lower MSRP of $46,200, but at $52,200, around the similar starting point of the Lincoln Nautilus, the GV70 comes in the “Advanced” trim, which features additional safety, parking assist features, as well as real Nappa leather, a heated steering wheel, and a surround view monitor on top of unique features like a fingerprint authenticator.
Genesis
The GV70 comes standard with a 300 horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four cylinder, with the option to move up to a 375 horsepower twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 in higher trims. All GV70s come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission connected to an all-wheel drive drivetrain, which is an option on the Lincoln. The EPA rates the four-banger GV70 at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway while the V6 slightly reduces highway fuel economy, achieving 19 mpg city and 24 mpg on the highway.
While one may be tempted with its interior, which contains a multitude of premium, pleasing-to-the-touch materials that compliment its many advanced features, it falls short when it comes to raw passenger space compared to the Lincoln. It provides less rear legroom (37.2 inches in the GV70, compared to 43.1 in the Nautilus), as well as headroom (39.1 in the GV70, 39.8 in the Lincoln). Additionally, its 28.9 cubic feet of rear cargo room with the seats up falls short of the 36.4 in the Lincoln.
Acura MDX: The sporty alternative
Acura
For 2025, the boffins at Honda’s luxury division, Acura, have given a stylish new look to the MDX’s exterior and a more refined interior. Gone is the cumbersome touchpad, and in its place is a 12.3-inch touchscreen with built-in Google Assistant, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.
Acura
Acura
The $51,200 MDX comes standard with a a 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Like the Lincoln, the Acura gets standard all-wheel drive, but unlike it, it can be optioned with Acura’s Super-Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), as well as a 355 horsepower Turbocharged 3-liter V6 in the top-trim MDX Type S. The EPA rates front wheel drive, 3.5-liter V6 MDX models at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while the all wheel drive MDX with the same engine gets 19 mpg city and 25 highway. Type S models get 17 city anf 21 highway.
While the MDX can deliver sports-sedan handling and a 5.5-second 0-60 mph time with its most powerful motor, it is the only SUV on this list that features a third row. Folded down, it provides ample room for passengers and cargo. Compared to the Lincoln’s 39.8 inches of headroom and 43.1 inches of legroom, the Acura falls a bit short at 38.1 inches and 38.5 inches in its second row, respectively. However, with the third row folded down, the Acura unlocks a total of 48.4 cubic inches of cargo room over the the 36.4 in the Lincoln.
Lexus RX: A bestseller for a reason
Lexus
There are reasons to why the Lexus RX has been the top-selling mid-size luxury SUV for 26 consecutive years. Though it is a five-seater that makes for a more comfortable, quiet boulevard and highway cruiser than a face-ripping backroad blaster, at $50,475, it is a compelling package for many buyers.
The RX comes standard with a 275-horsepower, 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four cylinder connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Like the Lincoln, the Lexus comes standard with front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive can be ticked as an option. The EPA rates the RX350 at 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway while the AWD version gets 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.
Lexus
Lexus
However, its swan song is best heard inside. Passengers may find the RX roomy, however, its 102 cubic feet of passenger space falls short of the 113.5 cubic feet in the Lincoln, and its 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats is slightly less than the 36.4 cubic feet in the Lincoln. Nonetheless, the RX comes standard with a 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, whereas higher trims get a giant 14-inch screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, while optional navigation and a head-up display complement a modern interior design featuring ambient lighting and open-pore wood trim.
Lincoln
Final thoughts
The Lincoln Nautilus may provide more space and more compelling features than some of the choices listed above. But for the money, this competitive segment offers wildly different choices providing different specialites behind each nameplate; whether it be the ultra-premium feel of the Genesis, the sports-sedan handling and optional HiPo-output from the Acura, or the security of being behind one of the most trusted luxury marques in the market.
However, the only correct choice is your choice. So if you’re thinking about buying the Lincoln Nautilus, drive before you decide and you might have something cool and different on your driveway.
About the author
James Ochoa
Senior Editor, Autoblog