Compare the2025 Lexus RXVS 2025 Lincoln Nautilus

The Lexus RX’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Lincoln Nautilus does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the RX and the Nautilus have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lexus RX is safer than the Lincoln Nautilus:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus RX is safer than the Lincoln Nautilus:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The RX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Nautilus’ (6 vs. 5 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Lexus RX’s reliability 17 points higher than the Nautilus and the Lexus RX Hybrid is rated 43 points higher than the Nautilus.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RX second among midsize premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Nautilus isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 50 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 116 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is ranked 25th.

The RX has more powerful engines than the Nautilus:

As tested in Motor Trend the Lexus RX is faster than the Lincoln Nautilus 4 cyl. hybrid gas:

As tested in Car and Driver the RX 500h F Sport Performance 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lincoln Nautilus 2.0:

As tested in Car and Driver the RX 500h F Sport Performance 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lincoln Nautilus 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the RX running on electricity gets better mileage than the Nautilus:

On the EPA test cycle the RX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Nautilus:

The RX 450h+ can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Nautilus can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

For better stopping power the RX 500h’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Nautilus:

The RX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Nautilus are solid, not vented.

The RX stops shorter than the Nautilus:

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RX is 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Nautilus.

The RX 450h+ Luxury handles at .83 G’s, while the Nautilus Black Label pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The RX 450h+ Luxury executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2 seconds quicker than the Nautilus Black Label (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.8 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the Nautilus’ (35.4 feet vs. 37.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the RX 350 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Nautilus (8.1 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the RX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The RX 350h’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the Nautilus (8.2 vs. 7.9 inches).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the RX. The Nautilus doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Maximum trailer towing in the Lincoln Nautilus is limited to 1750 pounds. The RX offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Lincoln. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 27% lower rating, Lincoln is ranked 15th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Nautilus, the RX 450h+ Luxury has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The RX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Nautilus does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The RX offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The RX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Access standard on the Nautilus doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RX Luxury/500h F Sport offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Nautilus doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The RX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Nautilus has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The RX Premium/Luxury/F Sport has standard front air conditioned seats and the RX offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Nautilus doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The RX Premium+/Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Advanced Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Nautilus’ automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The RX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus RX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Nautilus isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RX first among midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Nautilus isn’t in the top three.

The Lexus RX outsold the Lincoln Nautilus by over three to one during 2024.