Compare the2024 Lexus RXVS 2024 Lincoln Nautilus

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 Lexus RX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Nautilus has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 37 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lincoln is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Lincoln is ranked 23rd.

The RX has more powerful engines 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 F Sport’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.

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.

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 first in service department satisfaction. With a 43% lower rating, Lincoln is ranked 12th.

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 and navigation instruction 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 Lexus RX outsold the Lincoln Nautilus by almost five to one during 2023.