2023 Nautilus vs. Aviator: What’s the Difference Between the 2 Lincoln SUVs?
Lincoln makes some of the best luxury cars on the market, and car shoppers may end up having to choose between two different Lincolns. The 2023 Lincoln Nautilus is one of the automaker’s great SUVs, but some drivers may feel compelled to go for the Aviator instead. Here’s a comparison between the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus and the 2023 Lincoln Aviator.
A brief overview of these two Lincoln SUVs
| Lincoln Nautilus | Lincoln Aviator | |
| Pricing | $44,825 | $53,340 |
| Engine | 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder or 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 | 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 or PHEV |
| Horsepower/Torque | 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque or 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque | 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque or 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque |
| MPG | 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway | 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway |
| Safety Rating | 5-star NHTSA rating | 5 star NHTSA rating |
| Seating | 5 | 7 |
| Storage Space | 68.8 cu-ft | 77.7 cu-ft |
U.S. News compared the two Lincoln SUVs, and like any other cars, they both have their own pros and cons. The car critic gave the Nautilus four pros and one con. As expected from a Lincoln, it has a well-designed interior, and its seats are very comfortable. It’s practical too since it has a good cargo capacity, and its infotainment system is “intuitive.” However, the site said that the SUV’s handling was “somewhat dull.”
The Aviator, meanwhile, has five pros and two cons. Just like the Nautilus, it has a great interior, plenty of cargo capacity, and a “straightforward” infotainment system.
Plus, its powertrains provide a great acceleration, and it has a smooth ride quality. On the other hand, its third-row seats are cramped, and its PHEV option is expensive and “clunky.”
2023 Lincoln Nautilus vs. 2023 Lincoln Aviator: Driving and performance
On paper, the Nautilus has less power than the Aviator, but it’s also a much smaller SUV. Overall, Lincoln designed both cars with comfort in mind, so neither excel in terms of sportiness. The Nautilus’ engine options are powerful enough for the SUV, and it’s the same story for the Aviator.
And while the car critic critiqued the Nautilus’ “dull” handling, the Aviator’s larger size makes its handling more challenging.
2023 Lincoln Nautilus vs. 2023 Lincoln Aviator: Interior and tech
Both midsize SUVs have an upscale interior that was well-designed by the automaker. They both use a lot of luxurious materials, and synthetic leather upholstery is standard on both Lincolns. The Nautilus has better tech features though, as it starts with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, while the Aviator comes with a 10.1-inch one.
2023 Lincoln Nautilus vs. 2023 Lincoln Aviator: Trim levels and features
Lincoln gave the two SUVs similar trim options. They share three trim options, and they’re the Standard, the Reserve, and the Black Label. There are some feature differences between the two though. The Aviator gets rain-sensing wipers as standard, but the Nautilus gets a standard blind-spot monitoring system. That said, the Aviator has a PHEV option that the Nautilus doesn’t have an equivalent of.
Which Lincoln midsize SUV is the right fit for you?
Ultimately, these two Lincoln SUVs are both competing in the midsize segment, but they’re very different from one another. The Aviator is larger, which makes it more expensive, but it has three rows of seats and more cargo capacity.
The Nautilus, meanwhile, is almost $8,000 cheaper than its Lincoln sibling, but it has many of the same advantages as the Aviator has. This choice between these two Lincolns will depend on what families are looking for in an SUV, but they’re both capable options either way.
