2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus presented a sophisticated and streamlined exterior, available in Premiere, Reserve, or Black Label trims. Its design featured a new grille with LED lighting extending through it, illuminating the Lincoln star logo, creating a stunning visual effect. The rear mirrored this horizontal aesthetic with a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports. The interior was equally impressive, highlighted by a massive full-width screen and high-quality materials like open-pore wood and fine leather. Despite the traditional piano key shifter style, the interior offered a luxurious experience, especially with the optional Jet Appearance Package that added unique exterior and interior elements.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h Black Line Special Edition, was priced at $75,000 and featured an exclusive Incognito paint job with orange brake calipers. Despite these unique touches, the RX's design was considered unremarkable, with a large front grille and a dramatic rear haunch swell. The RX Hybrid lineup included three models: RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+, each offering different power and efficiency levels. The interior was contemporary, with quality materials and ambient lighting, though some ergonomic controls were less intuitive. The RX Hybrid provided a range of trims and options, with prices starting from $52,875.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid option, available for an additional $1,500, offered 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in combined driving. The hybrid's range exceeded 600 miles, making it a practical choice for long drives. The Nautilus featured all-wheel drive and five drive modes, with the adaptive suspension enhancing the driving experience. While not a driver's car, it provided a satisfying performance for those seeking a bit of excitement.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models with varying performance levels. The RX 350h delivered 246 horsepower and 233 lb-ft of torque, focusing on efficiency with 36 mpg combined. The RX 450h+ PHEV provided 304 horsepower and a 6.2-second 0-60 mph time, while the RX 500h boasted 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time 1.5 seconds faster than the RX 350h. The RX 500h featured a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension and advanced all-wheel-drive system, but its fuel economy was lower than expected. Despite its power, the RX 500h's driving experience was less rewarding due to limited communication between the road and driver.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus offered power-adjustable, heated, and cooled front seats across all trims, with the Black Label model featuring 24-way Perfect Position front seats with massage and extended heating functions. The rear seats provided 43 inches of legroom, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The Lincoln Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images for relaxation. Cargo space was generous, with 36 cubic feet behind the second row and 71 cubic feet with seats folded down, though slightly less in higher trims. The Nautilus seated five, prioritizing cargo space over additional seating.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model featured snug front seats with enhanced bolstering, though the bottom cushions were less comfortable over long drives. The rear seats offered ample room and comfort, with optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated features. Interior storage was practical, though some compartments lacked lining. The RX Hybrid provided 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though this was less than the Nautilus.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured a stunning 48-inch curved display, with customizable sections for various information. An 11.1-inch touchscreen handled basic infotainment duties, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. While some controls required navigating menus, the inclusion of Google Maps and Alexa Built-in enhanced the experience. Wireless charging and USB ports were standard, though some controls were distracting due to their design.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen display with the Lexus Interface infotainment system. While some features were optional, the system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and cloud-based navigation. The RX Hybrid's technology worked well, though some controls were distracting, and occasional glitches occurred. The optional Mark Levinson audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus included the Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite of ADAS features, such as lane-keeping assist, park assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Blue Cruise 1.2 technology offered hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, with automatic lane-change assist and In-Lane Repositioning. The 2023 Nautilus received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the 2024 model had not yet been rated.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Safety Connect and Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Predictive Driving Assist system monitored progress and ensured safe distances. The RX Hybrid received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS rated it poorly in frontal-impact tests. The optional Convenience Package added a surround-view camera, enhancing safety.