2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus presented a sophisticated and streamlined exterior, available in Premiere, Reserve, or Black Label trims. Its design featured a new grille reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz, with LED lighting extending through the grille to illuminate 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. A unique design twist was the placement of door handles high on the profile, integrated into the beltline. Inside, the Nautilus boasted an impressive full-width screen, complemented by high-quality materials like open-pore wood and fine leather, ambient lighting, and polished metal accents. Despite the traditional piano key shifter style, the interior was luxurious, with an optional Jet Appearance Package adding two-tone paint and black exterior trim for an extra $3,000.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, tested in snowy conditions near Mount Rainier National Park, showcased its capability with the Rock Creek trim. Equipped with 3-Peak Mud-and-Snow-rated Toyo Open Country AT3 tires, standard all-wheel drive, and seven selectable driving modes, including a dedicated snow mode, the Pathfinder handled the challenging terrain with ease. Redesigned for the 2022 model year, the Pathfinder featured an assertive front end, protective cladding, and a stylishly slanted C-pillar. The Rock Creek trim further enhanced its adventurous look with a V-Motion grille, stacked LED lighting elements, and a metal roof rack. Despite its rugged appearance, the Pathfinder was a unibody crossover, lacking additional ground clearance and protective skid plates. Inside, the Rock Creek offered leatherette-and-cloth upholstery with bright orange "Rock Creek" logos, while higher trims provided more luxurious seating options.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For an additional $1,500, buyers could opt for a hybrid setup, increasing output to 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA estimated 30 mpg in combined driving. The hybrid also offered a range of over 600 miles. All Nautilus models featured all-wheel drive and five drive modes, with an available adaptive suspension enhancing performance in various conditions. The hybrid's CVT was smooth, avoiding the typical droning associated with such transmissions.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, with output varying by trim. The S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims delivered 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque, while the Rock Creek trim offered 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. A nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous CVT, providing decisive shifts. The Pathfinder's maximum towing capacity reached 6,000 pounds with the Platinum and Rock Creek trims, thanks to a standard transmission oil cooler. The Pathfinder's ride was soft, suitable for light off-roading but less composed on twisty roads. Fuel economy for the Rock Creek trim was 20 mpg city, 23 highway, and 21 combined, with other 4WD trims slightly more efficient.

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. Rear passengers enjoyed 43 inches of legroom, surpassing competitors like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The Lincoln Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images for relaxation. Cargo space measured 36 cubic feet behind the second row and 71 cubic feet with seats folded in the Premiere trim, slightly less in higher trims. The Nautilus seated five, prioritizing cargo space over a third row.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, though smaller than some competitors, provided ample interior space. During a ski trip with four adults, it accommodated skis, luggage, and groceries comfortably. Cargo space was 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 45 cubic feet with it folded, and 80.5 cubic feet with both rows down. The Rock Creek trim featured captain’s chairs and a removable center console in the second row. The Pathfinder's EZ Flex Seating System allowed easy access to the third row without removing car seats, enhancing practicality for families.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured a striking 48-inch curved display, with a customizable digital dash and an 11.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though adjusting vents required navigating menus. Unlabeled steering wheel controls were a distraction, but Google Maps, Alexa Built-in, and over-the-air updates were appreciated. Wireless charging and USB ports were available throughout the cabin.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder's technology lagged behind competitors, with an older interface compared to other Nissans. The 8-inch screen in lower trims and 9-inch in higher trims were smaller than rivals. A 6-speaker stereo was standard, with a 13-speaker Bose system available on higher trims. NissanConnect supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless projection limited to Apple devices on the 9-inch screen. Voice recognition, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM were standard, while navigation and a head-up display were reserved for higher trims.

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

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and rear automatic braking. Adaptive cruise control and ProPilot Assist were standard on all but the base trim, with traffic sign recognition available on higher trims.