2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2025 Subaru Outback

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. The interior was equally impressive, highlighted by a full-width screen that served as the crown jewel. High-quality materials, ambient lighting, and textures like open-pore wood and fine leather adorned the cabin, although the piano key shifter style was a traditional Lincoln element that some might not favor. An optional Jet Appearance Package added two-tone paint, black exterior trim, and unique interior elements for an additional cost.

In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Outback stood out as one of the few remaining wagons in the U.S., adopting crossover trends with chunky wheel-arch flares and a robust roof rack setup. Its design was intended for off-road adventures, with a rugged exterior that communicated its capability. The Crimson Red Pearl paint paired well with the black leather interior, though earthy shades were considered more fitting. Subaru focused on catering to buyers who needed a vehicle capable of handling dirt roads, a strategy that proved successful with its best-selling models. The Outback's design was practical, with a lower-slung chassis for easy entry and exit, and a flat-four engine contributing to a low center of gravity for agile handling.

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. This setup provided smooth power delivery and unobtrusive shifts. For an additional $1,500, a hybrid option offered 310 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque, and an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in combined driving, with a range exceeding 600 miles. All Nautilus models featured all-wheel drive and five drive modes, with an adaptive suspension available for enhanced performance. The hybrid's CVT was well-tuned, avoiding the typical droning associated with such transmissions, though the Nautilus was not positioned as a driver's car.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines ran on regular unleaded gas and were paired with a CVT and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided better acceleration, making the XT model a recommended choice for those who could afford the upgrade. The Outback's 8.7 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode enhanced its off-road capabilities, with the Wilderness model offering even more ground clearance and additional off-road features. The Outback's ride was smooth and comfortable, though the stop/start technology and CVT had some drawbacks.

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 seats provided 43 inches of legroom, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. 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, though slightly less in higher trims. The Nautilus seated five, prioritizing cargo space over additional seating rows.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's wagon shape provided practicality, with easy entry and exit and a lower roof height for convenient roof rack loading. Its cargo space measured 32.6 cubic feet with the rear seat up and 75.6 cubic feet with the bench folded, offering a flat floor and square shape for optimal use. The Outback's total passenger volume of 109 cubic feet surpassed its crossover competitors, though the rear seat was slightly smaller. Buyers were advised to test different trims, as the driving experience varied significantly. The Outback's towing capacity increased from 2,700 to 3,500 pounds with the turbocharged engine.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured a striking 48-inch curved display, with customizable sections for various information. An 11.1-inch touchscreen handled basic infotainment tasks, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. HVAC controls were accessible via permanent icons, though vent adjustments required navigating menus. Unlabeled steering wheel controls added to the distraction, though Google Maps, Alexa Built-in, and OTA updates were appreciated. Wireless charging and multiple USB ports were standard.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's technology package included an 11.6-inch touchscreen with large icons, though the Starlink infotainment system was slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, with wireless connectivity except in the base model. The Harman Kardon audio system performed well, though navigational commands occasionally limited audio output. The dashboard featured a mix of buttons and knobs, with some functions requiring touchscreen interaction. The Outback Touring included a CD player and both USB-A and USB-C ports.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with the Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite, featuring 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 NHTSA and IIHS, though the 2024 model had not yet been rated.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured EyeSight driver-assist technology, with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The DriverFocus system monitored for driver distraction, though it occasionally issued false notifications. The 2024 Outback earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with the 2025 model expected to perform similarly.