2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2025 Toyota Sienna

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. The cabin boasted high-quality materials, ambient lighting, and textures like open-pore wood and fine leather. Despite the traditional piano key shifter style, the interior offered a luxurious experience. An optional Jet Appearance Package added two-tone paint, black exterior trim, and unique interior elements for an additional $3,000.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna maintained the classic minivan silhouette but attempted to add style with a trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines. The Platinum trim introduced new flower-petal wheel designs, replacing the previous split-five-spoke design. Despite these efforts, the Sienna still resembled a minivan, prioritizing practicality over aesthetics. The top-of-the-line Platinum model featured a new Magnetic Gray paint color and a range of accessories, bringing the MSRP to $58,634. The interior updates included a new woodgrain finish, though opinions on its appeal varied. While the Sienna's interior looked improved, it still faced criticism for certain design choices.

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 delivered smooth power application and unobtrusive shifts. However, the hybrid option, available for an additional $1,500, offered 310 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque, and an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in combined driving. The hybrid's range exceeded 600 miles, making it a practical choice for long journeys. 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 balance of performance and comfort.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna relied solely on a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The front-wheel-drive model delivered 245 horsepower, which, while modest, was sufficient for city driving and highway cruising. The Sienna's hybrid system prioritized fuel economy, achieving an EPA rating of 36 mpg in combined driving. However, during testing, it averaged 26.3 mpg. The Sienna's handling was predictable but lacked excitement, with squishy steering and brakes that struggled during demanding situations. The XSE trim offered a sport-tuned suspension for a slightly more engaging drive, but overall, the Sienna prioritized comfort and practicality.

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 for ultimate comfort. The rear seats provided ample legroom, with 43 inches available, surpassing competitors like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The Lincoln Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images to create a relaxing atmosphere. Cargo space measured 36 cubic feet behind the second row and 71 cubic feet with the seats folded down in the Premiere trim. The Nautilus accommodated five passengers, prioritizing cargo space over additional seating.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna excelled in form and function, offering power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats. However, the cushions felt hard during extended drives. The Platinum trim's second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with passengers, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna's sliding side doors and hands-free power liftgate facilitated easy loading and unloading. Cargo space measured 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with the third-row seats stowed. Maximum cargo capacity reached 101 cubic feet, though it fell short compared to rivals due to the non-removable second-row seats.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured a striking 48-inch curved display, with a digital dash for the driver and customizable sections for various information. The center console housed an 11.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. While HVAC controls were accessible, adjusting vents required navigating menus, which could be distracting. Unlabeled steering wheel controls added to the distraction, though Google Maps and Alexa Built-in provided convenient voice controls. Wireless charging and USB ports were standard throughout the cabin.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) system. The Platinum trim included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display (HUD), and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered various connected services plans, with the digital assistant responding accurately to commands. The JBL premium audio system provided decent sound quality, though excessive bass was noted. The four-zone climate control system and digital rearview camera added convenience, while the HUD enhanced safety by displaying critical information.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with the Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite of ADAS features, including lane-keeping assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and emergency braking. The standout feature was the hands-free/eyes-up Blue Cruise 1.2 technology, available as a trial on lower trims and standard on the Black Label. Blue Cruise combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, with automatic lane-change assist and In-Lane Repositioning. The 2024 Nautilus had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2023 model received high scores for crash protection.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured TSS 2.0, an older version of Toyota's safety suite, which some preferred for its less intrusive approach. TSS 2.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. While the technologies generally performed well, the adaptive cruise control required vigilance in urban areas. The Sienna introduced a new rear-seat reminder system, enhancing safety for families. The NHTSA awarded the Sienna a five-star overall rating, though it received lower scores for frontal crash protection.