2026 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was offered in two trim levels, with the base model named the 1958, a nod to its debut year in the US. This version had a retro aesthetic, featuring round headlights, cloth seats, and basic equipment, available in three paint colors. Priced at $58,195, it was a more affordable option, but the Land Cruiser model, priced at $62,965, was considered the better choice. This version boasted a modern, upscale look, a wider color palette, and a more refined interior with larger screens and essential off-roading enhancements. The Premium Package added leather and advanced tech, elevating the MSRP to $71,004. Despite its utilitarian design, the Land Cruiser's interior was more sophisticated than the 1958, with Java-colored leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens enhancing its appeal.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus had a stately presence, with a distinctive grille and sleek LED headlights. Its wide body featured a contrasting black roof and integrated door handles, with design elements like spear-shaped accents and full-width taillights adding to its elegance. Standard 19-inch alloy wheels could be upgraded to larger sizes, and the Jet Appearance package offered additional styling options. Inside, the Nautilus showcased a high-end look with a unique layout centered around a 48-inch screen. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with options for leather upholstery and design themes like Chalet and Aurora. The Nautilus prioritized comfort over sportiness, with adaptive dampers and various drive modes enhancing its serene ride quality.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with a full-time 4WD system and electronic locking differentials, allowing for a 6,000-pound towing capacity. Standard features included Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control, while the Land Cruiser model added Multi-Terrain Select modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. Despite an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing yielded only 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer, though it struggled on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning. Its off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like the front stabilizer bar disconnect and Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus offered a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The hybrid variant, which was tested, featured a larger turbo and an electric motor, boosting output to 310 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, with a CVT for smooth operation. The hybrid improved the 0-60 mph time to about 7 seconds. The Nautilus prioritized quiet, comfortable rides over sportiness, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. Adaptive dampers on higher trims provided a soft ride, with drive modes like Normal, Conserve, and Excite adjusting the vehicle's dynamics. The ride remained smooth even with large wheels, though rippled surfaces could cause some jiggling.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered SofTex artificial leather upholstery in the upgraded model, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. While the front seats were comfortable, the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The rear window design was less practical, and the center console's cool box reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser provided 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though the high load floor required effort to load heavy items.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus emphasized comfort with power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a heated steering wheel. Higher trims offered ventilated front seats, 24-way power seats with massage, and heated rear seats. The second row provided 43.2 inches of legroom, with sculpted seats and a fold-down armrest. Cargo space was 36.4 cubic feet with the rear seats upright, expanding to 71.3 cubic feet when folded. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available for convenience.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured dual 12.3-inch displays in the upgraded model, with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. Five connected service plans were available, including Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, wireless smartphone charger, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and digital key technology.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus showcased a 48-inch screen at the base of the windshield, displaying essential information. An 11.1-inch touchscreen handled infotainment controls, with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, digital key, and remote start. Audio options included a 10-speaker system, a 14-speaker Revel system, and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D unit. The Black Label trim offered Lincoln Rejuvenate, combining scent, seating, lighting, and temperature for relaxation programs, with calming images displayed on the screen.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional features included a road sign reader, automatic high-beam headlights, and Predictive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact testing and a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors, and automatic emergency braking. Lincoln BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system, was standard, though it had some limitations. The Nautilus earned a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, missing the Top Safety Pick+ due to pending testing.