2026 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary improvements seen in its predecessors, maintaining its attractive design. The most noticeable update was the front fascia, featuring a frameless grille with a curved wing bar that seamlessly connected with the headlights, creating a distinctive smile-like appearance. The aerodynamic air inlets and outlets integrated into the black plastic cladding around the wheel arches were a thoughtful touch, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing road noise. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort, with a straightforward design that prioritized function. The cabin featured soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics, with gray StarTex seats accented by orange contrast stitching. The Limited Hybrid trim added upscale touches like chrome-trimmed power window switches and a heated steering wheel, while an optional power moonroof contributed to an airy atmosphere.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus exuded a stately presence with its wide body and contrasting black roof and pillars. The grille, reminiscent of a horse collar, featured black mesh with Lincoln star trim elements available in chrome, copper, or blacked out, depending on the trim. The squinting eye-slit headlights with winged LED light signatures flanked the large Lincoln logo. The Nautilus' design included integrated door handles, a spear-shaped element along the upper doors, and a full-width taillight at the rear. The interior boasted a high-end look with a unique layout, featuring a large 48-inch screen at the base of the windshield. The cockpit had a stepped design, starting with a low-set center console and culminating in the wide display screen. The Nautilus offered various upholstery options, with the top Black Label model providing Chalet or Aurora design themes, each with its own luxurious color palette.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came standard with all-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission. It featured a 2.5-liter Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine paired with a 118-hp traction motor, delivering a total system output of 194 horsepower. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with quicker and smoother acceleration than its gas-only counterpart. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators, one for engine start/stop and battery charging, and the other as a drive motor and for regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 31 miles per gallon, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 36 mpg. Subaru's AWD system, combined with the X-Mode traction management system, provided superior capability on variable terrain compared to competitors like the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus offered a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The hybrid variant, which we tested, featured a larger turbo and an electric motor, boosting output to 310 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Despite the increased power, the Nautilus remained focused on quiet, serene comfort rather than sportiness. It featured a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension with adaptive dampers on higher trims. The Nautilus offered various drive modes, with Excite mode providing slightly firmer dampers and more accessible power. The ride was smooth, even with the largest 22-inch wheels, though rippled surfaces could cause some jiggling.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more horsepower and cargo space. With a cargo volume of 18.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.6 cubic feet with the rear row folded, it provided ample storage without the high trunk floor of previous models. The gas tank remained a generous 16.6 gallons, allowing for an impressive range of up to 597 miles. Rear-seat space was also commendable, with 36.7 inches of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. However, front storage was limited, with a small tray for a wireless charging pad and two cupholders.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus prioritized comfort for both front and rear passengers. It came standard 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 functions, and heated rear seats. The second row provided 43.2 inches of legroom, accommodating two adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 71.3 cubic feet when folded. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free version available for added convenience.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen standard on all trims, but the infotainment system lagged behind competitors. The software was slow, and the screen was prone to fingerprints. Many controls were touchscreen-based, which could be frustrating. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing an alternative to the Starlink software. The Limited Hybrid trim included a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, though the navigation map couldn't display Google Maps from phone projections.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus showcased a 48-inch screen at the base of the windshield, displaying essential information. An 11.1-inch touchscreen handled typical infotainment controls, with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Additional features included a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, digital key, satellite radio, and a wireless smartphone charger. The audio system ranged from a standard 10-speaker setup to a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D unit. The Black Label trim offered Lincoln Rejuvenate, a relaxation program using scent, seating, lighting, and visuals on the 48-inch screen.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid received mixed safety ratings. The IIHS did not award it a Top Safety Pick due to a Marginal score in the moderate overlap front crash test and an Acceptable in the side-impact test. Subaru addressed these issues by adding side-curtain airbags to the rear seats. The NHTSA gave the 2025 model five stars in its overall safety rating, but the 2026 model had not yet been rated. Subaru's EyeSight ADAS included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and automatic emergency braking.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering, and more. Lincoln BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system, was also standard, though it had some quirks, such as sensitivity to eye detection. The Nautilus scored well in crash tests, earning five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, missing the Top Safety Pick+ only due to pending tests.