2026 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus exuded a stately presence with its distinctive grille, reminiscent of a horse collar, adorned with the Lincoln star trim elements in chrome, copper, or black, depending on the trim level. The large Lincoln logo was prominently displayed at the center, flanked by squinting eye-slit headlights with winged LED light signatures. Its wide and proud stance was accentuated by a contrasting black roof and pillars, with integrated door handles in the shoulder line. The body featured a spear-shaped design element along the upper doors, complemented by Nautilus lettering and a trim strip above the rocker panels. The rear boasted a spoiler and a full-width taillight within a black trim piece, all sitting on standard 19-inch alloy wheels, with larger options available. Inside, the Nautilus offered a unique, high-end look with a 48-inch screen at the base of the windshield, requiring a lowered steering wheel with a flat top. The interior layout, though functional, was unconventional, with a stepped design from the low-set center console to the wide display screen. Upholstery options ranged from synthetic leather in the base trim to luxurious leather in the top Black Label model, featuring design themes like Chalet and Aurora.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, particularly in its top Platinum trim, presented a conservative yet familiar design, drawing inspiration from the popular RAV4. Its Storm Cloud paint, a flat grayish blue, added a touch of sophistication. The interior emphasized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim, though glossy hard plastics and unlined storage surfaces were evident. The climate system was straightforward, with large knobs for temperature adjustments, but the infotainment interface had a tiny volume knob and lacked a tuning knob. The Grand Highlander offered seating for up to eight, with ample cargo space, making it a practical choice for families. The interior featured a mix of leather and artificial suede upholstery, with heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The second-row captain’s chairs provided easy access to the third row, which offered reasonable comfort for adults and tall teens. Cargo space was generous, with up to 97.5 cubic feet available when the second and third rows were folded.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus offered modest power for its price, with a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This setup was adequate for a typical midsize SUV but fell short of luxury expectations, especially given the vehicle's weight of over 4,500 pounds. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The hybrid variant, which was tested, featured a larger turbo and an electric motor, boosting output to 310 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It utilized a continuously variable transmission (CVT) designed for smooth, unobtrusive performance. The hybrid's 0-60 mph time improved to about 7 seconds, offering sufficient power for passing maneuvers. The Nautilus prioritized quiet, serene comfort over sportiness, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension. Adaptive dampers were available on higher trims, providing a soft ride even with the largest 22-inch wheels. The drive modes included Normal, Conserve, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with Excite offering slightly firmer dampers and higher revs for more accessible power.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max focused on performance with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 net horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate swiftly, with a traditional six-speed automatic transmission avoiding the droning typical of CVTs. The Hybrid Max traded some fuel efficiency for power, achieving 27 mpg compared to the standard hybrid's 36 mpg. It also offered a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. During testing, the Hybrid Max averaged 23.3 mpg on a mountainous route and was expected to achieve 24-25 mpg in typical driving conditions. The powertrain provided rewarding acceleration, with electric motors eliminating turbo lag for confident maneuvering. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though undulations in the road could cause some vertical and lateral movement. Handling was secure at moderate speeds, with early tire scrub and nose push when cornering aggressively. Visibility was excellent, aided by front, rear, and top-down cameras, though the front camera's frequent takeover of the infotainment screen was noted as a drawback.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus prioritized comfort for both front and second-row passengers, offering standard power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, and more. Higher trims added ventilated front seats, 24-way power front seats with massage functions, and heated rear seats. The second row provided 43.2 inches of legroom, accommodating two adults comfortably or three in a pinch. The rear seats folded down via power releases, offering 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats upright and 71.3 cubic feet when folded flat. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free version available for added convenience.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating across all three rows, with nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and supportive cushions. The second-row captain’s chairs allowed easy access to the third row, which provided reasonable comfort for adults and tall teens. Cargo space was generous, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.5 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. However, the long rear doors and sharp corners posed challenges for families with small children, and the lack of underfloor storage behind the third row was noted.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus featured a unique approach to technology with a full-width 48-inch screen at the base of the windshield, displaying essential information such as maps, weather, and fuel levels. An 11.1-inch touchscreen handled typical infotainment controls, including navigation, climate settings, and phone mirroring via wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard features included a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, digital key, satellite radio, remote start, and a wireless smartphone charger. Audio options ranged from a standard 10-speaker system to a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D unit. The Black Label trim offered Lincoln Rejuvenate, a relaxation program using scent, seating adjustments, and calming images on the screen. The steering wheel featured five-way controllers for cruise control and voice commands, with a central volume dial on the console.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, in its higher trims, offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Toyota Connected Services provided features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, automatic collision notification, and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, and the Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and surround-view camera system. The JBL premium audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

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 required driver attention and occasionally disengaged unexpectedly. The Nautilus earned a perfect five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, missing the Top Safety Pick+ due to pending tests.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a range of standard safety features and driver-assistance technologies. Proactive Driving Assist was included but found to be irritating in some situations. The safety tech operated accurately, though the lane-keep assist occasionally strayed too close to lane markers. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to headlight performance and frontal-impact protection ratings.