2026 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus exuded a stately presence with its distinctive grille, reminiscent of a horse collar, featuring black mesh and customizable Lincoln star trim elements in chrome, copper, or black. 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 was adorned with a spear-shaped design element along the upper doors, featuring 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, complemented by standard 19-inch alloy wheels, with options for larger sizes. 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 featured a stepped design, culminating in the wide display screen, with upholstery options ranging from synthetic leather to luxurious leather themes in the top Black Label model.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid presented a rugged and sporty design, available in the Woodland and three Sport grades, including the exclusive GR Sport. The sixth-generation RAV4 maintained its footprint but featured buffer bumpers for added length. Its boxy, truck-like presence was consistent with Toyota's new SUVs, with boxy wheel arches and bulges over the fenders. The Woodland trim emphasized its ruggedness with a wide front fascia, solid panels replacing fog lights, and chunky all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels. The Sport trims showcased gloss black accents and racier elements, with the GR Sport featuring red brake calipers, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and a wide mesh grille. The charge port location varied by trim, and the interior offered mild differentiation with accents like red stitching on the GR Sport. The RAV4 PHEV's interior featured a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen system, with a wide center console housing a mechanical gear shifter and stylish drive mode knobs.

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 was adequate for a typical midsize SUV, but luxury buyers expected more, especially given its 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 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It utilized a continuously variable transmission (CVT) designed for a quiet and serene driving experience. The hybrid's 0-60 mph time improved to about 7 seconds, though still middling for a luxury vehicle. The Nautilus prioritized comfort over sportiness, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension. Adaptive dampers were available on higher trims, offering a buttery smooth ride, though handling remained soft and spongy.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, rated at 186 horsepower, and a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack. This resulted in a power increase to 324 hp, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. All-wheel drive was standard, with a large front motor rated at 203 hp and 201 lb-ft of torque, and a smaller rear motor for assistance and traction. In EV mode, the RAV4 PHEV excelled at quiet cruising, while Auto mode delivered a satisfying power band with a 0-60 mph time in the low five seconds. The hybrid system offered seamless power transitions, with paddle shifters allowing manual control. The RAV4 PHEV's ride was spirited yet comfortable, with a strengthened chassis for improved rigidity. The GR Sport trim featured enhanced handling attributes, with a lower ride height and performance tires, providing a sportier driving experience.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus prioritized comfort for both front and rear passengers. It came standard with power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, and ambient lighting. Higher trims offered ventilated front seats, 24-way power front seats with massage functions, and heated rear seats. The second row provided excellent space with 43.2 inches of legroom, accommodating two adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 36.4 cubic feet available with the rear 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 RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid maintained its dimensions from the previous generation, optimizing interior space with clever storage features. The base SE trim was well-equipped with a power driver's seat, heated front seats, and multiple USB ports. The interior offered adequate bolstering and thigh support, with synthetic leather upholstery on higher trims. The RAV4 PHEV's interior featured storage shelves, a wireless device charger, and deep door pockets. Passenger space was comfortable for four, with 37.8 inches of rear legroom. Cargo space was slightly reduced compared to the standard RAV4, with 33.6 cubic feet available and 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The cargo area featured an even flat floor and a temporary spare tire.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus showcased 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 media. 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, and a wireless smartphone charger. The audio system ranged from a standard 10-speaker setup to a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D unit. The top Black Label trim offered Lincoln Rejuvenate, a relaxation program utilizing scent, seating, and lighting to provide calming experiences.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen on top trims. The touchscreen offered customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to settings. The digital displays were standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Toyota's new operating system, Arene, improved responsiveness and loading times. The Voice Assistant responded to a wide range of prompts, and a built-in dash cam recorded clips from exterior cameras. The system also provided data for the plug-in hybrid system, including charging schedules and a range map.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering, and lane-keep assist. It also featured blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. Lincoln BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system, was standard, offering automatic lane changes on mapped highways. The Nautilus earned a perfect five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features. It included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control with limited hands-free driving. Blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alerts, and a safe-exit alert were also standard. The RAV4 PHEV's safety enhancements aimed to improve responsiveness and detection, contributing to its strong safety record. The 2025 RAV4 received a five-star rating from the NHTSA, and the 2026 model was expected to address previous shortcomings.