2026 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2026 Lexus TX

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus exuded a stately presence with its distinctive grille, reminiscent of a horse collar, featuring black mesh and varying trim elements in chrome, copper, or black, depending on the trim level. The large Lincoln logo was prominently displayed at the center, flanked by sleek, eye-slit headlights with winged LED light signatures. The body of the Nautilus sat wide and proud, accentuated by a contrasting black roof and pillars. Integrated door handles maintained a clean shoulder line, while spear-shaped design elements along the upper doors added a touch of elegance. The rear was marked by a spoiler and a full-width taillight within a black trim piece, all resting 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, featuring 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 higher trims, with design themes like Chalet and Aurora adding a touch of sophistication.

The 2026 Lexus TX presented a variety of trim levels, with the TX 350 offering Base, Premium, Luxury, and F Sport Handling specs, while the 500h hybrid came in F Sport Performance Premium and F Sport Performance Luxury trims. The 550h+ plug-in hybrid was exclusive to the top Luxury trim. For 2026, the 550h+ featured a standard panoramic glass roof and a new Matador Red Mica paint option. Most models sported 20-inch wheels, but the 550h+ boasted 22-inch wheels. The grille retained a large, spindle shape, complemented by sharp bi-LED headlights. The rear featured LED lighting spanning the vehicle's width, topped with a small roof spoiler. Inside, the TX offered multi-zone climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom. However, the interior materials fell short of luxury standards, with basic plastics present. Redesigned door handles added a modern touch, though some might have preferred more attention to detail elsewhere.

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 left luxury buyers wanting more, especially given the vehicle's weight of over 4,500 pounds. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and came standard with all-wheel drive. The hybrid variant, which was tested, featured the same engine with a larger turbo and an electric motor, boosting output to 310 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. This setup used a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and improved the 0-60 mph time to about 7 seconds. 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, offering a range of drive modes, including Normal, Conserve, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. Despite its soft handling, the Nautilus provided a smooth ride, even with the largest 22-inch wheels.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a range of powertrains, with the base model delivering 317 horsepower from a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The plug-in hybrid test car, however, generated an impressive 404 horsepower from its 3.5-liter V6 and hybrid system. The onboard seven-kilowatt charger allowed for a full battery charge in under three hours. The TX provided various drive options, including electric-only, hybrid, and gasoline-only modes, with Normal, Eco, Sport, and Custom drive modes available. The 550h+ offered a quiet and smooth ride, with seamless transitions between gas and electric power. The suspension effectively absorbed bumps, and the brakes were firm and linear. The AWD system could distribute power between the front and rear wheels, with a Trail Mode for slippery surfaces. The TX 550h+ was ideal for long road trips, offering a comfortable and composed driving experience.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus prioritized comfort for both front and second-row passengers. Standard features included power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, active noise cancellation, ambient lighting, and a power tilt/telescoping steering column. 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 and sculpted seats. 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.

Inside the 2026 Lexus TX 550h+, standard luxury features included multi-zone climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The test car featured captain’s chairs in the second row, with a removable center console. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom. Each seat had its own cupholder and USB-C port. A one-touch button facilitated entry into the third row, though folding the second row flat was more complicated. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The climate controls were mostly on the screen, with physical dials for temperature adjustments. Cargo space was excellent, with 20.2 cubic feet available with all seats in place, expanding to 97 cubic feet with the second row folded. All TX models could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

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 audio functions. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, a digital key, satellite radio, remote start, 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 using scent, seating position, and calming images on the 48-inch screen.

The 2026 Lexus TX's technology was a mixed bag. The 14-inch color touchscreen was user-friendly and responsive, but some features lacked polish. Steering wheel buttons controlled volume and adaptive cruise control, but their multi-functional nature and lack of labels made them confusing. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard but occasionally conflicted with the native audio system. A subscription was required for in-dash navigation and other features. The back-up camera offered a clear view, with an available bird’s-eye view and Advanced Park system. The TX also featured seven USB ports and wireless charging, with an available 120-volt outlet in the second row.

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, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, exit warning, front and rear parking sensors, a driver-attention monitor, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and intersection assist, and front and rear automatic emergency braking. Lincoln BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system, was also standard, though it had some quirks. The Nautilus earned a perfect five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The 2026 Lexus TX featured the Safety System+ 3.0 as standard, including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, Lane Tracing Assist, lane departure warning with steering assist, traffic sign recognition, and Proactive Driving Assist. The adaptive cruise control worked well once set up, though it was initially confusing. The TX 350 and TX 500h received five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the TX an "Acceptable" rating for the small overlap front crash test on the driver’s side and a "Good" rating for the passenger’s side.