2026 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus presented a stately appearance 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 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 and spear-shaped design elements along the upper doors added to its sophisticated look. The rear featured a spoiler and a full-width taillight within a black trim piece, all sitting on standard 19-inch alloy wheels, with larger options available. The interior boasted a unique, high-end design with a 48-inch screen at the base of the windshield, requiring a lowered steering wheel with a flat top. The cockpit had a stepped design, and the upholstery varied from synthetic leather in the base trim to luxurious leather options in higher trims, with design themes like Chalet and Aurora offering distinct color palettes.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, refreshed four years into its lifecycle, retained its upright stance, low belt line, and large windows, but introduced a new illuminated grille and welcome-lighting sequence inspired by the all-electric Wagoneer S. The Upland trim added front recovery hooks without compromising the elegant design. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer exuded modernity with clean design and strong horizontal lines. The 12-inch infotainment screen, though small for the vehicle's size, was complemented by redundant HVAC and audio controls. The seats, while plain in appearance, offered exceptional comfort and adjustability, making long drives pleasant. The cabin featured premium materials, with options for Nappa and Palermo leather, and a suede headliner. The overall fit and finish were impressive, with solid-feeling components throughout.

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 midsize SUV but fell short of luxury expectations, especially given the vehicle's weight of over 4,500 pounds. The hybrid variant, which we tested, improved performance with a larger turbo and an electric motor, boosting output to 310 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid used a CVT, providing a smooth and quiet ride, though acceleration remained middling for a luxury vehicle. The Nautilus prioritized comfort over sportiness, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. Adaptive dampers were available on higher trims, offering a range of drive modes, but the handling remained soft and spongy. Despite this, the ride was smooth, even with the largest 22-inch wheels.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came standard with a 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless power, even for the hefty 6,000-pound vehicle. Although the high-output Hurricane engine was no longer available, the standard engine still offered ample performance. The Grand Wagoneer was also set to receive a range-extended electric powertrain, promising 647 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque, with a total range of over 500 miles. Despite its large size, the Grand Wagoneer was surprisingly agile and easy to drive, with excellent visibility and a quiet cabin. The seats were comfortable for long journeys, and the vehicle absorbed road imperfections well.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus focused on comfort for both front and second-row passengers. It came standard with power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a heated steering wheel. Higher trims offered 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. 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 Jeep Grand Wagoneer excelled as a people mover, offering three rows with ample leg and hip room. The optional bench seat in the second row allowed for up to eight passengers, with the third row accommodating three people comfortably. While using the third row reduced cargo space to 27.9 cubic feet, a long-wheelbase version nearly doubled this capacity. The Grand Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped. It featured three-zone automatic climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and power-operated front seats. The Upland trim included off-road features like Quadra-Lift air suspension and skid plates.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus featured a full-width, 48-inch screen at the base of the windshield, displaying essential information like maps, weather, and fuel levels. An 11.1-inch touchscreen handled infotainment controls, including navigation, climate settings, and audio functions. Standard tech included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, a digital key, 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 adjustments, and calming images on the screen.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-inch touchscreen display, a 10.25-inch digital cluster, and a wireless phone charger. It also featured a hands-free power liftgate, three-zone automatic climate controls, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims offered a front console cooler, digital rearview mirror, a 23-speaker McIntosh sound system, and a front passenger interactive display. While the tech generally performed well, the wireless phone charger struggled to charge an iPhone 16, and the 12-inch infotainment screen felt small for the vehicle's size.

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 blind-spot monitors. It also featured Lincoln BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system for mapped highways. While effective, BlueCruise occasionally disengaged due to issues like sun glare on glasses. The Nautilus earned a perfect five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, missing the highest honor due to pending tests.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered a range of safety features, such as lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. Available features included automated parking assist and a surround-view camera system. The Grand Wagoneer received mixed safety ratings, with a four-star rating from the NHTSA and a combination of Good and Marginal scores from the IIHS. The surround-view camera system was particularly useful for navigating tight spaces.