2027 Chevrolet Bolt vs 2026 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus had a stately and commanding presence, characterized by its distinctive grille that hinted at a horse collar design. The grille's mesh was black across all models, but the Lincoln star trim elements varied in chrome, copper, or black, depending on the trim level or appearance package. A prominent Lincoln logo adorned the center, flanked by squinting eye-slit headlights with winged LED light signatures. The body sat wide and proud, featuring a contrasting black roof and pillars. Integrated door handles were cleverly hidden within the shoulder line, while the slab sides were accentuated by a spear-shaped design element along the upper doors, which included Nautilus lettering. The rear boasted a spoiler and a full-width taillight within a black trim piece, also featuring Lincoln lettering. Standard 19-inch alloy wheels were available, with options for 20s, 21s, and 22s on higher trims. The Jet Appearance package added satin dark luster wheels, body-color wheel arches, and black accents for a more aggressive look.

Inside, the Nautilus adopted a unique, high-end aesthetic with a large 48-inch screen at the base of the windshield, necessitating a lower steering wheel with a flat top for unobstructed views. This layout created a stepped cockpit design, starting with a low-set center console, moving up to the infotainment touchscreen, and culminating in the wide display screen. The base Premiere trim offered black or gray synthetic leather upholstery, while the Reserve trim upgraded to leather with a chocolate brown option. The top Black Label model featured two design themes: Chalet, with a cream and brown interior, and Aurora, with dark blue and brown leather and synthetic suede, evoking a modern, high-end office feel.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV returned with a familiar look, maintaining its position between a large hatchback and a subcompact SUV. The front end resembled a conventional gas-powered car more than an EV, with a thin slot behind the Chevy Bowtie logo and an integrated grille insert in the bumper. The 2027 model continued the design language of the 2023 version, offering a single body style. Its tall and narrow stance gave it an econobox-like footprint, prioritizing utility and interior space over sportiness. The RS model added gloss black exterior trim for a touch of flair.

Inside, the Bolt underwent a more dramatic makeover while retaining its basic structure. A larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen dominated the dashboard. The push-button gear selector moved to the steering column, freeing up center console storage space. Hard plastic surfaces dominated the cabin, reinforcing the Bolt's budget feel, though elbow touch points had thin padding. The base LT trim featured cloth upholstery, while the RS trim upgraded to Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching. The rear seating area also had an abundance of hard plastics, lacking padding for the door armrests.

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 the vehicle's weight of over 4,500 pounds. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The hybrid variant, which was tested, used the same engine with a larger turbo and an electric motor, boosting output to 310 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It employed a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that kept the powertrain in the background, offering a 0-60 mph time of about 7 seconds. The Nautilus prioritized quiet, serene comfort over sportiness, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension with steel springs. Adaptive dampers on the Reserve and Black Label trims varied from soft to softer, providing a buttery smooth ride even with the largest 22-inch wheels.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and requiring fewer rare earth minerals. A motor from Chevy's Equinox EV delivered 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, with a 0-60 mph time similar to the previous Bolt EV, in the low seven-second range. While this acceleration was slow by EV standards, it was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs. One-pedal driving was available, with medium or high levels of brake regeneration. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, with road noise more noticeable due to the absence of an internal combustion engine. The Bolt EV was agile on curvy roads, thanks to its low center of gravity from the heavy battery. On a full charge, the EPA estimated a range of up to 262 miles, an improvement of 15 miles over its predecessor. Charging speed increased to 150 kW, allowing a recharge from 10% to 80% in 25 minutes.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus emphasized 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, 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 behind the rear seats and 71.3 cubic feet when folded flat. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free version available.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV had an upright driving position, offering ample space for larger occupants. Taller drivers might have wished for more telescoping extension from the steering wheel. The rear seats were also upright, with plenty of headroom and adequate thigh support. The Bolt could hold up to 16.2 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor in its upper position. Up front, there was ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with movable dividers, a big floor tray, and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus featured a full-width, 48-inch screen at the base of the windshield, displaying essential information such as maps, weather, and fuel level. 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 Black Label trim included Lincoln Rejuvenate, offering relaxation programs with scent, seating adjustments, and calming images.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, requiring Bluetooth pairing for personal music libraries. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and a wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and quick responses. The Bolt's navigation system could locate charging stations and precondition the battery for optimal charging rates. Vehicle-to-load charging was also available, allowing the Bolt to serve as a backup power source for a home.

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, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors, and automatic emergency braking. Lincoln BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system, was also standard, though it had some quirks, such as disengaging in certain conditions. The Nautilus earned a perfect five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV's crash test results were not yet available, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving system was available for an additional cost.