2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, available exclusively in Reserve trim in Canada, showcased a sophisticated and streamlined exterior design, hinting at a new direction for Lincoln. Its grille, reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz's bifurcated design, featured LED lighting that extended through the grille, illuminating the Lincoln star logo. The rear mirrored this horizontal aesthetic with a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports. The interior was the highlight, with a full-width screen as its crown jewel. The materials used were of excellent quality, featuring polished metal, open-pore wood, and fine leather. The piano key shifter style, a Lincoln tradition since the mid-1950s, was a notable design element. An optional Jet Appearance Package added two-tone paint, black exterior trim, and 22-inch wheels for an additional $3,750.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, was a $90,000 SUV with an exclusive Incognito paint job and orange brake calipers. Despite these features, its overall appearance was unremarkable, with a large front grille and a dramatic swell in the rear haunches. The RX lineup included three models: the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+, each offering different power and efficiency levels. All models came with standard all-wheel drive in Canada, and various packages were available depending on the model. The RX's interior was contemporary, with quality materials and ambient lighting, though the controls ranged from baffling to brilliant. The RX avoided the single curved display approach, maintaining a unique interior design.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid setup, available for an additional $3,500, offered 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, with a fuel economy of 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The hybrid model also boasted a range of over 950 kilometres. The Nautilus featured all-wheel drive and five drive modes, with an adaptive suspension available for enhanced performance. The hybrid's continuously variable transmission (CVT) was surprisingly smooth, making the Nautilus a capable, if not sporty, vehicle.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models with varying performance. The RX 350h, the least powerful, had 246 horsepower and 233 lb-ft of torque, while the RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid delivered 304 horsepower. The RX 500h, with a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine, produced 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. The RX 500h featured a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension, 21-inch wheels, and Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. Despite its power, the RX 500h's fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 13.5 L/100 km during testing. The RX 500h excelled in straight-line acceleration but lacked dynamic communication, making it more about sporty appearance than driving satisfaction.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus offered power-adjustable, heated, and cooled front seats, with the 24-way Perfect Position seats providing exceptional comfort. The rear seats, while not as luxurious, offered 1,095 millimetres of legroom, surpassing competitors like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images for relaxation. Cargo space was generous, with 997 litres behind the second row and 1,947 litres with seats folded. The Nautilus was available only with seating for five, prioritizing cargo space over additional seating.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and cargo space, with the RX 500h's front seats offering enhanced bolstering but lacking long-term comfort. The rear seats were comfortable, with optional power-reclining, heating, and ventilation. The RX provided ample interior storage, though some compartments lacked lining. Cargo space was 838 litres, expandable to 1,308 litres with the second row folded. The RX's cargo area included practical features like grocery bag hooks and a cargo cover, though the latter could be cumbersome when loading larger items.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured a massive 48-inch curved display, with customizable sections for various information. A smaller 11.1-inch touchscreen handled basic infotainment duties, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The inclusion of Google Maps and Alexa Built-in enhanced voice controls, while over-the-air updates kept the system current. However, the unlabelled steering wheel controls and menu-driven vent adjustments were distracting. Wireless charging and multiple USB ports were standard.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid boasted high-tech features, including digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Lexus Interface infotainment system featured a 14-inch touchscreen with a conversational digital voice assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with SiriusXM satellite radio and cloud-based navigation. The RX's technology worked well, though some glitches were noted, and the steering wheel controls were frustratingly complex. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with the Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite of ADAS features, including lane-keeping assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and emergency braking. The Blue Cruise 1.2 technology offered hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, with features like automatic lane-change assist and In-Lane Repositioning. The 2023 Nautilus received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the 2024 model had not yet been rated.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid included Safety Connect, offering automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. The Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 provided a comprehensive suite of ADAS features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist monitored forward progress, while a surround-view camera was available. The RX received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS rated it poorly in some tests.