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Lexus RX vs Lincoln Nautilus

2026 Lexus RX vs 2026 Lincoln Nautilus — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Lexus RX

2026 Lexus RX

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS1 – 2Lincoln Nautilus wins 2 of 3 categories
Lincoln Nautilus

2026 Lincoln Nautilus

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Lexus RX is more fuel-efficient: 36 vs 30 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $50 a year less in fuel for the Lincoln Nautilus (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The two cars

The 2026 Lexus RX is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. It measures about 193 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,288 lb (350 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and part-time 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 193 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,350 lb (4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2022 RX and the 2022 Nautilus have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2017 RX and the 2019 Nautilus.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

36 MPG
Best combined MPG
30 MPG
37 city
City / highway MPG (best)
29 city
$2,300
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,250

Performance & space

275 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
–
5
Seats (most)
–
192.5 in
Length
193.3 in
75.6 in
Width
79.9 in
67.3 in
Height
68.1 in
4,288 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,350 lb

Safety & reliability

12
Driver-assist features standard
13
3
Recalls (2026)
3
26
Recalls, all years since 2005
26
12
Owner complaints (latest year)
12

Interest

22,684
Wikipedia views, 30 days
5,131

Buying used

2022
Best used year
2022
2017
Year to avoid
2019

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Lexus RX if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (36 vs 30 MPG)

Choose the Lincoln Nautilus if…

It doesn't clearly beat the Lexus RX on any measure we track.

Pros & cons of each

2026 Lexus RX

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 39% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Modest powerUp to 275 hp, versus about 355 hp for similar 2026 models.

2026 Lincoln Nautilus

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 30 MPG combined — 16% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Lexus RX specs →Full 2026 Lincoln Nautilus specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →