Compare the2023 BMW X6VS 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The X6’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Nautilus doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X6 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X6 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Nautilus doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X6. But it costs extra on the Nautilus.

The X6’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X6 and the Nautilus have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

Warranty

The X6’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Nautilus’ (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X6 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Lincoln only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Nautilus.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 14 places higher in reliability than Lincoln.

Engine

The X6’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 85 more horsepower (335 vs. 250) and 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 280) than the Nautilus’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X6 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 188 more horsepower (523 vs. 335) and 173 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 380) than the Nautilus’ optional 2.7 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW X6 is faster than the Lincoln Nautilus:

	X6 6 cyl. hybrid gas	X6 M50i	Nautilus turbo 4 cyl.	Nautilus turbo V6
Zero to 60 MPH	5.2 sec	3.3 sec	7.3 sec	5.8 sec
Quarter Mile	13.8 sec	11.6 sec	15.6 sec	14.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99.9 MPH	119.5 MPH	88.8 MPH	95.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X6 gets better mileage than the Nautilus:

			MPG
X6
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/25 hwy
Nautilus
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/25 hwy
		2.7 turbo V6	19 city/25 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the X6’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X6 has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Nautilus (21.9 vs. 18 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The X6’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Nautilus doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X6 M Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Nautilus:

	X6 M Sport	Nautilus
Front Rotors	15.6 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	14.6 inches	12.4 inches
Opt Rear Rotors		13.6 inches

The X6’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Nautilus are solid, not vented.

The X6 stops much shorter than the Nautilus:

	X6	Nautilus
60 to 0 MPH	102 feet	117 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X6 has larger standard tires than the Nautilus (275/45R20 vs. 245/60R18). The X6’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Nautilus (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 265/40R21).

The X6’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Nautilus’ standard 60 series tires. The X6’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Nautilus’ optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X6 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Nautilus. The X6’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Nautilus.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X6 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Nautilus doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The X6 M50i offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Nautilus doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X6 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lincoln doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Nautilus.

The X6 has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X6’s wheelbase is 4.9 inches longer than on the Nautilus (117.1 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X6 is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Nautilus.

The X6 M50i handles at .97 G’s, while the Nautilus Reserve AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X6 M50i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.5 seconds quicker than the Nautilus Reserve AWD (24.1 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the X6 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Nautilus doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Towing

The X6’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Nautilus’ (5952 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lincoln Nautilus is only 3500 pounds. The X6 offers up to a 7200 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the X6 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Nautilus. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Lincoln. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 12% lower rating, Lincoln is ranked 12th.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Nautilus, the X6 M50i has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X6 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the X6 and the Nautilus have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X6 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Nautilus prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The X6’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Nautilus’ cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The X6 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The X6’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Nautilus’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X6 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Nautilus doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X6 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Nautilus doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the X6 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Nautilus’ mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The X6’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Nautilus (except Standard)’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the X6 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X6 with a number “1” insurance rate while the Nautilus is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the X6 is less expensive to operate than the Nautilus because typical repairs cost less on the X6 than the Nautilus, including $178 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X6 first among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Nautilus isn’t in the top three in its category.

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