Compare the2023 Lincoln NautilusVS 2023 Audi A6 Allroad

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Nautilus are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Nautilus has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the A6 Allroad’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Nautilus has standard Cross-Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the A6 Allroad.

Both the Nautilus and the A6 Allroad have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lincoln Nautilus is safer than the Audi A6 Allroad:

	Nautilus	A6 Allroad
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	22.4%	30%
Neck Stress	229 lbs.	322 lbs.
Neck Compression	21 lbs.	64 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	282	354
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	35.2%	41%
Neck Stress	197 lbs.	228 lbs.
Neck Compression	44 lbs.	98 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	145/201 lbs.	263/331 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lincoln Nautilus is safer than the Audi A6 Allroad:

	Nautilus	A6 Allroad
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	84	135
Hip Force	192 lbs.	262 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	135
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	635 lbs.	716 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	257	395
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	425 lbs.	514 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Nautilus the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The A6 Allroad has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

Lincoln’s powertrain warranty covers the Nautilus 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A6 Allroad. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A6 Allroad ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Lincoln dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Nautilus’ warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Nautilus’ reliability 23 points higher than the A6 Allroad.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Nautilus first among midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The A6 Allroad isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lincoln vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lincoln above average in initial quality. With 72 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lincoln vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lincoln above average in long-term dependability. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

Engine

The Nautilus’ optional 2.7 turbo V6 produces 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (380 vs. 369) than the A6 Allroad’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lincoln Nautilus uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The A6 Allroad requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Nautilus has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lincoln Nautilus higher (6 out of 10) than the Audi A6 Allroad (5). This means the Nautilus produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A6 Allroad every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lincoln Nautilus, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A6 Allroad.

Brakes and Stopping

The Nautilus stops shorter than the A6 Allroad:

	Nautilus	A6 Allroad
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	119 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Nautilus’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A6 Allroad (265/40R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The Nautilus’ optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A6 Allroad’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Nautilus offers optional 21-inch wheels. The A6 Allroad’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Nautilus is 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the A6 Allroad.

The Nautilus Reserve AWD handles at .83 G’s, while the A6 Allroad Prestige pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Nautilus’ turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the A6 Allroad’s (39.3 feet vs. 40 feet).

Chassis

The Lincoln Nautilus may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Audi A6 Allroad.

The Nautilus is 4.9 inches shorter than the A6 Allroad, making the Nautilus easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Nautilus uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Nautilus has 7.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A6 Allroad (108.3 vs. 101).

The Nautilus has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the A6 Allroad.

Cargo Capacity

The Nautilus has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the A6 Allroad with its rear seat up (37.2 vs. 30 cubic feet). The Nautilus has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the A6 Allroad with its rear seat folded (68.8 vs. 63.8 cubic feet).

Towing

The Nautilus 2.7 Turbo can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Nautilus can be unhitched and driven around locally. The A6 Allroad can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Optional Trailer Sway Control on the Nautilus uses the AdvanceTrac™ sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Nautilus has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Nautilus’ exterior PIN entry system. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Nautilus offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Nautilus (except Standard) also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Nautilus Reserve/Black Label offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Model Availability

The Nautilus is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Nautilus owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Nautilus will cost $5725 to $7490 less than the A6 Allroad over a five-year period.

The Nautilus will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Nautilus will retain 45.16% to 45.45% of its original price after five years, while the A6 Allroad only retains 42.05% to 42.6%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lincoln Nautilus will be $16572 to $29810 less than for the Audi A6 Allroad.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lincoln Nautilus and the Audi A6 Allroad, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lincoln Nautilus outsold the Audi A6/S6/RS 6 by over three to one during 2022.