Compare the2023 Lincoln NautilusVS 2023 Lexus GX

The Nautilus has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Nautilus uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The GX uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Nautilus and the GX 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, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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 GX has not been tested, yet.

There are almost 3 times as many Lincoln dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Nautilus’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Nautilus first among midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The GX was rated second.

The Nautilus’ optional 2.7 turbo V6 produces 34 more horsepower (335 vs. 301) and 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (380 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lincoln Nautilus turbo V6 is faster than the Lexus GX:

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Nautilus’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lincoln Nautilus uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GX 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 GX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lincoln Nautilus higher (6 out of 10) than the Lexus GX (3). This means the Nautilus produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GX every 15,000 miles.

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

For better stopping power the Nautilus’ brake rotors are larger than those on the GX:

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 GX’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Nautilus offers optional 21-inch wheels. The GX’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Lincoln Nautilus has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus GX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Nautilus’ wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer than on the GX (112.2 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Nautilus is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than on the GX.

The Nautilus Reserve AWD handles at .83 G’s, while the GX pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Nautilus Reserve AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the GX (27.1 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Nautilus’ turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the GX’s (39.3 feet vs. 41.1 feet).

The Lincoln Nautilus may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 950 pounds less than the Lexus GX.

The Nautilus is 7.6 inches shorter in height than the GX, making the Nautilus much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the Nautilus’ center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The GX uses body-on-frame design instead.

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

The Nautilus has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front legroom, 3.5 inches more front shoulder room, 5.5 inches more rear legroom, .4 inches more rear hip room and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the GX.

The front step up height for the Nautilus is 4.2 inches lower than the GX (17.5” vs. 21.7”). The Nautilus’ rear step up height is 4 inches lower than the GX’s (18” vs. 22”).

The Nautilus has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the GX with its rear seat up (37.2 vs. 11.6 cubic feet). The Nautilus has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GX with its rear seat folded (68.8 vs. 64.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Nautilus easier. The Nautilus’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 30 inches, while the GX’s liftover is 33.8 inches.

The Nautilus’ liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The GX’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Nautilus has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The GX doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

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 GX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Nautilus’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GX’s parking brake has to be released manually.

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 GX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Nautilus’ power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The GX’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The Nautilus Reserve/Black Label offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the GX.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lincoln Nautilus Reserve/Black Label has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The GX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Nautilus (except Standard)’s optional Enhanced Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The GX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Nautilus is less expensive to operate than the GX because it costs $63 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Nautilus than the GX, including $54 less for a muffler, $629 less for a starter, $227 less for fuel injection, $233 less for a fuel pump, $248 less for a timing belt/chain and $179 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lincoln Nautilus will be $6304 to $15613 less than for the Lexus GX.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lincoln Nautilus and the Lexus GX, based on reliability, safety and performance.