Compare the2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2023 Lincoln Nautilus

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Atlas Cross Sport offers optional Maneuver Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Nautilus doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the Nautilus have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

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 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is safer than the Lincoln Nautilus:

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is safer than the Nautilus:

The Atlas Cross Sport’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Nautilus’ (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas Cross Sport for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Lincoln only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Nautilus.

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Nautilus’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 26 more horsepower (276 vs. 250) than the Nautilus’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

The Atlas Cross Sport’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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheelbase is 5.1 inches longer than on the Nautilus (117.3 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Nautilus.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 3.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Nautilus (112.1 vs. 108.3).

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1.8 inches more front hip room, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear legroom, 2.4 inches more rear hip room and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Nautilus.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Nautilus with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 37.2 cubic feet). The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Nautilus with its rear seat folded (77.8 vs. 68.8 cubic feet).

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Nautilus’ (2000 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lincoln Nautilus is only 3500 pounds. The Atlas Cross Sport offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The power windows standard on both the Atlas Cross Sport and the Nautilus have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Atlas Cross Sport 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 Atlas Cross Sport’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 Atlas Cross Sport 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 Atlas Cross Sport’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 Atlas Cross Sport SEL 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 Atlas Cross Sport to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Nautilus doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Atlas Cross Sport SEL 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.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and the Lincoln Nautilus, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Lincoln Nautilus by almost four to one during 2022.