Compare the2024 Lincoln NautilusVS 2024 Volvo XC40

The Lincoln Nautilus has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XC40 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Nautilus and the XC40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 driver alert monitors.

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 Lincoln Nautilus is safer than the XC40:

The Lincoln Nautilus has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The XC40 is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Lincoln’s powertrain warranty covers the Nautilus 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the XC40 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 89 percent more Lincoln dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Nautilus’ warranty.

The Nautilus has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The XC40 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lincoln vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 18 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Lincoln higher than Volvo.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lincoln vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lincoln 2 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The Nautilus’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (250 vs. 247) and 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (275 vs. 258) than the XC40’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Nautilus’ optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 53 more horsepower (300 vs. 247) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the XC40’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Nautilus 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder Hybrid CVT gets better fuel mileage than the XC40 T5 (30 city/31 hwy vs. 24 city/30 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lincoln Nautilus uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The XC40 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Nautilus Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 5.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (20.1 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Nautilus’ standard fuel tank has 6.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (20.3 vs. 14.2 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lincoln Nautilus higher (7 out of 10) than the Volvo XC40 (5). This means the Nautilus produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC40 every 15,000 miles.

The Nautilus has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The XC40 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Nautilus stops shorter than the XC40:

For better traction, the Nautilus has larger tires than the XC40 (255/60R19 vs. 235/55R18). The Nautilus’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC40 (255/60R19 vs. 245/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Nautilus has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC40. The Nautilus’ optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the XC40.

The Nautilus has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Nautilus offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Nautilus’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The XC40 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Nautilus’ wheelbase is 7.8 inches longer than on the XC40 (114.2 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Nautilus is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the XC40.

The Nautilus uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The XC40 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Nautilus has 15.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC40 (113.5 vs. 98).

The Nautilus has .6 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, 2.1 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 7 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Nautilus’ rear seats recline. The XC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Nautilus has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC40 with its rear seat up (36.4 vs. 20.4 cubic feet). The Nautilus has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 with its rear seat folded (71.3 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Nautilus, using the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the XC40.

The Nautilus’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC40 doesn’t offer an easy entry 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 XC40 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Volvo On Call can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Nautilus’ standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Drive standard on the XC40 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Nautilus keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The XC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Nautilus has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the XC40.

The Nautilus Black Label has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the XC40.

The Nautilus’ standard oscillating air vents move back and forth and distribute air evenly inside the vehicle, making everyone more comfortable. The XC40 doesn’t offer oscillating vents.

The Nautilus offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The XC40 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Nautilus’ Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC40’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.