Compare the2024 Toyota Rav4VS 2024 Lincoln Nautilus

Both the Rav4 and the Nautilus have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

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 Rav4 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 98 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Nautilus has not been tested, yet.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Rav4 for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Lincoln only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Nautilus.

There are over 80 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rav4’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. With 14 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota higher than Lincoln.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lincoln is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Lincoln is ranked 23rd.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Rav4 uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Nautilus requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

For better maneuverability, the Rav4 LE/XLE’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Nautilus’ (36.1 feet vs. 37.5 feet). The Rav4 XLE Premium/Adventure/Limited/TRD Off-Road’s turning circle is .1 feet tighter than the Nautilus’ (37.4 feet vs. 37.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 LE/XLE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Nautilus (8.4 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Rav4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Rav4 XLE Premium/Limited/Adventure/TRD Off-Road’s minimum ground clearance is .7 inch higher than on the Nautilus (8.6 vs. 7.9 inches).

The Toyota Rav4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 to 1000 pounds less than the Lincoln Nautilus.

The Rav4 is 1 foot shorter than the Nautilus, making the Rav4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Rav4 is 6.7 inches narrower on average than the Nautilus, making the Rav4 easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The front grille of the Rav4 Adventure/Limited/TRD Off-Road 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.

The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume than the Nautilus with its rear seat up (37.6 vs. 36.4 cubic feet).

The Rav4’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Nautilus’ (1500 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lincoln Nautilus is only 1750 pounds. The Rav4 4WD offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Rav4 uses the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Nautilus doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Rav4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Lincoln Nautilus by almost 18 to one during 2023.