Compare the2024 GMC TerrainVS 2024 Lincoln Nautilus

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Terrain’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Nautilus doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Terrain and the Nautilus have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Terrain’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Nautilus’ (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 3 times as many GMC dealers as there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Terrain’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Terrain second among compact suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Nautilus isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 41 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is rated below average.

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

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

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the GMC Terrain, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Nautilus.

The Terrain has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Nautilus doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The GMC Terrain may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 950 pounds less than the Lincoln Nautilus.

The Terrain is 10.9 inches shorter than the Nautilus, making the Terrain easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Terrain offers available 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 Terrain’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Nautilus’ (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

The Terrain’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Nautilus does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Terrain (except SLE) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Terrain’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Access standard on the Nautilus doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

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

The GMC Terrain outsold the Lincoln Nautilus by almost three to one during 2023.