Compare the2025 Subaru OutbackVS 2025 Lincoln Nautilus

The Outback has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

Both the Outback 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, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are over 19 percent more Subaru dealers than there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Outback’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 41 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln With 53 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Lincoln.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 17 places higher in reliability than Lincoln.

The Outback XT/Wilderness’ standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 10 more horsepower (260 vs. 250) than the Nautilus’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Outback XT/Wilderness 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Lincoln Nautilus 4 cyl. hybrid gas:

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Outback lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Nautilus doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

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

The Outback’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.

The Outback stops shorter than the Nautilus:

The Outback Wilderness/Onyx XT has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Nautilus; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The Outback Limited handles at .79 G’s, while the Nautilus Black Label pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Outback Wilderness executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the Nautilus Black Label (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.8 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Outback’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Nautilus’ (36.1 feet vs. 37.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outback has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Nautilus (8.7 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Outback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outback Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the Nautilus (9.5 vs. 7.9 inches).

The Subaru Outback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 750 pounds less than the Lincoln Nautilus.

The front grille of the Outback 2.5i 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 Outback has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Nautilus with its rear seat folded (75.6 vs. 71.3 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Outback. The Nautilus doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Outback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Nautilus’ (2700 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lincoln Nautilus is only 1750 pounds. The Outback offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the Outback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Nautilus. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Lincoln. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 24% lower rating, Lincoln is ranked 19th.

The Outback’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Nautilus has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Outback, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Outback outsold the Lincoln Nautilus by almost seven to one during 2023.