Compare the2026 Land Rover DiscoveryVS 2026 Lincoln Nautilus

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

The Land Rover Discovery’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Lincoln Nautilus does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

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

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

The Discovery’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 46 more horsepower (296 vs. 250) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 280) than the Nautilus’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Discovery’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 11 more horsepower (296 vs. 285) than the Nautilus’ optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Discovery Gemini/Tempest’s optional 3.0 turbo/supercharged 6-cylinder hybrid produces 70 more horsepower (355 vs. 285) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 295) than the Nautilus’ optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Discovery Gemini/Tempest 3.0 turbo/supercharged 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lincoln Nautilus 4 cyl. hybrid gas:

The Discovery has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Nautilus (23.8 vs. 19.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Land Rover Discovery higher (6 out of 10) than the Lincoln Nautilus (5). This means the Discovery produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Nautilus every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Discovery’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Nautilus:

The Discovery’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 Discovery stops shorter than the Nautilus:

For better traction, the Discovery’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Nautilus (285/40R22 vs. 255/60R19).

The Discovery’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Nautilus’ standard 60 series tires. The Discovery’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Nautilus’ optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Discovery has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Nautilus.

The Discovery offers an optional 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 front and rear suspension of the Discovery uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Nautilus, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Discovery has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Discovery’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Discovery is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Nautilus.

The Discovery Dynamic SE handles at .79 G’s, while the Nautilus Black Label pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Discovery Dynamic SE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Nautilus Black Label (28.1 seconds @ .6 average G’s vs. 28.8 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Discovery has a 3.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Nautilus (11.2 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Discovery to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Discovery 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 Discovery has standard seating for 7 passengers; the Nautilus can only carry 5.

The Discovery has 1 inch more front hip room, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Nautilus.

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the Discovery when its optional tailgating rear seats are deployed, allowing people to sit facing out of the liftgate. (Do not use while vehicle is in motion.) The Nautilus doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Discovery. The Nautilus doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Discovery’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Nautilus’ (5952 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lincoln Nautilus is only 1750 pounds. The Discovery offers up to a 8200 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the Discovery 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Nautilus, the Discovery SE has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Discovery offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed 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 Discovery’s standard Keyless Entry allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Discovery 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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Discovery offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Nautilus doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Optional air conditioned front and second row seats keep the Discovery’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Nautilus doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.