Compare the2026 Toyota HighlanderVS 2026 Lincoln Nautilus

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

The Toyota Highlander’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 Highlander 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Lincoln Nautilus:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Lincoln Nautilus:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander 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 doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Nautilus. (Lincoln offers free mainteance on some Nautilus models.)

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

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Highlander’s reliability 41 points higher than the Nautilus.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 6 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota higher than Lincoln.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is ranked 24th.

The Highlander’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (265 vs. 250) and 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 280) than the Nautilus’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Highlander’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 295) than the Nautilus’ optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Nautilus requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

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

For greater off-road capability the Highlander has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Nautilus (8 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Highlander offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Nautilus can only carry 5.

The Highlander has 28.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Nautilus (141.8 vs. 113.5).

The Highlander has .4 inches more front hip room, .1 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear hip room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Nautilus.

The Highlander’s cargo area provides more volume than the Nautilus.

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

The Highlander’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Nautilus’ (5000 vs. 0 pounds).

The Highlander Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information 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.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Highlander to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Nautilus doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Toyota Highlander retains 58.21% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 43.1% resale value of the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $14050.60476 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Highlander, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Nautilus isn't recommended.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Lincoln Nautilus by almost three to one during 2024.