2024 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid vs. Lexus RX450h+ PHEV: The No-Stress Test!

The new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus received a redesign that builds on the class-leading ways of the previous Nautilus. Lincoln delivered a more practical luxury midsize SUV this time around, bigger and more efficient than before, and it scores a considerable technology update. It’s also something of a looker.

An ideal foil for this new hotness is the crossover that established the segment, the Lexus RX. Although it now sits mid-pack in our segment rankings, it’s been around long enough (five generations) that it’s regarded as sort of a standard-bearer. For its 2023 redesign, it got a more modern and techier cabin, plusher ride, and better efficiency. 

On the surface, comparing the RX450h+ AWD plug-in hybrid against the Nautilus Hybrid Black Label AWD might not seem like the most obvious fight, but the two are more comparable than you might think. Here we look at what each hybrid offers and which one we think comes out ahead in a comparison.

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Displays for Days

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus’ cross-car 48.0-inch string of screens is jaw-dropping when you first set eyes on it, but it's surprisingly unobtrusive for something so sprawling. The easily configurable digital strip sits low enough on the dash that it doesn’t interfere with forward visibility, and the colors, graphics, and fonts used are more soothing than anything. At 14.0 inches, the RX’s upgraded touchscreen is tiny by comparison but still bigger than the Lincoln’s secondary 11.1-inch central interface, as well as easier to reach. That said, Lincoln has seemingly embraced all the possibilities screens can afford in graphics, animations, and scope.

Each luxury SUV makes use of clever steering wheel control systems that employ unmarked multifunction buttons and projects their functions onto the head-up display/forward screen when they’re being used. In each case, we loved how they worked. People who normally hate touch-sensitive steering wheel controls might have a change of heart after trying out one of these setups. The Lincoln's, for example, shows the availbel functions the moment your thumb contacts one of the pads, highlighting which selection you're on. You can then just press it without moving your head to glance at anything.

Ventilated front seats, an array of charging outlets, and solid self-driving tech are common threads. The Lexus RX also features powered rear seat backs (the Lincoln’s are manual), screens for rear passengers, and one-touch buttons in the cargo area to fold the rear seats. The fancier 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio in the RX doesn't have as many speakers as the 28-speaker Revel system in the Nautilus, but both hit hard, delivering exceptional audio fidelity.

Negatives for either interior are minimal. The Lincoln’s available seat massagers are great, but you can hear them working when you mute the cabin audio. For the Lexus, we had a difficult time sorting out the iconography on its too-busy gauge cluster. The lower right quadrant in particular is densely packed with symbols for the RX’s EV Mode, electric and total range readouts, the exterior lights, the fuel gauge, and more.

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Material Wealth

You don’t get a bad cabin from either competitor, but the Nautilus’ sensational interior delivers Lincoln Navigator levels of posh. All seats are cushy, and the fronts have excellent, individually adjustable thigh supports. High-end materials here include rich brown Redwood Venetian leather, Alcantara on the seat inserts and bolsters, white contrast stitching and piping, and brushed metal on the vents and speaker grilles.

The Lexus counters with its own upscale materials, which include soft upholstery accents for its semi-aniline leather, bamboo wood trim, and a white headliner that totally brightens the interior. One recurring gripe, though, is how similar the RX’s cabin is to those of other Lexus models. Without context, it could easily be mistaken for the interior of the TX or RZ.

Meanwhile, the Lincoln is replete with distinctive details. Its massive screen gets top billing, but other noteworthy features include the squared-circle steering wheel, which is both easy to see over and comfortable to use despite its unusual shape. The SUV’s door releases are atypical (akin to levers from old-timey Lincolns), as is its giant glass volume knob. The Nautilus might have the prettiest interior we’ve seen this year.

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Big Like a Lincoln

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus is 0.7 inch longer than the RX and 4.2 inches wider, with a 2.0-inch-longer wheelbase. What that means for interior packaging is plenty of cargo capacity in the Lincoln, 5.6 cubic feet more standard space than the Lexus’ 29.6 cubes. That extends to maximum capacity, 68.8 cubic feet in the Nautilus versus the RX’s 46.2 cubic feet.

There are inches of additional headroom and legroom in the Lincoln relative to the Lexus, too. It’s almost like they’re in different classes. To make up for the space imbalance, the RX offers a modular center console with a large storage bin. Covers slide back to reveal deeper cubbies with USB ports.

Sumptuous or Sporty(ish)

Relative size might be one reason why the Lexus did better in our performance testing, though the smaller RX is heavier than the Nautilus. Some of that mass might be chalked up to the bigger battery the PHEV lugs around, but it is mounted pretty low in the SUV, which ends up being something of a net positive for handling.

That said, neither luxury midsize SUV makes a sporty impression. The Lexus, with its static suspension and anti-roll bars, rides on the stiff side, a setup that transmits some road noise into the cabin. We also noted considerable body lean from the RX. The tires for both vehicles leave much to be desired in terms of cornering grip, if that's what you're after.

But the RX shines against the Nautilus in instrumented testing. It holds on longer in our lateral acceleration test and was quicker around our racetrack-in-a-bottle figure-eight course. The Lexus is also quicker in a straight line and takes 5 fewer feet to stop from 60 mph. But the RX driving experience is largely forgettable—smooth, quiet, comfortable, and efficient, yes, but forgettable.

With its adaptive shocks, the Lincoln offers better body control but forgoes athleticism for a more cosseting, isolating experience like a proper luxury car. Dynamics at the limit are average at best, but that's not where it wants to live—driven with the goal of making passengers comfortable, the Lincoln truly shines. One of its secret weapons is the Blue Cruise hands-free driving system, which works sensationally on hundreds of thousands of mapped highways and will execute lane changes with the tap of the turn signal stalk.

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Hybrid Two Ways

Not all hybrids are created equal, and those considering the 2024 Lexus RX450h+ PHEV should be prepared to plug in regularly. Not doing so means missing out on its 37 miles of useful all-electric range, which contributes to a total range of 540 miles. Fuel economy on gas is a decent 35 mpg combined; it rises to 83 mpg-e when primarily using the electric motor.

The Nautilus’ biggest advantage here is total range, 600 miles. That’s mostly because its 20-gallon gas tank is 5.5 gallons bigger than the RX’s. The Lincoln SUV returns combined fuel economy of 30 mpg, not bad considering its size and luxury but 5 lower than the RX—at least you don’t have to plug it in.

Price Comparison

With the hybrid powertrain, the base price for the 2024 Nautilus Black Label top trim comes in at $77,445. It seems like a lot more than the 2024 Lexus RX450h+’s $70,580 starting price until you realize many of the Lexus’ optional features are standard on the Lincoln, like the 360-degree camera, premium audio, remote parking, hands-free liftgate, and digital key.

As-tested pricing is therefore a little closer, $76,430 for the RX PHEV and $79,445 for the Nautilus Hybrid. Skip the available $2,000 premium paint for the Lincoln, and those prices get closer still. (For reference, with different powertrains, the cheapest Lexus RX with all-wheel drive is $51,550; the Nautilus includes AWD as standard and opens at $52,010.)

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Verdict

Empirical data suggests the Lexus is dynamically better, but that diminishes what this class is about. Midsize SUVs should be practical, but luxury models should also be premium and pampering. Unfortunately, the Lexus RX450h+ plus doesn’t break any new ground in this realm. Driving one doesn’t leave much of an impression, and it comes up short in cabin space and value.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid Black Label does a superior job at imparting a high-level premium experience. It is remarkably upscale, bringing Navigator levels of plushness and ambience to the midsize SUV segment. Through selectable aromas, audio system quality, massaging seats, Blue Cruise, and more, it does an outstanding job at its singular focus—stress reduction. The Nautilus Hybrid isn't the quickest vehicle to get from point A to point B; insteadit's a extremely sumptuous and well-executed luxury SUV, and the best choice to if you're looking to live live the very, very good life.

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2nd Place: 2024 Lexus RX

Verdict: The RX is a solid luxury midsize SUV with good efficiency, but it’s small, lacks interior sizzle, and is forgettable to drive.

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1st Place: 2024 Lincoln Nautilus

Verdict: Supremely comfortable and upscale, the Nautilus Hybrid is a sensational way to indulge yourself.

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