Compare the2026 Cadillac XT5VS 2026 Lincoln Nautilus

The XT5 (except Luxury’s) optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Nautilus doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Cadillac XT5 comes with a standard HD Surround Vision with a rear camera washer to provide all-weather visibility, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Lincoln Nautilus doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the XT5 and the Nautilus have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Cadillac XT5 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 Cadillac XT5 is safer than the Lincoln Nautilus:

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

The XT5’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Nautilus’ (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 18 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the XT5’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 XT5’s reliability 24 points higher than the Nautilus.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the XT5 first among midsize premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Nautilus isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. With 6 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Cadillac higher than Lincoln.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lincoln is rated below average.

The XT5’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 25 more horsepower (310 vs. 285) than the Nautilus’ optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac XT5 V6 is faster than the Lincoln Nautilus 4 cyl. hybrid gas:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the XT5’s fuel efficiency. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The XT5 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Nautilus (21.7 vs. 19.8 gallons).

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac XT5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Nautilus.

The XT5’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 XT5 stops much shorter than the Nautilus:

The Cadillac XT5’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Lincoln Nautilus only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The XT5 AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the Nautilus Black Label pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The XT5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the Nautilus Black Label (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.8 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

The Cadillac XT5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 pounds less than the Lincoln Nautilus.

The XT5 is 3.6 inches shorter than the Nautilus, making the XT5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the XT5 2.0 Turbo 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.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the XT5. The Nautilus doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The XT5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Nautilus’ (1000 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lincoln Nautilus is only 1750 pounds. The XT5 offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The XT5’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 XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, navigation instruction, infotainment 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.

The XT5’s standard Keyless Access 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.

The XT5 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Cadillac XT5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Nautilus isn't recommended.