Compare the2026 Acura RDXVS 2026 Lincoln Nautilus

The Acura RDX comes with a standard Surround-View Camera System and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Lincoln Nautilus doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the RDX and the Nautilus have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning 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 Acura RDX 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 Acura RDX is safer than the Lincoln Nautilus:

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the RDX is 1.9% less likely to roll over than the Nautilus.

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 RDX’s reliability 40 points higher than the Nautilus.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. With 8 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Lincoln.

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 more horsepower (272 vs. 250) than the Nautilus’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Acura RDX is faster than the Lincoln Nautilus:

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura RDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Nautilus.

The RDX stops much shorter than the Nautilus:

The RDX’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 RDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Nautilus doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The RDX A-Spec handles at .83 G’s, while the Nautilus Black Label pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The RDX A-Spec 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).

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Nautilus (8.2 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the RDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Acura RDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 650 pounds less than the Lincoln Nautilus.

The RDX is 5.8 inches shorter than the Nautilus, making the RDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The RDX has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Nautilus with its rear seat folded (79.8 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 RDX. The Nautilus doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The RDX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Nautilus’ (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Lincoln. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 12% lower rating, Lincoln is ranked 15th.

The RDX Advance has a standard 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.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Acura RDX retains 52.21% 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 Acura’s owner up to $9325.40626 in depreciation.

The Acura RDX has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The Acura RDX outsold the Lincoln Nautilus by 23% during 2024.