The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus and 2024 Lexus RX are midsize luxury SUVs with two rows of seating and a lovely ability to take the stress out of daily driving. Unlike sportier rivals, these SUVs are firmly focused on providing a quiet and relaxed ride versus corner-carving handling or ferocious acceleration. 

The 2024 model year ushers in the third generation of the Nautilus. Positioned in the Lincoln lineup above the smaller Corsair and larger 3-row Aviator, the Nautilus sports a handsome exterior, a revamped cabin with updated technology, and a choice of a turbo 4-cylinder or hybrid-powered drivetrain. All-wheel drive is now standard on all trims, too.

Having undergone a redesign for the 2023 model year, the 2024 RX adds a plug-in hybrid version called the RX 450h+. Known for its quiet ride and excellent record for reliability, the RX sits near the top of our Best Luxury Midsize SUV rankings. It also earns our Lowest 5-year Cost to Own Award among 2-row midsize luxury SUVs.  

Let’s explore the highlights of the Lincoln Nautilus and the Lexus RX to see which is best for your budget and driving needs.

2024 Lincoln Nautilus

The Lincoln Nautilus has a starting price of $52,010, including factory-to-dealer destination fees, and is available in three trims: Premiere, Reserve, and Black Label. 

Standard features are plentiful and include a 48-inch display spanning the top of the dashboard, an 11.1-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity, Amazon Alexa, synthetic leather seating surfaces, wireless device charging, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. 

Lincoln Nautilus Highlights

Available hybrid powertrain: The entry-level powertrain is a capable 250-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder that sends power to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. Yet we think the optional turbocharged hybrid 4-cylinder is worth serious consideration. For about $1,500 extra, it serves up 310 horses and stretches more miles out of every gallon of gasoline.

Expansive digital dashboard: Prepare to be wowed when you step inside the Nautilus. Lincoln has upgraded cabin materials as a whole, and the show-stopping feature is a 48-inch display stretching across the dashboard. It’s attractive and informative, plus we think it looks really cool. 

Massaging front seats: Available on the Reserve and standard on the Black Label are 24-way adjustable front seats with built-in massage functions. You might find yourself escaping to the Nautilus simply to relax in your driveway and enjoy a spa-like SUV experience. An optional in-cabin diffuser can waft scents like patchouli and fresh linen throughout the interior. 

BlueCruise hands-free driving aid: Formally known as BlueCruise 1.2, this system allows for hands-free highway driving on select pre-mapped roads in North America. You can add it to the lower two trims, and it’s standard on the top-line Black Label. 

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Nautilus models for sale near you. 

2024 Lexus RX

The 2024 Lexus RX continues to impress thanks to its blend of value, comfort, and smooth driving manners. It’s no surprise the RX is America’s best-selling luxury vehicle. As we pointed out, anyone looking for an SUV that rides and handles like a high-strung sports car is better off looking elsewhere. The RX coddles occupants with soft-touch cabin materials, nicely damped controls, and a whisper-quiet ride. 

Serving as the base engine is a 275-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and your choice of front- or all-wheel drive (AWD). A hybrid and plug-in hybrid sit higher up the range, and each comes with AWD as standard. Pricing starts at $49,950.

Lexus RX Highlights

Ride quality: Maybe we’re getting repetitive when praising how effortlessly the RX wafts down the road, but it’s worth repeating. Our extensive testing found the RX to be highly comfortable and easy to drive. It’s even more agile than the previous generation, too. 

Award-winning resale value: Expect this Lexus SUV to hold onto its value far better than many of its competitors. After all, when you’re paying luxury levels of money for a vehicle, it’s nice knowing you won’t get bargain-basement offers when reselling or using it as a trade-in down the road.

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models: The RX one-ups the Nautilus by offering a plug-in hybrid in addition to gasoline and hybrid powertrains. The RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid model has a 35-mile all-electric range and is equipped in the poshly-appointed Luxury trim. 

Bold exterior colors: Sure, you can play it safe with a neutral gray, silver, white, or black hue. But why not have fun and indulge in wilder RX colors like Matador Red, Nori Green, Copper Crest, or Grecian Water? It’s nice to see Lexus isn’t shy about providing bolder color choices for its best-selling SUV. 

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the RX models for sale near you. 

Similarities

The Nautilus and RX are midsize SUVs with adult-friendly interior space and enough cargo volume for luggage-intensive travels. Standard features are plentiful in either SUV, and their base prices are thousands less than competing models like the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Volvo XC90, and Land Rover Defender. They also both offer hybrid options.

Conclusion

With its most recent redesign, Lincoln has turned the Nautilus into a far more enticing midsize SUV. Supportive seats and that futuristic digital display make for an outstanding first impression. You don’t have to spike the price upward with option packages or pricier trims; the standard model comes loaded with all sorts of comfort and safety features. Legroom and cargo space also exceed what you get in a number of rivals, including the Lexus RX. 

As for the Lexus RX, it rides a lot on its reputation for quality and resale value. That’s hardly a bad thing, of course, and it goes a long way toward explaining why it’s so popular among luxury SUV shoppers. The RX continues to be one of the most relaxing models to drive in its class, and the wide variety of powertrains lets you prioritize a lower base price, added MPGs, or electric-only range with the new plug-in hybrid. 

Without wanting to waffle, we’re going to give the RX the nod here. Yet this is only under the condition that a test drive of the Nautilus is accomplished before signing on the dotted line at your local Lexus dealer. Lincoln has done its homework, and the results are evident.