For family-sized fun in a luxury package, you’ll want to consider Lincoln’s Nautilus and Aviator, the two midsize SUVs in the brand’s 2022 lineup. But which SUV is better—and can they compete with other luxury SUVs in their segment? Trusted broker app

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Does Lincoln have a midsize SUV?

Yes, Lincoln offers two midsize SUVs in the 2022 lineup: the two-row

Nautilus

and the three-row

Aviator

. Below them in the lineup of SUV models is the small-sized Lincoln

Corsair

, and above is the full-sized Lincoln Navigator—a hefty eight-seater that’s considered the brand’s biggest trademark.

What makes a midsize SUV?

The definitions of subcompact, compact, midsize, and full-size are all pretty precise when it comes to sedans—but surprisingly loose in the world of SUVs. Generally speaking, a midsize SUV is bigger than a compact SUV and smaller than a full-size SUV.

Another way to put it is like this: if you’re looking for an SUV that’s not too big or not too small, but just right, the midsize SUV is for you. Midsize SUVs hit the sweet spot of sizeable functionality without burgeoning bulk, making them an ideal family car for those looking to avoid the trap of monotonous minivans.

Is the Lincoln Corsair a midsize SUV?

No, the Corsair is considered a small SUV. With less cargo space, smaller wheels, and an all-around shorter length, the Corsair doesn’t quite fit the scope to contend in the midsize segment—but it’s a decent compact SUV.

MORE: Are Lincolns expensive to maintain?

Nautilus vs. Aviator: which is the best midsize Lincoln SUV?

Now it’s time to take a closer look at Lincoln’s duo of midsize SUVs. While both the Nautilus and Aviator share a boat-like size, clean-lined appearance, and ergonomic interior, these large luxury vehicles aren’t identical—and one might just be more worth your money than the other.

2022 Lincoln Nautilus

MSRP range: $44,090 to $66,170

MPG: 21 city/26 highway

Seating for: Up to five passengers

Starting with the smaller of our two options, the Lincoln Nautilus is a lofty, luxurious SUV that advertises as a driver’s “personal sanctuary.” And given its wide, curved windshield, adjustable ambient lighting, and natural wood and leather accents, it’s safe to say sitting inside the latest Nautilus can feel kind of like entering your own personal love cave.

Comforts abound in the Nautilus: from its plush two rows of leather-wrapped seating to the larger-than-life 13.2-inch touchscreen display—and that’s not the only place you’ll find ease in this luxury SUV. It’s also packed with driver assistance technologies thanks to the inclusion of Lincoln Co-Pilot360™ 1.0 technology, the brand’s premier suite of safety technologies.

The base Nautilus comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine, capable of churning out 250 hp and taking the Nautilus from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.2 seconds. It’s attached to an eight-speed automatic transmission that can be connected to front- or all-wheel drive. Alternatively, drivers can select the optional twin-turbocharged 2.7L V6 engine instead, which boosts horsepower up to 335 hp and provides 380 lb-feet of torque. The result is a fast, smooth, and surprisingly quiet ride—despite the nautical boat-like size of the Nautilus.

While the standard Nautilus starts at a price of around $44,000, an option Premium package and upgraded trim levels can quickly bump that price tag up. The two upper trims for the Nautilus—the Reserve and Black Label—boast high-end amenities like rain-sensing windshield wipers, in-dash navigation, a 13-speaker Revel stereo system, and even the ability to lock and unlock your SUV via smartphone app. Both trims also feature three driving modes (Comfort, Normal, and Sport mode) for added control and comfort.

But how does the Nautilus hold up in terms of safety? Well, it earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and mostly “Good” ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with the exception of the LED headlights—which were considered “Poor” in the category of crash avoidance and mitigation.

Despite strong safety ratings, the Nautilus

earns surprisingly low scores for reliability

and was labeled a gas-guzzler by Consumer Reports.

Highlights include:

37.2 cubic feet of cargo space/68.8 cubic feet of space with the seating area

Comes standard with Lincoln’s suite of driver-assist technologies

Capable of towing up to 3,500

Strong yet quiet engine

Numerous standard and optional upgrades and driver aids

Weaknesses include:

Below-average fuel economy

Poor off-roading capabilities

Poor reliability ratings

2022 Lincoln Aviator

MSRP range: $53,340 to $68,980

MPG: 17 city/24 highway

Seating for: Up to seven passengers

One step above the Nautilus is the Aviator, Lincoln’s slightly larger midsize SUV model. For families larger than five—or anyone looking for a boatload of cargo space—the Aviator is ready to accommodate.

Many of the upgraded Nautilus features—such as a twin-turbocharged V6 engine—come standard in the Aviator, along with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.5 Plus™, an upgraded host of driver-assist technologies that include bonus features like active parking assist, reverse braking assist, and a 360-degree camera. The model’s optional premium package takes this SUV up a notch, with an added panoramic Vista Roof and upgraded 20-inch aluminum wheels.

In the standard Aviator, your twin-turbo engine is connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission. But what really sets the Aviator apart from the Nautilus is its optional plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Capable of carrying the massive Aviator from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds and boasting an electric range of 21 miles by battery only (or a combined gas-electric range of 460 miles total), the hybrid Aviator offers eco-friendliness and better fuel economy than its all-gas alternative—an option the Nautilus can’t match.

Highlights include:

Three rows of seating

Standard twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine with Auto Start-Stop Technology

10-speaker premium audio system with subwoofer

Larger than the Nautilus and more fuel efficient than the Navigator

Optional plug-in hybrid powertrain capable

Weaknesses include:

Large and bulky

Still unimpressive fuel economy

Soft handling

Bumpy transition from electric to gas power in hybrid powertrain

2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs. 2022 Lincoln Aviator comparison

Vehicle	2022 Lincoln Nautilus	2022 Lincoln Aviator
Starting MSRP	$44,090	$53,340
Seating capacity	Five	Seven
Fuel economy	21 combined mpg	21.5 combined mpg/23 combined mpg for plug-in hybrid powertrain
Base engine	2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder (250 hp, 280 to 380 lb-feet of torque)	3.0L twin-turbocharged V6 (400 hp, 415 to 630 lb-feet of torque)
Total cargo volume	68.8 cubic feet	77.7 cubic feet
Maximum towing capacity	3,500 lbs	6,700 lbs
NHTSA safety rating	Five stars	Five stars
Reliability scores	2/5 (Consumer Reports), 88/100 (J.D. Power)	75/100 (U.S. News), 81/100 (J.D. Power)

The bottom line

When considering the Nautilus and the Aviator, it all comes down to size and features.

For the price, we’d recommend going with the Lincoln Aviator. On top of the extra spaciousness, its heightened standard features and an optional hybrid powertrain give drivers greater agency to customize their drive and maximize comfort. Even in the standard base model, the Aviator has better fuel economy and a more powerful engine than its little sibling.

That being said, if you’re looking for a luxury ride that won’t break the bank, the Nautilus may be the right choice for you.

MORE:

Car loans for Lincoln 2022

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Best midsize SUV competitors

We’ve covered the key features of Lincoln’s midsize SUV duo—but how do they compare to the competition? Below, we take a look at a few top competitors:

2022

Volvo XC90

($50,900 starting MSRP): Comparable to the Aviator with three luxurious rows of seating, the XC90 takes customization to a whole new level, with three distinct powertrains that can be mixed and matched with available trim levels to achieve unique features.

2022

Lexus RX 350

($46,320 starting MSRP): Attention to detail is what sets the RX 350 apart, with its state-of-the-art interior quality and a smooth ride.

2022

Audi Q7

($ starting MSRP): You’ll find similar size and cargo space from the Q7, although it outperforms both Aviator and Nautilus alike with expert handling and agile steering.

MORE:

The 10 most expensive SUVs to insure

How to save on Lincoln insurance

Another difference between Lincoln’s two midsize SUVs comes in the form of insurance rates.

The average cost to insure a Lincoln Nautilus is around $1,880—but if you choose premium packages or an upgraded trim level, you could be facing an annual premium of over $2,000 a year. By contrast, the Lincoln Aviator comes at a surprisingly lower cost to insure—at its highest available trim level, the Aviator Black Label Grand Touring costs an average of just $1,800 to insure.

Couple insurance costs with a monthly car payment, and suddenly owning a Lincoln SUV can seem unrealistically expensive. That’s where

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