When you arrive at a social event, a business meeting, or pull into a restaurant parking lot, the exterior design of your SUV sends a message. It sets expectations about the kind of driver you are and the lifestyle you lead.

Both the Lincoln Nautilus and the Lexus RX 350 aim to make a strong visual statement, but they approach design in different ways.

Lincoln intentionally gave the Lincoln Nautilus a bold, assertive design that turns heads. From the front fascia to the rear taillights, this SUV exhibits a confident presence. The shape of the Lincoln Nautilus features a less pronounced curve from hood to roof, which gives it a unique profile compared to other SUVs in its class.

The adaptive LED headlamps on the Lincoln Nautilus create a distinctive lighting signature that enhances nighttime visibility while emphasizing premium styling. Lincoln takes it a step further with Lincoln Embrace, an advanced lighting sequence that choreographs exterior lights when the vehicle locks or unlocks. People will notice it — and remember it. Navigating crowded parking areas becomes a moment to shine rather than blend in.

The RX 350 presents a classic, refined look that emphasizes elegance and balance. Lexus uses smooth lines, well‑proportioned surfaces, and premium paint finishes to convey luxury. While the design reads as polished and upscale, it tends to feel more conservative than bold. The RX’s styling does not seek attention in the same way; instead, it aims for quiet sophistication.

If you prefer understated elegance that blends rather than stands out, the RX 350 delivers that. However, for buyers who want a visual impact that makes others look twice, the Lincoln Nautilus projects a more striking and memorable presence.

Stepping inside your SUV should feel like entering a personal sanctuary, a place that calms you, engages your senses, and comforts you through city streets, long road trips, and everyday drives. Both the Lincoln Nautilus and the RX 350 deliver premium interiors, but the Lincoln Nautilus builds a more immersive and refined environment.

Lincoln engineers designed the Lincoln Nautilus cabin to do more than impress on paper. They focus on experiences you can feel, hear, and see.

Walking up to a Lincoln Nautilus and opening the door introduces you to a richness of premium materials: soft leathers, carefully selected trim accents, and thoughtful details that reward closer inspection. The Lincoln Nautilus offers:

• Crystal‑inspired volume knob — Every touch feels intentional and refined.
• Auto Air Refresh — This system filters outside pollutants to keep cabin air clean and fresh.
• Active Noise Control — The Lincoln Nautilus minimizes unwanted road noise, making your cabin feel more peaceful at any speed.
• Symphonic Chimes — Rather than default tones, the Lincoln Nautilus uses recordings from live orchestras for alerts that feel elegant and pleasant.

Inside, Lincoln combines technology and ambiance. The panoramic display serves as a hub for driving information and entertainment. You can choose from four display themes — Constellation, Engage, Inspire, and Tranquil — each visually tailoring the interface to enhance your mood and driving experience.

Lincoln even offers Digital Scent, an available aromatherapy system. This feature infuses the cabin with light, relaxing scents, allowing you to create an environment that calms your senses during stressful traffic or enhances enjoyment on long drives.

The RX 350 cabin prioritizes comfort and quality, featuring supportive seats, premium surfaces, and a driver-oriented layout. Lexus equips the RX with modern amenities, including heated seats, dual-zone climate control, and available premium audio systems.

However, while the RX offers comfort, it lacks some of the sensory sophistication found in the Lincoln Nautilus. You won’t find orchestra‑inspired chimes, themed digital displays, or scent infusion options. The experience focuses more on traditional luxury than multi‑sensory engagement.

A luxury SUV should provide smooth, confident acceleration and composed handling without sacrificing comfort. Let’s compare the powertrains and driving dynamics of each SUV.

The Lincoln Nautilus comes standard with a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain delivers confident acceleration whether you’re merging onto highways or cruising city streets.

Lincoln also offers an available hybrid powertrain that combines the turbo engine with electric assistance. This configuration boosts performance while improving fuel efficiency, delivering combined outputs up to approximately 310 horsepower.*

What sets the Lincoln Nautilus apart is its ability to blend performance with serenity. The SUV’s suspension tuning creates a smooth, isolated cabin feel that reduces the impact of road imperfections. Steering remains precise and responsive, making the Lincoln Nautilus enjoyable whether navigating suburban roads or open highways.

Lincoln offers optional Lincoln BlueCruise hands‑free highway driving capability, letting you drive hands‑free on eligible divided highways. This feature elevates the driving experience by reducing fatigue on long trips and adding an innovative touch that many luxury buyers value.

The Lexus RX 350 is powered by a 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. During typical driving, the RX delivers smooth, predictable performance that suits daily driving needs.

The RX handles everyday driving well, offering composed steering and a comfortable ride. However, it does not currently offer a standard hands-free driving assist system like BlueCruise, and it lacks a hybrid powertrain configuration in the standard RX 350 model (hybrid variants are available elsewhere in the RX lineup).

The RX’s focus is reliability and smooth refinement rather than innovative driving assist technology or hybrid efficiency at this tier.

Commuting, road trips, or weekend errands should all feel effortless. Your seats play a significant role in how comfortable you feel throughout every journey.

Both the Lincoln Nautilus and the RX 350 offer heated and ventilated front seats. However, in the Lincoln Nautilus, Lincoln takes it a step further with Perfect Position Front Seats featuring Active Motion®. These seats include 24‑way power adjustments that let you fine‑tune your position and targeted massage functions that ease muscle tension and improve comfort on long drives.

Lincoln designed these seat features to promote relaxation and reduce fatigue, so you arrive refreshed rather than tired.

Lexus equips the RX 350 with supportive and comfortable seats, available with heating and ventilation. The upholstery feels premium, and the positioning supports a relaxed driving posture. However, Lexus does not offer massaging front seats in the RX 350, so you won’t find the same level of seat customization or relaxation features here.

Modern luxury SUVs must strike a balance between premium comfort and practical cargo capacity, whether you’re loading luggage, sports gear, groceries, or weekend essentials.

The Lincoln Nautilus offers generous cargo space that caters to your lifestyle needs. Behind the second row, you’ll find more than 36 cubic feet of cargo room—enough for large suitcases, golf bags, or bulky items. Fold down the rear seats, and total cargo capacity expands beyond 71 cubic feet, making the Lincoln Nautilus flexible for larger loads.

Whether you’re planning a long trip or tackling typical errands around town, the Lincoln Nautilus supports your cargo needs without compromising passenger comfort.

The RX 350’s cargo area provides around 29.6 cubic feet behind the second row. This space handles everyday needs and moderate luggage, but it offers less overall volume compared to the Lincoln Nautilus. When you fold the rear seats, the RX expands to accommodate more oversized items, but it still trails the Lincoln Nautilus in maximum cargo flexibility.