2026–27 Audi Q8 vs Lincoln Nautilus: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Q8 — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–1.5 across 4 categories, winning on more available power (631 hp vs 285 hp) and more towing capacity (7,700 lb vs 1,750 lb). Choose the Nautilus if fuel economy comes first (30 mpg vs 19 mpg best EPA combined).
Scorecard: Q8 2.5 pts · Nautilus 1.5 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Q8 | 2026 Nautilus | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $76,900 | — | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | — | 37.9% | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 19 mpg | 30 mpg | Nautilus |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 631 hp | 285 hp | Q8 |
| Max towing (1) | 7,700 lb | 1,750 lb | Q8 |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | — | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 4 | 12 | Q8 |
| Weighted points | 2.5 | 1.5 | Q8 |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Nautilus — 30 mpg vs 19 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Towing. Towing: the Q8 — 7,700 lb vs 1,750 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Q8: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Nautilus: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Q8 4, Nautilus 12.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Q8 2019 (avoid), 2020 (solid), 2021 (caution).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Q8 | 2026 Nautilus | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $76,900 | — |
| Top-trim MSRP | $139,700 | — |
| Horsepower | 335–631 hp | 250–285 hp |
| Max torque | 627 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 19 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 24–30 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 7,700 lb | 1,750 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | — / 5 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
There's no 5-year retention figure for the Q8 yet. A 5-year-old (2021) Nautilus lists for a median $25,358 — 37.9% of today's median new price of $66,845.
Shop both
- See 3,740 new 2027 Audi Q8s for sale →Median listed price $86,780 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2026 Lincoln Nautilus for sale →
Negotiating either one?
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More on the Audi Q8
More on the Lincoln Nautilus
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Q8 better than the Nautilus?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Q8 — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–1.5 across 4 categories, winning on more available power (631 hp vs 285 hp) and more towing capacity (7,700 lb vs 1,750 lb). Choose the Nautilus if fuel economy comes first (30 mpg vs 19 mpg best EPA combined).
Which is more reliable, the Q8 or the Nautilus?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Q8 and 12 for the Nautilus.
Which holds its value better, the Q8 or the Nautilus?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the Q8 or the Nautilus?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Q8 or the Nautilus?
The Nautilus: up to 30 mpg combined vs 19 mpg for the Q8 (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Audi Q8 vs Lincoln Nautilus: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/audi-q8-vs-lincoln-nautilus, updated November 8, 2026.