2026–27 Lincoln Aviator vs Lincoln Nautilus: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Aviator — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–2 across 4 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (41.5% vs 37.9%) and more available power (400 hp vs 285 hp). Choose the Nautilus if fuel economy comes first (30 mpg vs 20 mpg best EPA combined).
Scorecard: Aviator 2.5 pts · Nautilus 2 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Aviator | 2026 Nautilus | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 41.5% | 37.9% | Aviator |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 20 mpg | 30 mpg | Nautilus |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 400 hp | 285 hp | Aviator |
| Max towing (1) | — | 1,750 lb | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 26 | 12 | Nautilus |
| Weighted points | 2.5 | 2 | Aviator |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Nautilus — 30 mpg vs 20 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Aviator — 41.5% vs 37.9% (5-year value retained).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Aviator: 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: Aviator 26, Nautilus 12.
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 Aviator | 2026 Nautilus | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 400 hp | 250–285 hp |
| Max torque | 415 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 20 mpg | 24–30 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | — | 1,750 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 7 | — / 5 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Aviator lists for a median $29,857 — 41.5% of today's median new price of $71,998. 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 5,838 new 2027 Lincoln Aviators for sale →Median listed price $71,904 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2026 Lincoln Nautilus for sale →
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Lincoln Aviator
More on the Lincoln Nautilus
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Aviator better than the Nautilus?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Aviator — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–2 across 4 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (41.5% vs 37.9%) and more available power (400 hp vs 285 hp). Choose the Nautilus if fuel economy comes first (30 mpg vs 20 mpg best EPA combined).
Which is more reliable, the Aviator 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 26 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Aviator and 12 for the Nautilus.
Which holds its value better, the Aviator or the Nautilus?
The Aviator: a 5-year-old example lists for 41.5% of the new price, versus 37.9% for the Nautilus, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Aviator or the Nautilus?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Aviator or the Nautilus?
The Nautilus: up to 30 mpg combined vs 20 mpg for the Aviator (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 Lincoln Aviator vs Lincoln Nautilus: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/lincoln-aviator-vs-lincoln-nautilus, updated November 8, 2026.