2026–27 Lincoln Nautilus vs Lincoln Navigator: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Nautilus — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–2 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (37.9% vs 34.7%) and better fuel economy (30 mpg vs 18 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Navigator if you want the most power (440 hp vs 285 hp).
Scorecard: Nautilus 3.5 pts · Navigator 2 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Nautilus | 2027 Navigator | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | — | $102,995 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 37.9% | 34.7% | Nautilus |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 30 mpg | 18 mpg | Nautilus |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 285 hp | 440 hp | Navigator |
| Max towing (1) | 1,750 lb | 8,700 lb | Navigator |
| Standard seats (1) | — | 7 | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 12 | 15 | Nautilus |
| Weighted points | 3.5 | 2 | Nautilus |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Nautilus — 30 mpg vs 18 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Nautilus — 37.9% vs 34.7% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Navigator — 8,700 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
- Nautilus: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Navigator: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Nautilus 12, Navigator 15.
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 Nautilus | 2027 Navigator | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | — | $102,995 |
| Horsepower | 250–285 hp | 440 hp |
| Max torque | 295 lb-ft | 510 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 24–30 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 17–18 mpg |
| Max towing | 1,750 lb | 8,700 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 5 | 7 / 8 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Nautilus lists for a median $25,358 — 37.9% of today's median new price of $66,845. A 5-year-old (2021) Navigator lists for a median $37,995 — 34.7% of today's median new price of $109,621.
Shop both
- See new 2026 Lincoln Nautilus for sale →
- See 5,916 new 2027 Lincoln Navigators for sale →Median listed price $109,672 · updated Nov 7, 2026
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More on the Lincoln Nautilus
More on the Lincoln Navigator
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Nautilus better than the Navigator?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Nautilus — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–2 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (37.9% vs 34.7%) and better fuel economy (30 mpg vs 18 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Navigator if you want the most power (440 hp vs 285 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Nautilus or the Navigator?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Nautilus and 15 for the Navigator.
Which holds its value better, the Nautilus or the Navigator?
The Nautilus: a 5-year-old example lists for 37.9% of the new price, versus 34.7% for the Navigator, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Nautilus or the Navigator?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Nautilus or the Navigator?
The Nautilus: up to 30 mpg combined vs 18 mpg for the Navigator (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 Nautilus vs Lincoln Navigator: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/lincoln-nautilus-vs-lincoln-navigator, updated November 8, 2026.