INFINITI QX65 vs. Lincoln Nautilus
The Lincoln Nautilus and the INFINITI QX65 arrive at nearly the same starting price. But they are very different vehicles. Here is what separates them.
Nearly the Same Price. Very Different Personalities.
The Lincoln Nautilus is a legitimately compelling luxury SUV — its sweeping exterior, 48-inch panoramic interior display, and standard BlueCruise hands-free driving system make it one of the most distinctive American luxury vehicles on the market. It starts at $53,995, nearly identical to the QX65's $55,535.
Where the QX65 sets itself apart is in its fastback body style — a dramatic roofline no Lincoln can match — along with more horsepower, dramatically higher towing capacity, a longer basic warranty, and full Google Built-In. The Nautilus wins on its interior display and hybrid availability. The QX65 wins on performance, towing, and exterior drama.
| Specification | INFINITI QX65 | Lincoln Nautilus Premiere AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $55,535 | $53,995 ✓ |
| Engine | 2.0L VC-Turbo I-4 | 2.0L Turbo I-4 |
| Horsepower | 268 hp ✓ | 250 hp |
| Torque | 286 lb-ft ✓ | 280 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | AWD Standard | AWD Standard |
| Body Style | Fastback / Coupe-SUV | Traditional SUV |
| Seating | 5 Passengers | 5 Passengers |
| Cargo — Behind Row 2 | 35.8 cu ft | 36.4 cu ft ✓ |
| Fuel Economy (combined) | 22 mpg est. | 24 mpg ✓ |
| Google Built-In | Standard ✓ | Google Assistant (partial) |
| Wireless CarPlay / Android Auto | Standard | Standard |
| Interior Display | Dual 12.3" screens | 48-inch panoramic display ✓ |
| Wireless Phone Charging | Qi2 Standard | Standard |
| Driver Assistance | ProPilot Standard | BlueCruise Standard |
| Towing Capacity | 6,000 lbs ✓ | 1,750 lbs |
| Hybrid Available | No | Yes (285 hp, 30/31 mpg) ✓ |
| Assembly | Smyrna, TN — USA ✓ | Oakville, Ontario, Canada |
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr / 60,000 mi ✓ | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 6 yr / 70,000 mi ✓ |
6,000 lbs vs. 1,750 lbs — The Nautilus Cannot Tow
This is the single most decisive difference between these two vehicles. The INFINITI QX65 is rated to tow up to 6,000 lbs when properly equipped. The Lincoln Nautilus is rated for only 1,750 lbs — a figure so low it cannot tow a standard boat trailer, a mid-size camper, or even a loaded single-axle utility trailer. The QX65 can tow more than three times what the Nautilus can handle.
To put 1,750 lbs in real-world context: that is roughly the limit of a small personal watercraft on a lightweight trailer, or an empty cargo trailer. A standard 19-foot fishing boat with a trailer typically weighs 3,500–4,500 lbs. A small travel trailer starts at 2,500 lbs. The Nautilus cannot tow any of these. The QX65 handles all of them comfortably.
The Nautilus's low towing rating is a platform limitation, not an option package issue. No trim level of the Nautilus significantly increases this figure. For any buyer who tows — or even occasionally borrows a trailer — the QX65 is the only practical choice between these two vehicles.
VC-Turbo vs. Conventional Turbo: The Engineering Difference
Both vehicles use a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but they are not the same engine. The Lincoln Nautilus uses a conventional fixed-compression turbo producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The INFINITI QX65 uses INFINITI's proprietary VC-Turbo — the world's first production variable compression ratio engine — producing 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque.
The VC-Turbo's ability to dynamically shift its compression ratio between 8:1 and 14:1 means it can optimize for power when you need it and efficiency when you do not. This is why the QX65 produces more power than the Nautilus while still achieving competitive fuel economy — the engine is not forced to choose between the two.
The 18 horsepower and 6 lb-ft torque advantage the QX65 holds over the Nautilus is modest in isolation, but combined with the QX65's fastback body and available sport-tuned suspension, it translates to a noticeably more engaging driving character.
Google Built-In vs. Lincoln's 48-Inch Display
The Lincoln Nautilus's 48-inch panoramic interior display is genuinely spectacular — a single curved screen that spans the entire dashboard from driver to passenger. It is one of the most visually dramatic interiors in any vehicle at this price point, and it is a legitimate differentiator for buyers who spend a lot of time in the cabin.
The INFINITI QX65 counters with dual 12.3-inch screens and full Google Built-In as standard. This means Google Maps is the native navigation system — not a mirrored version from your phone, but a fully integrated system with real-time traffic, live lane guidance, and Google account sync. Google Assistant responds to natural voice commands for navigation, calls, and media without requiring a connected phone. Google Play provides access to apps natively through the vehicle's display.
The Nautilus supports Google Assistant through a partial integration, but it is not the same as full Google Built-In. The distinction matters for daily use: with Google Built-In, your navigation history, saved places, and Google account preferences are available the moment you get in the car, with no phone required.
Where the Lincoln Nautilus Has the Genuine Edge
The Nautilus's 48-inch panoramic display is its strongest card, and it is a real one. No other vehicle at this price point offers a comparable interior screen experience. If you spend significant time in your vehicle and the cabin environment matters as much as what it can do outside, the Nautilus interior is hard to dismiss.
BlueCruise, Lincoln's standard hands-free highway driving system, is also a genuine advantage. It enables hands-free driving on over 130,000 miles of pre-mapped highways in North America — a feature INFINITI's ProPilot system does not fully replicate at the same level of hands-free operation.
The Nautilus also has a slight fuel economy edge at 24 mpg combined versus the QX65's estimated 22 mpg, and its available hybrid powertrain at 30–31 mpg is a meaningful option for fuel-conscious buyers. The Nautilus also carries a longer powertrain warranty at 6 years/70,000 miles versus the QX65's 5 years/60,000 miles.
Finally, the Nautilus starts $1,540 less than the QX65 and offers slightly more cargo space behind the second row — 36.4 versus 35.8 cubic feet. These are modest differences, but they are real.
Where the QX65 Has the Clear Advantage
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Lincoln Nautilus if:
- The 48-inch panoramic interior display is a priority for you.
- You want BlueCruise hands-free highway driving as standard.
- You want a hybrid option at 30–31 mpg.
- You never or rarely tow anything.
Buy the INFINITI QX65 if:
- You need to tow a boat, camper, or trailer — the Nautilus simply cannot do it.
- You want full Google Built-In, not a partial integration.
- You want a bold fastback design that stands apart from every Nautilus in the lot.
- You want more horsepower and a longer basic warranty.
- You want a vehicle assembled in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the INFINITI QX65 tow more than the Lincoln Nautilus?
Yes — significantly more. The INFINITI QX65 is rated to tow up to 6,000 lbs when properly equipped. The Lincoln Nautilus is rated for only 1,750 lbs. The QX65 can tow more than three times what the Nautilus can handle.
Does the INFINITI QX65 have more horsepower than the Lincoln Nautilus?
Yes. The 2027 INFINITI QX65 produces 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque. The Lincoln Nautilus Premiere produces 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft — the QX65 is the stronger vehicle at the same starting price.
Does the INFINITI QX65 have Google Built-In?
Yes. Every 2027 INFINITI QX65 comes standard with full Google Built-In — Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play are natively integrated. The Lincoln Nautilus supports Google Assistant through a partial integration but does not offer the full Google Built-In platform.
Which has a better warranty, the INFINITI QX65 or Lincoln Nautilus?
The INFINITI QX65 carries a 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty — 10,000 more miles than the Lincoln Nautilus's 4-year/50,000-mile coverage. The Lincoln Nautilus has a longer powertrain warranty at 6 years/70,000 miles versus the QX65's 5 years/60,000 miles.
Is the Lincoln Nautilus or INFINITI QX65 better for daily driving?
Both are excellent daily drivers. The Lincoln Nautilus has a slight fuel economy edge at 24 mpg combined and its 48-inch panoramic interior display is genuinely impressive. The INFINITI QX65 offers more horsepower, full Google Built-In, and a panoramic sunroof as standard. The right choice depends on whether you prioritize interior technology or performance and towing capability.
INFINITI QX65 over Lincoln Nautilus
The Lincoln Nautilus is genuinely competitive — its 48-inch interior display is spectacular, BlueCruise hands-free driving is a real advantage, and a hybrid option is available. At a nearly identical starting price, it deserves serious consideration. But the INFINITI QX65 counters with more horsepower, dramatically higher towing capacity — more than three times the Nautilus — a longer basic warranty, American assembly, full Google Built-In, and a bold fastback design that the Nautilus simply cannot replicate.
Experience the QX65 at INFINITI of Akron
Visit us to see the all-new QX65 in person. Our team will walk you through every trim and feature — no pressure, no games.