XT6 vs Nautilus
Cadillac versus Lincoln: the XT6 and the Nautilus go after the same midsize luxury suv buyer. Neither wins across the board. The XT6 makes its case with space & practicality; the Nautilus makes its case with engine & performance.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Nautilus wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Nautilus wins
- Space & Practicality XT6 wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Price XT6 wins
- Fuel Economy & Range8.6
- Fuel Economy & Range9.1
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The XT6 has room for 7 seats
The spread here is large: 7 seats on the XT6 versus 5 seats on the Nautilus. Expect to notice it. Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there.
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The Nautilus has 15 hp more power
Not a big gap, but a consistent one. The Nautilus’s 250 hp beats the XT6’s 235 hp. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
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The Nautilus has better highway fuel economy
The Nautilus wins this narrowly, 29 mpg against 27 mpg, which makes it more of a bonus than a reason to buy. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | XT6 | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.8 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 112.7 in | N/A (not specified) |
Engine & Performance
Nautilus leads
The XT6 comes close on engine & performance, but the Nautilus does just enough to lead. On the Nautilus, you get 15 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. Weighing only engine & performance, the Nautilus comes out ahead.
Total system output
XT6: 235 hp Nautilus: 250 hp The Nautilus’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Fuel Economy & Range
Nautilus leads
Slight edge to the Nautilus on fuel economy & range. Most buyers could live happily with either. The Nautilus wins here with better highway fuel economy. Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds. So if fuel economy & range tops your list, lean toward the Nautilus.
Fuel economy (highway)
XT6: 27 mpg Nautilus: 29 mpg The Nautilus uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Space & Practicality
XT6 leads
The Nautilus has a tough time in the space & practicality section, where the XT6 pulls well ahead. The XT6 scores with room for 7 seats. The XT6 has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools. That makes the XT6 the natural choice for buyers focused on space & practicality.
Seats
XT6: 7 seats Nautilus: 5 seats Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t off-road & towing. Both cover off-road & towing well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Safety & Tech
The XT6 and the Nautilus differ on safety & tech in ways that are described rather than measured. The table has the details.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | XT6 | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 235 hp | 250 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | AWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | XT6 | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 23 mpg | 24 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 21 mpg | 21 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 27 mpg | 29 mpg (winner) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | XT6 | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7 seats (winner) | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 12.6 cu ft Smallest cargo area | N/A (not specified) |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 78.7 cu ft | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | XT6 | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 4,000 lb | N/A (not specified) |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | XT6 | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 11.1 in Smallest touchscreen |
| Driver-assist suite | N/A (not specified) | Lincoln Co-Pilot360 |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | XT6 | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.8 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 112.7 in | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | XT6 | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $49,195 (winner) | $53,940 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The XT6 has a small price advantage of $4,745 at launch. For a mixed result like this, the XT6 and its $4,745 saving is the default, unless the Nautilus’s strengths are exactly what you need.
These are US launch prices, recorded launch; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the XT6 if…
- you regularly carry extra passengers (7 seats vs 5 seats)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $4,745 matters
- you’re comfortable with how Cadillac does things
Choose the Nautilus if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (250 hp vs 235 hp)
- you cover long highway distances (29 mpg vs 27 mpg on the highway)
- you prefer staying with Lincoln
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the XT6 or the Nautilus?
Neither wins outright. Choose the XT6 if space & practicality matters most, or the Nautilus if engine & performance does.
Is the XT6 cheaper than the Nautilus?
At launch, the XT6 undercut the Nautilus by $4,745. These figures are as of launch, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
The XT6 and the Nautilus are aimed at each other, and I think the gaps between them are more interesting than the headlines. I think the XT6 makes its strongest case with room for 7 seats. I’ll admit the Nautilus has a point with 15 hp more power.
If you’d rather have strength in space & practicality, go with the XT6. If engine & performance is what you’d miss, go with the Nautilus.
My pick: whichever matches your priority, since space & practicality means the XT6 and engine & performance means the Nautilus.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.