TX 350 vs Nautilus
Lexus versus Lincoln: the TX 350 and the Nautilus go after the same midsize luxury suv buyer. Scoring each area separately, the TX 350 comes out on top 3 times out of 5. Its lead is sharpest in space & practicality.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance TX 350 wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Nautilus wins
- Space & Practicality TX 350 wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Safety & Tech TX 350 wins
- Price Nautilus 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 TX 350 has room for 7 seats
If seats is one of your priorities, this settles it: the TX 350 leads clearly with 7 seats to the Nautilus’s 5 seats. The TX 350 has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools.
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The TX 350 has 25 hp more power
The TX 350 gets a small bonus on total system output, with 275 hp against the Nautilus’s 250 hp. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
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The TX 350 has a bigger 14 in touchscreen
The numbers aren’t close. The TX 350 lists 14 in for largest touchscreen, while the Nautilus lists 11.1 in. A bigger touchscreen makes maps and phone mirroring easier to read at a glance.
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The Nautilus has better highway fuel economy
Small gaps can still matter over time, and here the Nautilus leads 29 mpg to 27 mpg. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | TX 350 | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 203.2 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 78.4 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Height | 70.1 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 116.1 in | N/A (not specified) |
Engine & Performance
TX 350 leads
This area is close, with the TX 350 just ahead of the Nautilus. The TX 350 scores with 25 hp more power. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels. The engine & performance verdict goes to the TX 350.
Total system output
TX 350: 275 hp Nautilus: 250 hp The TX 350’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Fuel Economy & Range
Nautilus leads
On fuel economy & range, the Nautilus comes out slightly ahead. The Nautilus stands out with better highway fuel economy. Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds. Weighing only fuel economy & range, the Nautilus comes out ahead.
Fuel economy (highway)
TX 350: 27 mpg Nautilus: 29 mpg The Nautilus uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Space & Practicality
TX 350 leads
In the space & practicality category, the TX 350 isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. In its favor, the TX 350 has room for 7 seats. Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there. On space & practicality alone, the TX 350 gets the nod.
Seats
TX 350: 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
There’s no meaningful winner in the off-road & towing section; the two are too close to separate. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Safety & Tech
TX 350 leads
The TX 350 does a little better in the safety & tech section, though nothing here is a deal-breaker for the Nautilus. Choose the TX 350 and you get a bigger 14 in touchscreen. The TX 350’s larger display gives navigation and menus more room. For anyone who cares most about safety & tech, the TX 350 is the safer choice.
Largest touchscreen
TX 350: 14 in Nautilus: 11.1 in Screen size isn’t everything (physical controls and software speed matter too), but bigger is easier to read.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | TX 350 | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.4L turbo I4 | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 275 hp (winner) | 250 hp |
| Torque | 317 lb-ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | AWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | TX 350 | 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) |
| Fuel tank | 17.8 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | TX 350 | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7 seats (winner) | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 20.2 cu ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 97 cu ft Most room, seats folded | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | TX 350 | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | N/A (not specified) |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | TX 350 | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 14 in (winner) | 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 | TX 350 | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 203.2 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 78.4 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Height | 70.1 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 116.1 in | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | TX 350 | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $56,940 | $53,940 (winner) |
“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
At launch, the difference was a modest $3,000, with the Nautilus slightly more affordable. The TX 350 asks for $3,000 more and delivers room for 7 seats and 25 hp more power in return.
Launch prices in the US as of launch; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the TX 350 if…
- you regularly carry extra passengers (7 seats vs 5 seats)
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (275 hp vs 250 hp)
- you rely on navigation and phone mirroring on a larger display (14 in vs 11.1 in)
Choose the Nautilus if…
- you want better highway fuel economy (29 mpg vs 27 mpg)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $3,000 more
- you prefer staying with Lincoln
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the TX 350 or the Nautilus?
The TX 350 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you specifically want better highway fuel economy, where the Nautilus has the edge.
Is the TX 350 cheaper than the Nautilus?
Going by launch prices, the Nautilus costs $3,000 less than the TX 350. Prices as of launch; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
The TX 350 versus the Nautilus is a matchup I find genuinely interesting, because Lexus and Lincoln made different bets. What I like most about the TX 350 here is room for 7 seats. There’s a bonus as well: the TX 350 has 25 hp more power. The Nautilus has a trump card of its own in better highway fuel economy.
If engine & performance is your thing, the TX 350 fits. If fuel economy & range matters more, the Nautilus makes more sense.
My pick: the TX 350. I’d only go for the Nautilus if you know that better highway fuel economy would make a real difference in your routine.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.