Aviator vs Nautilus
Staying with Lincoln narrows the field but doesn’t settle it. The Aviator and the Nautilus still take different approaches. The spec sheets tell two different stories. The Aviator’s strength is engine & performance; the Nautilus’s is fuel economy & range.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Aviator wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Nautilus wins
- Space & Practicality Aviator wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Price Nautilus wins
- Fuel Economy & Range7.2
- 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 Aviator has 150 hp more power
The Aviator clearly leads on total system output, and 400 hp versus 250 hp is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. 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 fuel economy
Not a big gap, but a consistent one. The Nautilus’s 24 mpg beats the Aviator’s 21 mpg. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
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The Aviator has room for 6 seats
The Aviator wins this narrowly, 6 seats against 5 seats, which makes it more of a bonus than a reason to buy. Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there.
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The Nautilus has better city fuel economy
On fuel economy (city), the Nautilus posts 21 mpg against 18 mpg for the Aviator, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. Hybrids often shine in the city, and the Nautilus has the better rating here.
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The Nautilus has better highway fuel economy
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 29 mpg for the Nautilus versus 25 mpg for the Aviator. Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Aviator | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 119.1 in | N/A (not specified) |
Engine & Performance
Aviator leads
This is one of the Aviator’s strongest areas. On engine & performance, the Nautilus falls well short. Point to the Aviator for 150 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. If engine & performance is your priority, the Aviator is the car to pick.
Total system output
Aviator: 400 hp Nautilus: 250 hp The Aviator’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Fuel Economy & Range
Nautilus leads
Look at the fuel economy & range table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Nautilus. The Nautilus delivers better fuel economy. The Nautilus uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. Anyone shopping mainly on fuel economy & range should start with the Nautilus.
Fuel economy (combined)
Aviator: 21 mpg Nautilus: 24 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (city)
Aviator: 18 mpg Nautilus: 21 mpg In town, driving style has a big effect, but the Nautilus starts from a better baseline.
Space & Practicality
Aviator leads
The Aviator edges the space & practicality section, though the Nautilus stays close. The Aviator takes this one with room for 6 seats. The Aviator has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools. So if space & practicality tops your list, lean toward the Aviator.
Seats
Aviator: 6 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
Neither the Aviator nor the Nautilus has a real advantage in the off-road & towing category. The off-road & towing verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Safety & Tech
We don’t score this area directly, because the safety & tech specs are labels rather than measurements. The table shows what each lists.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Aviator | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 3.0L twin-turbo V6 | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 400 hp (winner) | 250 hp |
| Torque | 415 lb-ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD (AWD available) | AWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Aviator | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 21 mpg | 24 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 18 mpg | 21 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 25 mpg | 29 mpg (winner) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Aviator | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 6 seats (winner) | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Aviator | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 6,700 lb | N/A (not specified) |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Aviator | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 11.1 in Smallest touchscreen |
| Driver-assist suite | Lincoln Co-Pilot360 | Lincoln Co-Pilot360 |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Aviator | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 119.1 in | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Aviator | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $59,295 | $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
A price gap of $5,355 at launch won’t make or break this decision. The Nautilus saves you $5,355, and given the trade-offs, that saving deserves serious thought.
Launch prices in the US as of launch; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Aviator if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (400 hp vs 250 hp)
- you regularly carry extra passengers (6 seats vs 5 seats)
Choose the Nautilus if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (24 mpg vs 21 mpg)
- you want better city fuel economy (21 mpg vs 18 mpg)
- you want better highway fuel economy (29 mpg vs 25 mpg)
- you’d put the $5,355 saving toward something else
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Aviator or the Nautilus?
It depends on your priorities: the Aviator is stronger on engine & performance, while the Nautilus leads on fuel economy & range.
Which costs less, the Aviator or the Nautilus?
At launch, the Nautilus undercut the Aviator by $5,355. These figures are as of launch, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
Two siblings, one decision. Here’s how I’d think about the Aviator versus the Nautilus. Here’s what matters most to me: the Aviator offers 150 hp more power. And the Aviator doesn’t stop there; it also offers room for 6 seats. The Nautilus isn’t without merit: better fuel economy is a real advantage.
Who should get which? The Aviator for engine & performance, the Nautilus for fuel economy & range.
My pick: decide whether you’d miss engine & performance or fuel economy & range more, then buy the Aviator or the Nautilus accordingly.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.