2019 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2020 Subaru Outback
Overview | |
MSRP$40,340 | MSRP$26,645 |
Listings77 | Listings154 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.7 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.7 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
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2019 Lincoln Nautilus Reviews SummaryLincoln’s alphabet soup of car names is no worse than Acura's, Cadillac's, or INFINITI's, and they haven’t done much good for Ford's middling luxury division. The quest to copy European brands by dropping original names for 3-letter abbreviations—MKC, MKT, MKX, MKZ—has confused everyone. The Navigator has become Lincoln's most recognizable modern vehicle, more so than the new Continental sedan, as an ultra-lavish three-row SUV. The Nautilus, formerly the MKX, is a sedate 2-row SUV that’s just gone through an extensive refresh. Not many shoppers know what it is yet, but the significant upgrade warrants your attention. | |
2020 Subaru Outback Reviews SummarySubaru kept the wagon vibes rolling while the rest of the world fell in love with SUVs and crossovers. And, although the 2020 Outback is technically a midsize crossover, one look will have you remembering summer drives in an overstuffed station wagon down a busy highway, whether you actually took those trips or not. And that’s not a bad thing. The Outback has always provided utility, performance, and looks, and those things have made it Subaru’s top-selling model. With the updates for this sixth generation, I wouldn’t be surprised to see America falling in love with the station wagon again. | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 250 hp I4 | Engine2.5L 182 hp H4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainAWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower250 hp @ 5500 rpm | Horsepower182 hp @ 5800 rpm |
MPG City21 | MPG City26 |
MPG Highway26 | MPG Highway33 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 250 hp I4 | Engine Name2.5L 182 hp H4 |
Torque275 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | Torque178 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
Horsepower250 hp @ 5500 rpm | Horsepower182 hp @ 5800 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainAWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City21 | MPG City26 |
MPG Highway26 | MPG Highway33 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space37.2 cu ft | Cargo Space32.5 cu ft |
Curb Weight4142 lbs | Curb Weight3634 lbs |
Height66.2 in | Height66.1 in |
Length190.0 in | Length191.3 in |
Width86.1 in | Width82.0 in |
Wheelbase112.2 in | Wheelbase108.1 in |
Maximum Payload | Maximum Payload1071 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity3500 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity2700 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity2000 lbs | Standard Towing Capacity |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $40,340 | $26,645 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 7.7 out of 10Read full review | 7.7 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
Summary | Lincoln’s alphabet soup of car names is no worse than Acura's, Cadillac's, or INFINITI's, and they haven’t done much good for Ford's middling luxury division. The quest to copy European brands by dropping original names for 3-letter abbreviations—MKC, MKT, MKX, MKZ—has confused everyone. The Navigator has become Lincoln's most recognizable modern vehicle, more so than the new Continental sedan, as an ultra-lavish three-row SUV. The Nautilus, formerly the MKX, is a sedate 2-row SUV that’s just gone through an extensive refresh. Not many shoppers know what it is yet, but the significant upgrade warrants your attention. | Subaru kept the wagon vibes rolling while the rest of the world fell in love with SUVs and crossovers. And, although the 2020 Outback is technically a midsize crossover, one look will have you remembering summer drives in an overstuffed station wagon down a busy highway, whether you actually took those trips or not. And that’s not a bad thing. The Outback has always provided utility, performance, and looks, and those things have made it Subaru’s top-selling model. With the updates for this sixth generation, I wouldn’t be surprised to see America falling in love with the station wagon again. |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 250 hp I4 | 2.5L 182 hp H4 |
Drive Train | FWD | AWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 250 hp @ 5500 rpm | 182 hp @ 5800 rpm |
MPG City | 21 | 26 |
MPG Highway | 26 | 33 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 250 hp I4 | 2.5L 182 hp H4 |
Torque | 275 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 178 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
Horsepower | 250 hp @ 5500 rpm | 182 hp @ 5800 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | AWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 21 | 26 |
MPG Highway | 26 | 33 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 37.2 cu ft | 32.5 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 4142 lbs | 3634 lbs |
Height | 66.2 in | 66.1 in |
Length | 190.0 in | 191.3 in |
Width | 86.1 in | 82.0 in |
Wheelbase | 112.2 in | 108.1 in |
Maximum Payload | 1071 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 3500 lbs | 2700 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity | 2000 lbs | |
CarGurus experts rate the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus at 9 out of 10 and the 2020 Subaru Outback at 8 out of 10 for look and feel.
The Nautilus is a refined and elegant SUV with a handsome and well-defined exterior. Its swept roofline, arching rear shoulder line, and slim tailgate give it a toned and attractive appearance. The interior boasts pleasant colors, upholstery, and fabrics, especially in the Black Label trim, which offers luxurious features such as soft leather seats and attractive matte wood accents.
The 2020 Outback maintains its winning formula with incremental improvements. It features a wealth of utility, safety, and performance, along with a rather handsome profile. The exterior changes are subtle, but the interior debuts with an innovative 11.6-inch touchscreen and a DriverFocus system that uses facial recognition to identify and adjust settings between drivers.










CarGurus experts rate the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus 7 out of 10 and the 2020 Subaru Outback 7 out of 10.
The Nautilus offers a new turbocharged 2.0-liter base engine and an optional twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6, providing 250 horsepower and 335 horsepower, respectively. It delivers a comfortable and composed ride with responsive steering and a refined transmission. The Nautilus achieves an average fuel economy for its class.
The Outback features an upgraded 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower and a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower. Both engines are paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offer impressive performance. The Outback's symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) system provides excellent on-road and off-road capabilities.
CarGurus experts rate the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus 7 out of 10 and the 2020 Subaru Outback 8 out of 10.
The Nautilus offers a spacious and functional interior with a user-friendly infotainment system and ample cargo space. It features a simple and elegant design with convenient controls and impressive visibility.
The Outback provides generous passenger and cargo space, along with excellent visibility. Its functional design and increased interior volume make it a practical and versatile choice for various lifestyles.
CarGurus experts rate the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus 7 out of 10 and the 2020 Subaru Outback 6 out of 10.
The Nautilus features the Sync 3 infotainment system, offering seamless connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa support. It also includes advanced driver-assistance features and a high-quality audio system.
The Outback introduces a tablet-style 11.6-inch touchscreen, providing a modern and visually appealing interface. However, it experiences some lag issues and lower camera resolution, which may impact the overall user experience.
CarGurus experts rate the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus 9 out of 10 and the 2020 Subaru Outback 8 out of 10.
The Nautilus boasts a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision alert, automatic braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring.
The Outback offers standard AWD and a suite of safety features, including Subaru's EyeSight system. However, the DriverFocus system has shown some issues with false alerts, impacting its effectiveness.
CarGurus highlights

CarGurus experts evaluated the two vehicles in the contexts of their own classes, and each scored equally well: The overall rating for both the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus and the 2020 Subaru Outback was 7.7 out of 10. Both offer compelling features and capabilities. However, considering the higher safety rating and the emphasis on luxury and advanced technology, the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus emerges as the recommended choice for consumers seeking a refined and well-equipped luxury SUV.
Choose the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus if:
- You prioritize luxury and elegance in both exterior and interior design.
- You seek a refined and comfortable driving experience with advanced safety features.
- You are willing to invest in a well-equipped and competitively priced luxury SUV.
Choose the 2020 Subaru Outback if:
- You value practicality, versatility, and off-road capabilities in a vehicle.
- You are looking for a spacious and functional interior with modern technology features.
- You prioritize cost-effectiveness and a wide range of pricing options.
CarGurus highlights

CarGurus experts evaluated the two vehicles in the contexts of their own classes, and each scored equally well: The overall rating for both the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus and the 2020 Subaru Outback was 7.7 out of 10. Both offer compelling features and capabilities. However, considering the higher safety rating and the emphasis on luxury and advanced technology, the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus emerges as the recommended choice for consumers seeking a refined and well-equipped luxury SUV.
Choose the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus if:
Shop Now- You prioritize luxury and elegance in both exterior and interior design.
- You seek a refined and comfortable driving experience with advanced safety features.
- You are willing to invest in a well-equipped and competitively priced luxury SUV.
Choose the 2020 Subaru Outback if:
Shop Now- You value practicality, versatility, and off-road capabilities in a vehicle.
- You are looking for a spacious and functional interior with modern technology features.
- You prioritize cost-effectiveness and a wide range of pricing options.

By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.








































