2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2024 Genesis GV80

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus debuted in three trim levels: Premiere, Reserve, and Black Label. This model boasted a more sophisticated and streamlined exterior styling, signifying a fresh design direction for Lincoln. The newly designed grille, reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz’s aesthetic blends with striking LED lighting that extends through the grille and illuminates the Lincoln star logo. The effect was visually stunning and added a touch of modern elegance to the front.

This horizontal aesthetic extended to the rear with a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports. A unique design twist on the car’s profile included high-mounted door handles integrated into the beltline, enhancing its sleek look. Inside, the Nautilus showcased a premium interior with a 48-inch curved display standing out as the highlight. The interior materials were top-notch, featuring shiny, polished metals, ambient lighting, and rich textures like open-pore wood and fine leather. Though the piano key shifter style might not have been everyone's favorite, it remained a traditional Lincoln element.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV80 came in 2.5T and 3.5T models, with the 3.5T in top-shelf Prestige Signature trim flaunting an eye-catching Matterhorn White Matte paint job. Prestige Signature versions came in three exclusive colors and had dark chrome trim coupled with a stylish yet somewhat understated 22-inch wheel design. While the exterior was elegant, it wasn’t necessarily more appealing than the standard Prestige model, partly because the details on the wheels were obscured by black paint.

The GV80’s Ultramarine Blue over Dune interior was the epitome of luxury, featuring diamond-stitched Nappa premium leather, an artificial leather dashboard wrap, matte-finish wood trim, a suede headliner, and metallic-finish accents. Ambient lighting, a 3D digital instrument cluster, and a wide touchscreen infotainment system enhanced its high-end appeal, underscoring the GV80’s status as Genesis’s flagship SUV.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus started with a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This combination provided smooth power application and unobtrusive gear shifts, offering a sufficient driving experience that didn’t feel underpowered. However, for an extra $1,500, the hybrid setup offered a more compelling package with 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, alongside an EPA estimated 30 mpg in combined driving. The hybrid model also boasted a total range of over 600 miles, outperforming the gas-only engine’s 24 mpg combined.

Every Nautilus came equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD) and five drive modes: Normal, Excite, Conserve, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. The available adaptive suspension enhanced the driving experience, particularly in Excite mode, which tightened the steering and suspension for a more dynamic ride. Though the hybrid employed a continuously variable transmission (CVT), common for hybrids and not known for sporty driving, it managed to avoid the typical droning and fast engine speed issues.

On the other hand, the 2024 Genesis GV80 offered two powerful engine options. The 2.5T model featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, surpassing the power output of larger V6 engines in some rivals, like the Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60. The 3.5T test vehicle, with its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6, amped up performance with 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, though at the expense of fuel economy, returning 20 mpg combined according to the EPA but only 17.2 mpg in real-world testing.

Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, allowing drivers to toggle between five drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Custom, and Snow. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance and a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds, the GV80 was capable and versatile. The 3.5T model, in particular, featured upgraded front brakes and an adaptive damping suspension, resulting in an unexpectedly rewarding driving experience that combined luxury with a sporty feel.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus offered power-adjustable, heated, and cooled front seats across all trims, with the Black Label trim boasting 24-way Perfect Position front seats. These seats, often hailed as the most comfortable in their class, featured a massage function that operated continuously until turned off manually, a feature exceeding many competitors’ limitations. The rear seats, while not as luxurious, offered a generous 43 inches of legroom, accommodating even tall passengers comfortably. The Lincoln Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images to set different moods, adding to the interior’s appeal.

Cargo space in the Nautilus was ample, with 36 cubic feet behind the second row and 71 cubic feet with the seats folded down in the Premiere trim. This space decreased slightly in the Reserve and Black Label trims but still surpassed competitors like the Lexus RX. The Nautilus was strictly a five-seater, unlike some rivals offering three-row configurations, though these often compromised on adult seating comfort.

In comparison, the 2024 Genesis GV80 3.5T Advanced was the only trim with a third-row seat, whereas the Prestige Signature trim seated just four people due to its second-row captain’s chairs and large console. This configuration limited its usefulness for larger families, though the interior was undeniably luxurious, with premium leather, heated and ventilated seats, and a panoramic glass roof. However, the seats failed to impress in terms of comfort for long drives, feeling more like sitting on bubble wrap.

Cargo capacity in the GV80 was slightly more extensive, with 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 84 cubic feet with the seats folded down. However, careful handling was necessary due to the rear center console’s height in the Prestige Signature trim.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus stood out with its 48-inch curved display, a stunning visual feature divided into customizable sections for weather, audio, and other information. An 11.1-inch touchscreen on the center console handled basic infotainment tasks, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Google maps and Alexa Built-in enhanced user experience, while wireless charging and multiple USB ports added convenience. However, unlabelled steering wheel controls and menu-driven vent adjustments were notable distractions.

Genesis’s 2024 GV80 featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument display in the Prestige and Prestige Signature trims. A 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display was standard, though its placement might lead to reliance on the control dial on the center console. The GV80’s system included navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Voice recognition was user-friendly, and the infotainment interface was intuitive and glare-resistant. The digital key system allowed smartphone access to the SUV, and a Lexicon premium sound system provided high-fidelity audio, which will be upgraded to Bang & Olufsen in 2025. The Prestige models also included a helpful head-up display (HUD).

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured the comprehensive Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite, including lane-keeping assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and emergency braking. Every trim offered hands-free/eyes-up Blue Cruise 1.2 technology with a trial period for Premiere and Reserve trims. This system combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, with added features like automatic lane-change assist and In-Lane Repositioning for safer highway driving. Though not yet rated by the NHTSA for 2024, the previous model earned high marks in crash protection and rollover resistance.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 offered a suite of standard and available advanced driving-assistance systems (ADAS), such as a camera-based Blind-Spot View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Highway Driving Assist (HDA), the latter combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering and lane-change assist. HDA proved effective in light or dense, slow-moving traffic but less so at higher speeds with lane-switching motorists. The GV80 also featured an advanced collision-avoidance system and earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating and an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA.