Lincoln Nautilus vs Toyota bZ

The 2026 Toyota bZ was offered in XLE and Limited trims, with options for single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) or dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD), and two battery sizes. Models with the larger battery were priced higher but provided enhanced power, performance, and range, with prices ranging from $36,495 to $46,895, including the destination charge. The XLE test vehicle featured FWD and the optional larger battery, transforming it into the XLE Plus for an additional $3,000. The vehicle's exterior was enhanced with Heavy Metal paint and other options, bringing the MSRP to $40,468. The restyled 2026 bZ appeared more appealing with body-color trim, although some colors retained the black overfender trim. Inside, the dashboard and center console were redesigned for a cleaner look, and the fabric seats in the XLE had an upscale pattern. The center touchscreen was increased to 14 inches, integrating climate control, which included large temperature dials and buttons for defog/defrost functions. However, the digital driver display remained a point of contention due to its placement and size.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a stately appearance with a distinctive grille and squinting eye-slit headlights. The body featured a wide stance with a contrasting black roof and pillars, and the door handles were integrated into the shoulder line. The rear design included a spoiler and full-width taillight, with standard 19-inch alloy wheels and larger options available. The Jet Appearance package added satin dark luster wheels and other blacked-out elements. Inside, the Nautilus adopted a high-end look with a 48-inch screen at the base of the windshield, requiring a unique steering wheel design. The interior layout featured a stepped design, with a low-set center console and a wide display screen. The base Premiere trim offered synthetic leather upholstery, while higher trims upgraded to leather with additional color options. The top Black Label model provided Chalet or Aurora design themes, each offering a distinct ambiance.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered a choice between a single electric motor with a 57.7-kWh battery pack, delivering 165 horsepower and 198 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 74.7-kWh battery that increased power to 224 hp. The dual-motor models, available only with the larger battery, produced a combined 338 hp. The XLE AWD offered a range of 288 miles, while the Limited trim had a slightly reduced range of 278 miles. Recharging the bZ using a DC fast charger could bring the battery from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes, and the switch to a NACS port made it compatible with Tesla Superchargers. The bZ's performance was agreeable for city driving, but the FWD model struggled with traction in certain situations. On the highway, it provided a comfortable ride, though mid-range passing power was limited. The bZ's handling on winding roads was not its strong suit, with the Bridgestone Turanza all-season tires contributing to understeer.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD. The hybrid variant, which was tested, offered 310 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, using a CVT. The hybrid's performance was adequate for passing, with a 0-60 mph time of about 7 seconds. The Nautilus prioritized comfort over sportiness, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. The Reserve and Black Label trims added adaptive dampers for a softer ride. The Nautilus offered multiple drive modes, but its handling remained soft and spongy. The ride was smooth, even with the largest 22-inch wheels, though rippled surfaces could cause some jiggling.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured a skateboard-style EV platform with 8.1 inches of ground clearance, making it easy to enter and exit. Both front seats had standard height adjustment, with eight-way power adjustment available in XLE and Limited trims. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated front seats in the Limited trim. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but offered ample storage options, including a large bin under the center armrest and a tray beneath the center console. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom, though foot space was limited. The cargo area provided 27.7 cubic feet of space, with an underfloor storage well and a maximum of 56.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus emphasized comfort for both front and rear passengers. Standard features included power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a heated steering wheel. Higher trims offered ventilated front seats, 24-way power front seats with massage, and heated rear seats. The second row provided 43.2 inches of legroom and a fold-down center armrest with cupholders. The rear seats folded down via power releases, offering 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats upright and 71.3 cubic feet when folded. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free version available.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The driver display was criticized for its placement and size, while the infotainment system was generally user-friendly. However, it lacked a home screen for simultaneous data display and had low-contrast colors in daytime mode. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with several connected service plans available. The Drive Connect system powered the native navigation and voice assistant, which performed well in testing.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus featured a full-width 48-inch screen at the base of the windshield, displaying essential information. An 11.1-inch touchscreen handled infotainment controls, including navigation, climate settings, and phone mirroring. Standard features included a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, digital key, satellite radio, and a wireless smartphone charger. The audio system options ranged from a standard 10-speaker setup to a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D unit. The Black Label trim offered Lincoln Rejuvenate, a relaxation program using scent, seating, and visuals.

The 2026 Toyota bZ was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist provided additional safety, and the Limited trim added Traffic Jam Assist and other advanced features. The bZ's adaptive cruise control had inconsistent responses in traffic, and the driver monitoring system was overly sensitive. The IIHS rated the bZ's front-crash avoidance tech as Good, but the headlights received a Poor rating, and frontal-impact crash tests earned Acceptable ratings.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering, and automatic emergency braking. Lincoln BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system, was also standard. While effective, BlueCruise had some issues with driver monitoring. The Nautilus scored well in crash tests, earning a perfect five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.