2026 Lincoln Nautilus® vs. Audi Q5 Comparison Guide | Barrington, IL
Captivating style, premium technology, and adaptable interiors await in the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus® and 2026 Audi Q5. Each of these two-row luxury SUVs sets a high standard of connectivity, versatility, and comfort, but there are several notable differences in performance, design, and technology that may make one a stronger choice for your requirements. Utilize this Nautilus vs. Q5 comparison from the specialists at Wickstrom Lincoln to discover what sets each model apart.
You can learn more about the Lincoln Nautilus, including colors, pricing, and other key specs with our model review. To experience the fine-tuned performance and innovative technology for yourself, set up a test drive with your favorite new Nautilus for sale in Barrington, IL.
For more information about any of our available luxury vehicles, reach out to your dedicated Wickstrom Lincoln representative online or by calling us at (847) 382-5600. Count on a personalized, streamlined dealership experience from the first call through the point of sale and beyond — it’s a customer-first approach to car shopping we call The Wickstrom Way.
Quick Jump
Navigate to a specific research section to learn more:
2026 Lincoln Nautilus
2026 Lincoln Nautilus vs. Audi Q5 Specs & Performance
Turbocharged engines define performance in both the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus and 2026 Audi Q5. In the Nautilus, a 2.0L turbocharged inline four-cylinder (I4) engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission is standard with 250 horsepower. A 2.0L turbocharged hybrid engine is available on every trim with 285 horsepower and a combined city and highway fuel economy rating of 30 MPG. Each Audi Q5 trim is standard with a 2.0L turbocharged I4 engine paired with a seven-speed S tronic® dual-clutch transmission that makes 268 horsepower and achieves up to 24 combined MPG. Both models include a standard all-wheel drive (AWD) system.
What are the performance specs for the Lincoln Nautilus and Audi Q5?
| Model | 2026 Lincoln Nautilus | 2026 Lincoln Nautilus | 2026 Audi Q5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L turbocharged I4 | 2.0L turbocharged I4 hybrid | 2.0L turbocharged I4 |
| Horsepower | 250 HP | 285 HP | 268 HP |
| Torque | 280 lb.-ft. | 295 lb.-ft. | 295 lb.-ft. |
| MPG (City/Hwy) | 21 / 29 | 29 / 31 | 24 combined |
| Transmission | Eight-speed automatic | CVT | Seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | quattro® AWD |
2026 Lincoln Nautilus vs. Audi Q5 Interior Features
The premium two-row interiors of the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus and 2026 Audi Q5 are characterized by adaptable design and comfort-enhancing systems. Shared features in both models include a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel and available features like ventilated front seats and heated rear outboard seats. Unique interior features in the Nautilus include a standard heated steering wheel and available features like 24-way power Perfect Position front seats with massage capability and the Lincoln Rejuvenate orchestrated multi-sensory experience with digital scent capability. Unique interior features with the Audi Q5 include standard leather seat upholstery and heated front seats.
Overall, the Lincoln Nautilus offers more interior space than the Audi Q5, with over 43 inches of legroom in both rows and up to 71.3 cubic feet of cargo space versus 40.9 inches of front legroom, 38 inches of rear legroom, and 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space in the Q5.
What are the similar interior features?
Standard:
- Seating: five
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Power tilt and telescoping steering column
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror (frameless with Nautilus)
Available in higher trims:
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated rear outboard seats
What are the unique Lincoln Nautilus interior features and specs?
Standard (Premiere):
- Lincoln soft-touch seating materials
- Comfort front seats with power adjustability, power lumbar, and driver’s side memory
- 60/40-split folding rear bench seat with EasyFold® seatback release
- Interior ambient lighting
- Cargo management system
- Front and rear scuff plates
- Smoked woven aluminum trim
- Heated steering wheel
- Piano key shifter
Available with higher trims:
- Leather or premium leather seat upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Digital scent
- Auto air refresh
- Perfect Position front seats with 24-way power adjustability, including power thigh extenders and head restraints, and Active Motion® massage
- Unique carpet floor mats with velour accents
- Lincoln Rejuvenate orchestrated multi-sensory experience
Interior specs:
- Max. cargo volume: 71.3 cu.-ft.
- Cargo volume behind second row: 36.4 cu.-ft.
- Legroom (front/rear): 43.5 / 43.1 in.
- Headroom (front/rear): 39.6 / 39.8 in.
What are the unique Audi Q5 interior features?
Standard (Premium):
- Leather seat upholstery
- Eight-way power front seat with four-way power lumbar and driver memory
- Heated front seats
- Sliding, split-folding 40/20/40-split rear seat with recline
- Silver gray lime sediment natural wood inlays
- Aluminum interior elements
- Storage package
- Illuminated front door sill inlays
- Three-zone automatic climate control
- LED interior lighting plus package
Available in higher trims:
- Heated steering wheel with hands-on detection
- Dynamic interaction light
Interior specs:
- Max. cargo volume: 56.9 cu.-ft.
- Cargo volume behind second row: 27.6 cu.-ft.
- Legroom (front/rear): 40.9 / 38 in.
- Headroom (front/rear): 38.2 / 37.8 in.
2026 Lincoln Nautilus
2026 Lincoln Nautilus
2026 Lincoln Nautilus vs. Audi Q5 Exterior Design Features
Sophisticated exterior design and premium features help the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus and 2026 Audi Q5 stand out on the road or in your driveway. Standard features with the Nautilus include 19-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlamps, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. In higher trim levels, the Nautilus includes larger 21- or 22-inch wheels, a hands-free liftgate, and a panoramic Vista Roof®. Standard features with the Audi Q5 include 18-inch wheels, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, and a panoramic sunroof, while features you will find in advanced trim levels include 19- or 20-inch wheels and matrix-design LED headlights.
What are the similar exterior features?
Standard:
- LED taillamps
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors with memory
What are the unique Lincoln Nautilus exterior features?
Standard (Premiere):
- 19-in. bright machined aluminum wheels with Carbonized Gray pockets
- Adaptive LED headlamps with dynamic signature lighting
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Exterior mirrors with LED turn signal indicators
- Power liftgate
- Lincoln Embrace welcome lighting sequence
Available with higher trims:
- 21- or 22-in. wheels
- Illuminated Lincoln star
- Full LED multi-projector headlamps
- Aluminum roof rack side rails
- Black painted roof
- Panoramic Vista Roof
- Hands-free liftgate
What are the unique Audi Q5 exterior features?
Standard (Premium):
- 18-in. five-arm twist design wheels
- LED headlights
- Auto-dimming exterior mirrors
- Roof rails
- Panoramic sunroof
Available with higher trims:
- 19- or 20-in. wheels
- Matrix-design LED headlights with additional daytime running light signatures
- Taillight animations
- Digital organic LED (OLED) taillights
2026 Lincoln Nautilus vs. Audi Q5 Safety & Technology
The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus and 2026 Audi Q5 both come equipped with an advanced suite of driver assistance systems and responsive digital displays. Standard safety features in every Lincoln Nautilus include Lincoln BlueCruise hands-free driving capability and the Lincoln Co-Pilot360® Drive 2.0 suite, with a 360-degree camera, lane-keeping system, and Pre-Collision Assist® with automatic emergency braking. The Audi Q5 includes active front assist, lane departure warning, and emergency front brake assist as its standard safety features, with higher trims including a top-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, and digital park assist pro.
Each Lincoln Nautilus comes equipped with a 48-inch panoramic display with customizable themes, a lower 11-inch touchscreen, and wireless device charging. By comparison, the Audi Q5 features a standard 14.5-inch infotainment display and Audi virtual cockpit plus with an 11.9-inch display. Higher trim levels in the Nautilus provide access to premium sound systems, including the Revel® Ultima 3D audio system with 28 speakers. Likewise, the higher-end Audi Q5 trims include a Bang & Olufsen® 3D Sound system, as well as a 10.9-inch front passenger’s display and head-up display.
What are the shared safety features?
Standard:
- Rearview camera
What are the unique Lincoln Nautilus safety features?
Standard (Premiere):
- Lincoln BlueCruise capability
- Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0
- 360-degree camera
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centering assist, and predictive speed assist
- Auto high-beam headlamps
- Blind spot assist
- Blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert
- Exit warning
- Front parking sensors
- Lane-keeping system with lane keeping alert, lane keeping assist, driver alert, and road edge detection
- Intersection assist
- Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, dynamic brake support, and automatic emergency braking oncoming
- Post-collision braking
- Rear cross-traffic braking
- Rear parking sensors
- Reverse brake assist
- Perimeter anti-theft alarm
What are the unique Audi Q5 safety features?
Standard (Premium):
- Active front assist
- Lane departure warning
- Emergency front brake assist
Available with higher trims:
- Top view camera system
- Adaptive cruise control
- Dashcam
- Digital park assist pro with remote functionality
- Rear emergency brake assist
What are the similar technology features?
Standard:
- Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
- Premium ten-speaker audio system
- Remote engine start
What are the unique Lincoln Nautilus technology features?
Standard (Premiere):
- Lincoln Digital Experience
- 11-in. center touchscreen
- 48-in. panoramic display
- Google Maps™
- Google App Store
- Games/news/podcasts apps
- Over-the-air software updates
- Customizable themes (Constellation, Engage, Inspire, and Tranquil)
- SiriusXM® with 360L capability
- Wireless charging pad
- Phone as a key
Available with higher trims:
- Revel audio system with 14 speakers or Revel Ultima 3D audio system with 28 speakers
- HD Radio™
- 110V power converter
What are the unique Audi Q5 technology features?
Standard (Premium):
- MMI® navigation plus with 14.5-in. infotainment display
- Audi virtual cockpit plus with 11.9-in. display
- SiriusXM® Satellite Radio capability
Available with higher trims:
- Bang & Olufsen 3D Sound system with 19 speakers
- MMI passenger display with 10.9-in. screen
- Head-up display
2026 Lincoln Nautilus
2026 Lincoln Nautilus
FAQs for the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus
What infotainment system does the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus come with?
The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus is equipped with the Lincoln Digital Experience, which includes a 48-inch panoramic display that stretches across the dashboard, and an 11-inch touchscreen in the center column.
Does the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility is standard in the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus.
New Lincoln Nautilus for Sale in Barrington, IL
Wickstrom Lincoln is proud to be your local Lincoln Nautilus dealership in Barrington, IL. Browse our current inventory of Nautilus luxury SUVs and book a test drive appointment with the model that catches your eye. For additional information about your chosen model, contact your dedicated Wickstrom Lincoln representative online or by calling us at (847) 382-5600.
How Can We Help?
* Indicates a required field