If you're on the hunt for a luxury SUV that's safe and has plenty of room for the whole family, you've likely come across the Lincoln Nautilus and the BMW X3 in your research. Both SUVs offer impressive options in terms of tech, performance, and safety, so how do you know which one to choose?
The team at LaFontaine Lincoln of Grand Rapids is here to help our friends from Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, and Rockford, Michigan figure that out. We've put together this comparison of the Lincoln Nautilus and the BMW X3—read on to see which SUV is a better fit for you.
STANDARD HORSEPOWER
MAX CARGO SPACE
ENHANCED ACTIVE PARK ASSIST
To be sure, luxury SUVs like the Lincoln Nautilus and the BMW X3 are head-turners, with their striking good looks. Under their respective hoods, however, they each bring the power, proving they have far more to offer than merely an attractive design.
The Lincoln Nautilus and the BMW X3 each provide more than one engine option, depending on which trim level you choose.
The standard engine in the BMW X3 is a 2.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine that puts out 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It works in tandem with a standard 8-speed automatic transmission and has standard rear-wheel drive, although it makes all-wheel drive available.
The Lincoln Nautilus has a more powerful standard engine to excite you right out of the gate. The turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine works with an 8-speed automatic transmission to provide an impressive:
- 250 horsepower
- 280 lb-ft of torque
The Lincoln Nautilus also offers standard front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. If you're looking for a more powerful standard engine, the Lincoln Nautilus is the better choice.
When deciding on your next SUV, space matters. You’ll want to know that everyone on board will be comfortable on both long and short trips. And since with people come belongings, you’ll want to ensure there’s adequate space for everyone’s gear as well.
Both luxury SUVs provide seating for up to five passengers, and even supply adequate wiggle room for back-row passengers. When you’re looking to stretch out, however, you’ll be glad to you’re in the Lincoln Nautilus. Let’s see how their cabin measurements break down:
Lincoln Nautilus
|
Model |
BMW X3
|
|---|---|---|
| 42.8 inches/39.6 inches | Legroom (front/rear) | 40.3 inches/36.4 inches |
| 58.9 inches/59 inches | Shoulder Room (front/rear) | 57.6 inches/56 inches |
As you can see, there’s substantially more legroom and shoulder room for all riders in the Lincoln Nautilus.
In terms of cargo capacity, the Lincoln Nautilus once again beats out the BMW X3. Trunk space behind the rear row in the Lincoln Nautilus is 37.2 cubic feet, which greatly overshadows the 28.7 cubic feet in the X3.
When the back row is folded flat, the Lincoln Nautilus provides a maximum of 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space. With just 62.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo room in the BMW X3, it’s going to be a tighter fit—or you may have to leave some items behind.
It goes without saying that your highest priority when you get behind the wheel of any vehicle is the safety of you and your passengers. Lincoln and BMW take your safety seriously, too, which is why each of these SUVs come with systems designed to help protect everyone on board.
Each SUV has its own set of driver-assistive and safety features. The Lincoln Nautilus has a suite of them called Lincoln Co-Pilot360™ 1.0, while the BMW X3 has its Active Driving Assistant. Both luxury SUVs have similar features such as brand-specific versions of:
- Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert
- Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
- Lane-Keeping System
Both models also offer an Adaptive Cruise Control system. It will help keep you at ease during the daily commute by maintaining a variable speed and keeping a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead.
The Lincoln Nautilus also has plenty of know-how in the parking lot. The available driver-assistive feature called Enhanced Active Park Assist, which is part of Lincoln Co-Pilot360™ 1.0 uses ultrasonic sensors to locate available spots and helps you easily get in or out of perpendicular and parallel parking spaces. There’s even Park Out Assist which aids you in steering out of tight parking spots while you control the shifter, brake, and accelerator.
The BMW X3 has a similar system known as Parking Assistant Plus.
While both the Lincoln Nautilus and the BMW X3 are impressive SUVs, one is a cut above the other. When comparing the performance, dimensions, and safety features of the Lincoln Nautilus and the BMW X3, the Lincoln Nautilus comes out on top.
If our neighbors in Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, and Rockford, MI want to experience the Lincoln Nautilus for themselves, they can visit LaFontaine Lincoln of Grand Rapids for a test drive. Schedule yours today!
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