2025 Lincoln Nautilus vs. 2025 Lexus RX 350: The Ultimate Review

Choosing the right luxury SUV becomes complex when your budget exceeds $50,000. Today, we compare two highly anticipated 2025 midsize luxury SUVs. We have the American luxury representative, the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus, and the master of Japanese craftsmanship, the 2025 Lexus RX 350.

This comparison will help you find your ideal choice, whether you prioritize powerful performance, refined interiors, or smart technology. It also serves as a valuable reference for consumers exploring the Chinese cars for sale market for a luxury SUV.

01 Exterior Design: American Boldness vs. Japanese Elegance

The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus embodies a classic American luxury style. Its overall profile is steady and imposing. An LED light bar spans the front grille, resembling an exquisite display. The body lines are fluid and harmonious. This understated luxury may not be radical, but it perfectly meets its target clientele’s expectations.

Clever use of black paint and silver accents on the body visually reduces the roof structure’s heaviness.

Meanwhile, the 2025 Lexus RX 350 continues the brand’s iconic design language. Its front fascia features a distinctive trapezoidal spindle grille with intricate diamond-shaped elements. Matrix-style adaptive full-LED headlights combine with a full-width rear light bar. This design preserves classic elements while adding modern flair.

The RX 350 measures 4890x1920x1695mm, with a 2850mm wheelbase. This places it in the midsize-large SUV category. Its overall shape is sporty yet elegant, striking a perfect balance between athleticism and luxury.

02 Interior & Comfort: Technological Opulence vs. Human-Centric Craftsmanship

Step inside the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus, and its immersive luxury atmosphere immediately captivates you. Redwood leather seats with suede inserts offer a delicate touch. Stainless steel speaker grilles and walnut wood accents on the dashboard complement them.

The materials offer exceptional quality from top to bottom. Its craftsmanship will satisfy even the most discerning consumers.

A standout feature is Lincoln’s 48-inch panoramic display. It stretches across the entire cockpit front, creating a strong tech sense. Higher trims also feature “Lincoln Rejuvenation” mode. This multi-sensory relaxation experience uses a digital fragrance diffuser, massage seats, and screen visuals to help passengers de-stress.

The 2025 Lexus RX 350 interior showcases Japanese meticulous craftsmanship. Its center console holds a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch floating central touchscreen. A 9.8-inch screen comes standard on the base version.

Lexus upgraded the cabin ambient lighting system for increased brightness. It now illuminates areas like the air vents. The RX 350 also adds rear-side laminated glass across all trims, which effectively enhances cabin quietness.

For seating, the RX 350 offers synthetic leather or genuine leather options. Most trims, except the base version, include heated and ventilated front seats. Notably, the fabric seat version offers better breathability than leather seats. This makes it particularly suitable for hotter climates.

03 Performance & Powertrain: Hybrid Efficiency vs. Smooth Mastery

The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus offers two powertrain choices. The base option is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It produces 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.

You can pay an additional $2,000 for a hybrid system. This increases combined output to 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid version replaces the standard eight-speed automatic transmission with an electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (e-CVT).

For fuel economy, the standard engine earns EPA ratings of 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. The hybrid option improves efficiency to 30 mpg city/31 mpg highway/30 mpg combined.

The 2025 Lexus RX 350 uses a 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain. Its combined system output is 184 kW (about 247 hp). The all-wheel-drive version accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. It has a top speed of 200 km/h.

Lexus upgraded the RX 350’s hybrid system cooling mechanism to a liquid-cooled system. This enhances power stability during high-speed driving or hill climbs. Its power delivery favors smoothness and linearity. It feels soft at low speeds and fully releases its power reserve after 50 km/h.

04 Technology & Safety Features

The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus excels in technological features. All versions now standardly include a four-year BlueCruise subscription. This hands-free highway driving assist system enables hands-free driving on certain approved highways.

The vehicle also includes a surround-view camera system. You get Lane-Keeping Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection.

The infotainment system features an 11.1-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a 10-speaker audio system. It also includes satellite radio, four USB ports, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2025 Lexus RX 350 carries the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0) driver-assistance system. All trims standardly include Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Road Sign Assist. You also get Lane Tracing Assist, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, and Automatic High Beams.

Higher-tier models add more features. These include Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Braking and Front Cross-Traffic Alert. You also find Lane Change Assist, Proactive Driving Assist, a Driver Monitor Camera, and a 360-degree monitor with a 180-degree transparent underside view.

05 Price & Value

The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus starts at $53,000, including the destination fee. The top-tier Black Label version reaches $76,160.

It offers three trim levels: Premiere, Reserve, and Black Label.

The 2025 Lexus RX 350 has a price range of approximately $40,500 to $61,900 in the Chinese cars for sale market. It offers a total of five configured models.

Notably, Lexus provides a six-year free maintenance policy. This gives it a significant advantage among luxury brands. The Lexus brand also consistently maintains high resale values. This is an important factor for consumers considering long-term ownership.

Conclusion: 2025 Lincoln Nautilus vs. Lexus RX 350 – Who Will Dominate the 2025 Market?

In summary, the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus holds an edge in technological features and luxurious ambiance. Its hybrid version’s comprehensive performance is also impressive. In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX 350 continues the brand’s tradition of reliability and refinement. It showcases masterful craftsmanship in the details. For buyers comparing the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus, the 2025 Lexus RX 350, and other premium Chinese cars for sale, this comparison highlights the distinct appeals of these two leading contenders.