Compare the2025 Porsche MacanVS 2025 Lincoln Nautilus

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Macan’s standard Porsche Hill Control allows you to creep down safely. The Nautilus doesn’t offer Porsche Hill Control.

Both the Macan and the Nautilus have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The Macan’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Nautilus’ (12 vs. 5 years).

The battery on the Macan is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Macan’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Nautilus’ battery is in the hot engine compartment.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Macan’s reliability 36 points higher than the Nautilus.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Macan third among compact premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Nautilus isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 52 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lincoln is rated below average.

The Macan has more powerful engines than the Nautilus:

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche Macan turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Lincoln Nautilus:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the Macan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lincoln only offers a regenerative brake system on the Nautilus Hybrid.

The Macan offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Nautilus doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Macan’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Nautilus doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Macan GTS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Nautilus:

The Macan’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Nautilus are solid, not vented.

The Macan stops much shorter than the Nautilus:

For better traction, the Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Nautilus (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 255/60R19).

The Macan’s standard 235/55R19 front and 255/50R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series front and 50 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Nautilus’ standard 60 series tires. The Macan’s optional 265/40R21 front and 295/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Nautilus’ optional 45 series tires.

The Macan has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Macan’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Macan S handles at .93 G’s, while the Nautilus Black Label pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Macan has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Nautilus (8 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Macan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Macan’s minimum ground clearance is 1 inch higher than on the Nautilus (8.9 vs. 7.9 inches).

The Macan is 7.1 inches shorter than the Nautilus, making the Macan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Macan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Nautilus doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Macan. The Nautilus doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Macan’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Nautilus’ (4409 vs. 0 pounds).

The engine in the Macan is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Nautilus. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Lincoln. J.D. Power ranks Porsche first in service department satisfaction. With a 39% lower rating, Lincoln is ranked 15th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Nautilus, the Macan offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Macan’s standard Porsche Entry and Drive allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Access standard on the Nautilus doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Macan’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Nautilus has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Macan, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Nautilus isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Macan third among compact premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Nautilus isn’t in the top three.

The Macan was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 7 more times in the last 9 years. The Nautilus has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.