Compare the2026 Audi Q8VS 2026 Lincoln Nautilus

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The Q8’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Nautilus doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Audi Q8 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Lincoln Nautilus has not been tested.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Q8’s standard Hill Descent Assist allows you to creep down safely. The Nautilus doesn’t offer Hill Descent Assist.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The Q8 has Car-to-X Services, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Q8 Prestige helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The Audi Q8’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Lincoln Nautilus does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Q8 and the Nautilus have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi Q8 is safer than the Lincoln Nautilus:

	Q8	Nautilus
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	238	333
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	34%	35.1%
Neck Stress	120 lbs.	192 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	47/47 lbs.	434/440 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Audi Q8 is safer than the Lincoln Nautilus:

	Q8	Nautilus
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	141	169
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	59 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Q8’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Nautilus’ (12 vs. 5 years).

Audi pays for scheduled maintenance on the Q8 for 3 years and 30,000 miles. Audi will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Lincoln doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Nautilus. (Lincoln offers free mainteance on some Nautilus models.)

Reliability

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 Q8’s reliability 20 points higher than the Nautilus.

Engine

The Q8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 85 more horsepower (335 vs. 250) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 280) than the Nautilus’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Q8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 50 more horsepower (335 vs. 285) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 295) than the Nautilus’ optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi Q8 is faster than the Lincoln Nautilus 4 cyl. hybrid gas:

	Q8	Nautilus
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	6.9 sec
Quarter Mile	14.4 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97.6 MPH	96 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Q8 has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Nautilus (22.5 vs. 19.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Q8’s 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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q8’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Nautilus:

	Q8	Nautilus
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	12.6 inches

The Q8’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.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q8 has larger tires than the Nautilus (285/45R21 vs. 255/60R19).

The Q8’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Nautilus’ standard 60 series tires. The Q8’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Nautilus’ optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q8 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Nautilus. The Q8’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the Nautilus.

Suspension and Handling

The Q8 has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q8’s wheelbase is 3.7 inches longer than on the Nautilus (117.9 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Q8 is .9 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Nautilus.

The Q8 Prestige handles at .83 G’s, while the Nautilus Black Label pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Q8 Prestige executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the Nautilus Black Label (26.9 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 28.8 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The Q8 has .6 inches more front shoulder room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Nautilus.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Q8. The Nautilus doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Q8’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Nautilus’ (7700 vs. 0 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Q8 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.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Nautilus, the Q8 Prestige has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Q8 Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Q8’s standard Audi Advanced Key allows 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q8 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Nautilus doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Laser headlights, optional on the Q8 Prestige, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the Nautilus’ LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Q8 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Nautilus doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A manual rear sunshade is optional in the Q8 and power rear side window sunshades are standard in the Q8 Premium Plus/Prestige to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The Q8 Prestige’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist Plus will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Nautilus’ automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

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