2025 BMW X4 vs 2026 Lincoln Nautilus

$55,300 · Crossover

$53,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between aggressive style and spacious luxury often leaves crossover shoppers stuck. The 2025 BMW X4 brings German sportiness, boasting 248 hp and a compact 187.6-inch length, prioritizing a nimble feel while maintaining 24 MPG combined. Conversely, the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus leans into comfort and practicality. While starting at a slightly lower $53,995 MSRP compared to the X4's $55,300, the Nautilus dwarfs the X4 in utility, offering a massive 36.4 cu ft of cargo space—nearly double the X4's 18.5 cu ft. Furthermore, the Nautilus delivers marginally better highway efficiency (29 MPG vs. 27 MPG) and recommends premium fuel instead of requiring it. The key tradeoff is size: the Nautilus is almost 6 inches longer and 4.4 inches taller, reflecting its commitment to interior volume over the X4's coupe-like silhouette.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 BMW X4

The BMW X4's slightly smaller footprint makes navigating tight city streets and parking easier for daily commuting.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus offers significantly more utility with 36.4 cu ft of cargo space compared to the X4's 18.5 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 BMW X4

The X4 is generally tuned for a more engaging driving experience, despite the Nautilus having slightly more torque (280 lb-ft vs. 258 lb-ft).

💰 Best Value

2026 Lincoln Nautilus

The Nautilus offers a lower starting MSRP ($53,995) and greater cargo capacity, suggesting better overall utility per dollar.

Choose the BMW X4 if...

You prefer the aesthetic and tighter handling characteristics associated with a sportier coupe-like crossover design.
You don't want to be forced to use premium fuel, as the X4 requires it while the Nautilus only recommends it.
You value the standard All-Wheel Drive system combined with a lower overall height of 63.8 inches for easier garage fits.

Choose the Lincoln Nautilus if...

Maximum utility is paramount, as its 36.4 cu ft cargo capacity crushes the X4's 18.5 cu ft.
You prefer slightly more torque (280 lb-ft) for effortless merging, even if horsepower is nearly identical (250 hp vs. 248 hp).
You want an extra 2 MPG on the highway (29 MPG vs. 27 MPG) without sacrificing much in city driving.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	BMW X4	Lincoln Nautilus
Length	187.6"	193.2"
Width	75.5"	76.9"
Height	63.8"	68.2"
Wheelbase	112.8"	114.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Brake Drying	✓	—
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	248 hp @ 5200 rpm	250 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft @ 1450 rpm	280 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	21/27 MPG	21/29 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	361.2/464.4 mi.	420.0/580.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.2 gal.	20.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	—
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Cargo Floor Mats	✓	—
Front View Camera	—	✓
Side View Camera	—	✓
Driver Assisted Parking Assist	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	—
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	205W	—
Speaker System	12	10
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	12 months	3 months
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass Extended	—
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Front Head Room	39.5 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	40.7 in.	43.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	58.9 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Sport	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	10-way	8-way
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	2-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	✓	—
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	3
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	10-way	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	2-way	2-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	✓	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Hip Room	—	56.8 in.
Front Seat Type: Bucket	—	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power

Rearseats

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Rear Head Room	37.2 in.	39.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.5 in.	43.1 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.0 in.	58.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Rear Hip Room	—	56.3 in.

Tires and Wheels

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	19 x 7.5 in	—
Tire Size	✓	P255/60R19
Run Flat Tires	✓	—
Wheel Diameter	—	19 in
Tire Type	—	All Season

Suspension

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	6 yr./ 70000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	unlimited yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 BMW X4 and 2026 Lincoln Nautilus.

Does the difference in required vs. recommended fuel type impact ownership costs?

Yes, the 2025 BMW X4 requires premium unleaded fuel, adding to your regular running costs. The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus only recommends it, offering flexibility to potentially save money by using regular fuel if performance isn't being pushed to its limits.

How much larger is the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus really compared to the 2025 BMW X4?

The Nautilus is noticeably larger, measuring 193.2 inches long compared to the X4's 187.6 inches, and it is significantly taller at 68.2 inches versus the X4's 63.8 inches. This difference translates directly into the cargo discrepancy.

If I need to haul a lot of luggage, which crossover wins easily?

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus is the clear winner for cargo. It boasts 36.4 cubic feet, which is almost double the 18.5 cubic feet offered by the BMW X4.

Are the performance figures vastly different between these two AWD models?

Not significantly on paper; the Nautilus has a slight edge in torque with 280 lb-ft versus the X4’s 258 lb-ft, while horsepower is almost equal at 250 hp and 248 hp, respectively, with both using 8-speed automatic transmissions.

Which car is better for highway cruising based on these specs?

The Nautilus edges out the X4 in highway efficiency, achieving 29 MPG highway versus the X4's 27 MPG highway rating. Both share a combined 24 MPG rating.

Does the lower starting price of the Nautilus translate to better overall value?

At $53,995, the Nautilus undercuts the X4's $55,300 MSRP. When combined with its vastly superior cargo capacity, many buyers will find the Nautilus delivers better value for space and utility.