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| 310 hp | Horsepower | 250 hp |
| Yes | FWD or AWD | AWD Only |
| Yes | Teen Driver Technology | No |
As you look for the perfect midsize SUV, you have a lot of options available to you, which can make it a bit tricky to narrow things down and choose the right one. Fortunately, things become much easier when you realize that Cadillac has an amazing SUV to meet just about any need, from small options like the XT4 to the full-size Escalade and its legendary performance. In the midst of these two is the gorgeous Cadillac XT5, a midsize SUV that is as powerful and luxurious as anything else out there. When you compare it to similar models—like looking at the 2024 Cadillac XT5 vs 2024 Lincoln Nautilus—it becomes clear that Cadillac knows what drivers want in a sophisticated and stylish SUV.
In terms of performance, both the XT5 and the Lincoln Nautilus have two engines available with different degrees of power between them. The Nautilus has a standard 2.0L I-4 engine along with a hybrid version of this engine; with the Cadillac XT5, on the other hand, you have a standard turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine and an available 3.6L V6 to enjoy. You can see that this is a greater amount of freedom to get the kind of driving experience you want since Lincoln essentially offers two versions of the same engine. With the XT5, you also get your choice of either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while Lincoln only offers the 2024 Nautilus with AWD, again providing fewer real options.
Inside, both of these vehicles have two rows of seating for up to five passengers, with gorgeous and rich interior features and options to ensure everyone enjoys the drive. You can find innovative tech features in both of these SUVs to provide you with impressive functionality while you are on the road. Perhaps best of all, we are happy to say that both Cadillac and Lincoln provide impressive suites of comprehensive safety features with more options available—we might prefer the XT5, but it is still good to see Lincoln focus on keeping their drivers safe. The major difference between these two models that we have not mentioned yet is the price: right now, a Cadillac XT5 starts at nearly $7,000 less than the Nautilus, letting you choose more options and features to enjoy.
It is easy to think of engines as only being important when you are looking at a flashy sports car or a powerful work truck. In reality, however, the engine in a vehicle is always vital since so much of your driving experience depends on it, even when running to the store or heading home from work. Fortunately, Cadillac understands that and puts impressive engines into their vehicles, taking full advantage of the automotive engineers and visionaries at GM who make the engines for vehicles like the Chevy Corvette and GMC Sierra trucks. While Lincoln has put a decent engine into the Nautilus, we still prefer the options that you get with the Cadillac XT5.
And options truly are the name of the game with this Cadillac compared to the Lincoln Nautilus because you get a lot more freedom in terms of powertrain with the XT5. At first glance, it can seem like you have the same kinds of options with both of these SUVs, but you actually have a lot more when you go with Cadillac. The Lincoln Nautilus has a standard 2.0L I-4 engine with 250 hp, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. There is a hybrid version of this engine available that improves performance with 300 hp, but it comes with a continuously variable transmission, which is not our favorite. Every Nautilus comes with AWD, which is fine and works well for some drivers, but there is no option for anything else.
With the 2024 Cadillac XT5, you have two completely different engines available, giving you more distinct options for power. The standard 2.0L turbocharged I-4 engine is a great place to start, but for boosted performance, you can choose an available 3.6L V6 engine that delivers 310 hp—more than the best engine for the Nautilus. Both of these engines on the Cadillac come with a nine-speed automatic for a smooth and incredibly responsive driving experience. You can also choose between FWD and AWD with both engines, giving you the freedom to get exactly what you want in your next SUV. We much prefer having all of these options available, which makes it easy to consider what you want from a vehicle and then get it.
Most of your time with your vehicle is spent with you inside of it while driving, which is why the interior of your car or SUV is so important. This is also why we suggest a test drive for our customers—there is no better way to appreciate what it feels like to drive a vehicle than to drive it. The importance of the interior is something Cadillac understands better than just about anyone else; for more than a century, Cadillac has been making some of the most stunning and sophisticated rides out there. A lot has changed over the years, but once you get inside an XT5, it becomes clear that its designers and artists are masters at creating comfortable interior spaces.
Looking at the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, we can see that a great deal of care and attention has gone into making an inviting interior, but we still feel it falls short of what Cadillac offers. The layout inside is well done and flows nicely from side to side and front to back, but it never feels quite right. This is a five-passenger midsize SUV with a decent amount of room up front, but we feel like the space within the Nautilus could have been utilized and arranged better. The seats are comfortable and there are plenty of good options offered across the various trim levels for the Nautilus, but it never quite reaches the luxury experience we look for.
Once you get inside the 2024 Cadillac XT5, however, you can immediately feel the sophisticated luxury surrounding you. You get a tremendous amount of room for the stuff you need to bring along with you thanks to 30 cu.ft. of rear cargo space and 63 cu.ft. of total cargo volume behind the front seats. The front dashboard is elegantly arranged and set up for ease of use, keeping things within reach and making it simple to utilize and check on everything without pulling your attention from the road. Available features like heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and Semi-Aniline leather seating with additional leather details inside and illuminated front door sill plates cap off a sophisticated space and elevate your drive each day.
One of our favorite things about the auto industry these days is the remarkable technology that car companies are able to pack into their vehicles. You can see this clearly with both the 2024 Cadillac XT5 and the Lincoln Nautilus, though they are not the same. Looking in the Nautilus, it features big displays for you and your front passenger, along with standard and available tech features like a wireless phone charger and an impressive sound system. Standard safety tech on the Nautilus is also quite good and it all comes together nicely, but considering the significantly higher starting cost for this Lincoln, we simply expect more from them.
When you check out the Cadillac XT5, however, you cannot help but be impressed by the innovative tech packed into it. The large infotainment display is easy to use and keep track of, with available navigation functionality to ensure you always get to where you are going. You can get a wireless phone charger and other tech upgrades to further enhance your drive. In terms of safety, every XT5 comes with a Cadillac Smart System that includes a Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking with Front Pedestrian Braking, and much more. You can also upgrade your safety with a Driver Assist Package that includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, and more technology to protect you on the road.
There is certainly nothing wrong with the Lincoln Nautilus, and it is a fine piece of machinery, but at the end of the day, we feel like the Cadillac XT5 gives you more. This is a midsize SUV for people who love to drive and want a vehicle that is reliable, responsive, and joyful on the road, ensuring you have a fantastic time whenever you get behind the wheel. Here at Jim Ellis Cadillac, the most important thing to us is providing all of our customers with great vehicles that offer unparalleled driving experiences. The Cadillac lineup makes that easy with incredible cars and SUVs designed to surround you with elegant sophistication while putting bold performance and exquisite handling under your control.
No matter what you are looking for in your next car or SUV, Cadillac is ready to deliver—we are also ready to deliver with unbeatable customer service that always focuses on your needs. Our amazing team of knowledgeable salespeople will listen to you, act quickly based on what you are looking for, and provide you with a car-buying experience beyond what you can find anywhere else. Plus, with our certified service center and Cadillac parts department, you can always count on us to provide you with routine maintenance or any other repairs you need in the years ahead. Call or come visit us at Jim Ellis Cadillac today to learn more, and let us show you how enjoyable and rewarding it can be to shop for your next SUV.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
