Compare the2026 Honda PassportVS 2025 Lincoln Nautilus

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Passport deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Passport’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Nautilus’ side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

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

Both the Passport 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, 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.

There are almost 2 times as many Honda dealers as there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Passport’s warranty.

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 Passport’s reliability 31 points higher than the Nautilus.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 43 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 Honda vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln With 45 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Honda higher than Lincoln.

The Passport’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 35 more horsepower (285 vs. 250) than the Nautilus’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Passport’s fuel efficiency. The Nautilus doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Passport uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Nautilus requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Honda Passport, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Nautilus.

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

For better traction, the Passport has larger standard tires than the Nautilus (265/60R18 vs. 255/60R19). The Passport TrailSport’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Nautilus (275/60R18 vs. 255/60R19).

The Passport has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Nautilus doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Passport offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Nautilus; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Passport is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Nautilus.

For greater off-road capability the Passport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Nautilus (8.3 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Passport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Passport 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.

The Passport has 5.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Nautilus (119.1 vs. 113.5).

The Passport has .9 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front hip room, 3 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 1.1 inches more rear hip room and 3.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Nautilus.

The Passport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Nautilus with its rear seat up (44 vs. 36.4 cubic feet). The Passport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Nautilus with its rear seat folded (83.8 vs. 71.3 cubic feet).

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

The Passport’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Nautilus’ (5000 vs. 0 pounds).

The Passport’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 Honda Passport, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Nautilus isn't recommended.