Lincoln Nautilus vs Mazda CX-5: Specs Compared
Also searched as Mazda CX-5 vs Lincoln Nautilus specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Lincoln Nautilus is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 30 mpg combined versus 29 mpg for the Mazda CX-5, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $50 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Lincoln Nautilus leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2019–2026
Lincoln Nautilus
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 28 configurations
2015–2026
Mazda CX-5
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 38 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Lincoln Nautilus | Mazda CX-5 |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 30 mpg ✓ | 29 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 30 mpg ✓ | 28 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 31 mpg | 34 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,050 ✓ | $2,100 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 290 g/mi ✓ | 306 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI | SIDI, SIDI; with cylinder deactivation, 2.2 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (variable gear ratios), Automatic 8-spd, Automatic (S8) | Automatic (S6), Manual 6-spd |
| Drivetrains | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | 4-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular | Regular, Diesel |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2019–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 28 | 38 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Lincoln Nautilus vs Mazda CX-5 dimensions and size
The Lincoln Nautilus is 8.7 inches longer than the Mazda CX-5 on a wheelbase 3.1 inches longer, and 498.3 lbs heavier. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Lincoln Nautilus (2026) | Mazda CX-5 (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 193.3 in | 184.6 in | 8.7 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 79.9 in | 74.4 in | 5.5 in |
| Height | 68.1 in | 66.5 in | 1.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 114.2 in | 111 in | 3.1 in |
| Curb weight | 4,350 lbs | 3,851 lbs | 498 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Lincoln Nautilus vs Mazda CX-5: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Lincoln Nautilus burns about $2,050 of fuel annually against $2,100 for the Mazda CX-5. That $50 yearly gap compounds to roughly $250 over five years and $400 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Lincoln Nautilus is the stronger commuter at 30 mpg city, while the Mazda CX-5 pulls ahead on the interstate at 34 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the Lincoln Nautilus is recorded with 3 distinct engine configurations (SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI), the Mazda CX-5 with 3 (SIDI, SIDI; with cylinder deactivation, 2.2). Across 28 recorded Lincoln Nautilus configurations and 38 for the Mazda CX-5, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Lincoln Nautilus is offered with Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, the Mazda CX-5 with 4-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Lincoln Nautilus emits 290 g/mile of CO2 versus 306 g/mile for the Mazda CX-5. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
Nautilus vs CX-5: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Lincoln Nautilus or the Mazda CX-5?
The Lincoln Nautilus is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 30 mpg combined versus 29 mpg for the Mazda CX-5, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $50 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Lincoln Nautilus runs about $2,050 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,100 for the Mazda CX-5 — a difference of roughly $50 per year.
What engines do the Nautilus and CX-5 offer?
Lincoln Nautilus: SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI. Mazda CX-5: SIDI, SIDI; with cylinder deactivation, 2.2.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Lincoln Nautilus and the Mazda CX-5 as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
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Comparison id: lincoln-nautilus-vs-mazda-cx-5