The Mazda CX-70 and the Lincoln Nautilus may not look like direct competitors but they have quite a bit in common. They’re both larger 2-row SUVs, they’re both available with hybrid powertrains, and they’re both available with a lot of the same features. Plus, as we know, Mazda is moving up the luxury ladder. So how high up can it go?
Performance
Engine – The Mazda CX-70 is equipped with a 3.3L turbocharged inline-6 engine. Depending on the trim level and what type of fuel you put in the tank, it has different power outputs. Admittedly, this demo vehicle is not the best comparison to the Nautilus because it has the higher output motor which produces 340 hp & 369 lb-ft of torque (254 kW & 500 Nm) with premium fuel. A better comparison would have been the standard output version which develops 280 hp & 332 lb-ft (209 kW & 450 Nm) with premium fuel. However, I have to make due with what’s available to me.
On the flip side, it is a good thing that this CX-70 has more power because it is heavier than the Nautilus. It’s over 200 kg heavier. But this engine gets a bit of help from a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The electric motor can provide 17 hp & 113 lb-ft (13 kW & 153 Nm) of torque for brief periods. Usually this is at low engine rpms, in between transmission shifts or when putting your foot to the floor just before the turbocharger spools up.
The Lincoln Nautilus is equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder which produces 250 hp & 280 lb-ft of torque (186 kW & 380 Nm). Not as much as even the standard output of the CX-70’s Inline-6 but this is a lighter SUV at 1,972 kg vs 2,205 kg (4,348 lbs vs 4,861 lbs) for the Mazda. As a result, the Nautilus doesn’t feel that much slower than even the higher output CX-70 when accelerating in a straight line.
Both SUVs are available with hybrid engines that produce around the same power. Mazda’s hybrid engine can produce up to 323 hp & 369 lb-ft of torque (241 kW & 500 Nm) while the Lincoln’s hybrid can produce 310 hp & 295 lb-ft (231 kW & 400 Nm). The difference is that the CX-70 is a plug-in hybrid whereas the Nautilus is a traditional self-charging hybrid.
Fuel Economy – Between the two, it’s actually the Mazda CX-70 that can achieve better fuel economy figures. It is rated for 10.3 L/100km (22.8 MPG) in a city and 8.5 L/100km (27.7 MPG) on a highway. The Lincoln Nautilus is rated for 11.2 L/100km (21 MPG) in a city and 8.1 L/100km (29 MPG) on a highway. During my week with both SUVs, I averaged 9.9 L/100km (23.7 MPG) in the Mazda and 11 L/100km (21.4 MPG) in the Lincoln. I think this difference was mainly down to the Mazda’s mild-hybrid system.
However, this system is not without faults. In other vehicles that have a system such as this, the engine turning off or on while cruising at a constant speed is seamless. In this Mazda, you can feel the car slowing down ever so slightly every time the engine turns on again when the driver presses the accelerator pedal. It’s not jerky by any means but it’s something that is noticeable whereas in other luxury brands, such as Mercedes-Benz, this function is seamless.
Transmission – Both SUVs are equipped with 8-speed automatic transmissions. That’s where the similarities end. In the Lincoln, the transmission (transaxle to be specific) provides seamless gear changes in everyday driving situations. It’s not particularly a quick reacting transmission but that’s not its purpose in an SUV such as this. Additionally, the driver has no control over it as there are no paddle shifters.
The transmission in the CX-70 is one that was developed for this car. Generally speaking, it provides smooth gear changes and although it is not quite as quick as the older generation 6-speed, it is more responsive than the one in the Lincoln. However, though this 8-speed provides smooth gear changes, they can still be felt by the occupants. That’s the difference between an established luxury brand such as Lincoln and a brand that is aiming to become a luxury brand.
Braking – This is where things start to turn in favor of the Mazda CX-70. The braking performance of both SUVs is good. Both can quickly stop in emergency situations. However, they feel very different. The brake pedal in the Mazda is firm but not so firm that it feels like a sports car. It’s still smooth to modulate. The brake pedal in Nautilus feels spongy and has a lot more travel. It doesn’t inspire as much confidence as the one in the CX-70.
Handling – These cars are further differentiated once you drive them through corners. The Mazda is planted through turns with minimal body roll and a steering wheel that feels connected to the front wheels. Additionally, it uses a rear biased all-wheel-drive system. So more of the engine’s power is sent to the back wheels, more of the time, than the front wheels. It doesn’t drive quite as spritely as the old CX-9 but it is much more enjoyable than the Nautilus.
Speaking of which, the Lincoln has more body roll through corners and the steering feels as though it’s from a video game. It’s very artificial feeling. Granted, a Lincoln such as this is not meant to be driven enthusiastically down a winding road.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – Things swing in the other direction as the Lincoln nautilus provides a smoother ride than the Mazda CX-70. Bumps are much better absorbed by the softer and standard adaptive suspension of the Lincoln. Though over certain road undulations, the ride can feel a tad floaty. In the Mazda, the ride is not overly rough but it is firmer than the Nautilus. Certain potholes and big road cracks can make the ride a bit jarry in the CX-70.
Interior Space – The 2025 Mazda CX-70 is essentially a CX-90 but without the 3rd row. As such, the cabin is spacious but Mazda did not change the mounting points of the 2nd row seats. They’re in the exact same position as those in the CX-90. So instead of providing more 2nd row legroom, the CX-70 has more cargo capacity than the Lincoln Nautilus. But at least those 2nd row seats can slide forwards & backwards as well as recline. In the front, there is plenty of space for adults with a fairly high driving position.
In the Lincoln Nautilus, It has about an inch or two more legroom in the 2nd row. However, the trade off is that it has less cargo capacity. Just like the Mazda, the rear seats can recline and slide for added comfort. Additionally, the rear doors in the Lincoln don’t open as much as the ones in the Mazda. In the front, it has a similar amount of legroom and headroom as the CX-70 but the seating position is a little bit higher even though I had adjusted both seats in each car to their lowest position.
Behind all rows of seats, the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus has 997 L (35.2 cu-ft) of space whereas the 2025 Mazda CX-70 has 1,122 L (39.6 cu-ft) of cargo space. With the 2nd row seats folded, both of which can be folded from the trunk, the Nautilus has 1,947 L (68.8 cu-ft) while the CX-70 has 2,132 L (75.3 cu-ft). Under the floor of the Lincoln, you’ll find a spare wheel along with a couple of small storage compartments to the side. In the Mazda, it too comes with a spare wheel and a small compartment for small items just above it.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – Between the two, it’s the Lincoln Nautilus that has a quieter cabin. There’s less intrusion from the engine, under normal driving conditions, and there’s less tire noise. In the Mazda CX-70, it’s not too loud but driving these SUVs back-to-back, it is noticeable that the cabin of the CX70 allows a bit more engine and tire noise.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – It’s the price of these SUVs that really differentiate these vehicles. The 2025 Mazda CX-70 ends in pricing where the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus starts in pricing. This top spec Signature trim of the 2025 CX70 costs $62,300 CAD ($55,950 USD) while the starting price of the 2024 Nautilus Reserve is $61,900 CAD ($54,850 USD). In the United States, the Nautilus is also available in the less expensive Premiere trim which starts at $50,415 USD. As equipped, this Nautilus costs $74,100 CAD ($64,375 USD).
Gadgets – Though these SUVs occupy different segments of the auto market, they are available with almost all of the same features. They both have leather upholstery but in the Lincoln, it’s regular leather whereas in the Mazda, it’s softer Nappa leather. Both have heated & ventilated front seats with heated rear seats and heated steering wheels. However, like all other Mazda’s, the steering wheel heating is only at the 9 and 3 position because for some reason Mazda thinks that everyone holds the steering wheel only at those positions while turning. Where the Lincoln has a leg up is the addition of massaging front seats which feels pretty good. It’s also available with the “perfect position” 24-way seats which I find to be too finicky. The regular seats are just fine. Both have 3-zone automatic climate controls, panoramic sunroof, power hands-free liftgates, surround view cameras, and wireless phone charging pads. Unique features between both include a head-up display in the Mazda while the Lincoln is available with Blue Cruise. This Lincoln’s hands-free semi-autonomous driving system that works on most highways across Canada and the United States.
Both SUVs allow the use of wireless Apple CarPlay & wireless Android Auto with their infotainment systems. In the Mazda, it’s primarily controlled with the rotary knob on the center console but when switching to CarPlay or Android Auto, the screen allows the use of touch for easier navigation. In the Lincoln, the centrally mounted touchscreen is within easy reach but the infotainment system can feel a bit convoluted. Some items control the touchscreen while others control the larger display on the dashboard. The infotainment system has some apps built in such as a fireplace, Amazon Alexa, Prime Video, and YouTube.
Interior Design – The interior designs of these SUVs couldn’t be any more different from each other. The Lincoln’s is much more eye-catching but the Mazda’s is much more user friendly. The Nautilus’ dashboard consists of two screens which are made to appear as one seamless screen spanning the width. On the driver’s side, it displays the vehicle’s speed, fuel gauge, driver assists and so on along with a navigation map. On the passenger side, it can be customized with a few different widgets such as the weather, a trip computer, a clock, the radio, and so on. Interestingly, when using a map app in CarPlay or Android Auto, it is displayed on the main touchscreen, not this larger full width screen.
The rest of the interior is minimalist, a bit too minimalist. There are a few physical controls on the center console for selecting a different drive mode or turning on or off the auto start/stop but the climate controls are integrated into the touchscreen along with the vent controls. Yes, if you want to change the direction of air flow from the vents, they are electronically controlled from the touchscreen. There are also no icons on the steering wheel. They appear on the screen in front of the driver as you hover your thumb over them.
In the Mazda CX-70, everything is much more straightforward. It has physical climate and heated/ventilated seat controls, physical air vent controls, and simple to understand steering wheel controls. In this Signature trim, it has a strip of suede across the dashboard and the Nappa leather on the seats is very soft to the touch.
Exterior Design – The stylish design of the Lincoln nautilus extends to the outside as it is more eye-catching than the Mazda CX-70, even with its bright Soul Red paint. But looks are subjective and there is no right answer. I particularly like some of the details on the Lincoln such as the solid door handles which have a button on the inside to open the door. Or the illuminated Lincoln badge on the front and the red light bar across the back. The Mazda CX-70 looks pretty good too but to me, it didn’t stand out in a crowded parking lot as much as the Lincoln did.
Safety – The standard CX-70 comes equipped with the majority of safety & driver aids that are offered by Mazda. Moving up to the Signature trim will add features such as safe exit warning, front cross traffic alert, smart brake support rear, front & rear parking sensors, and emergency lane keeping with road keep assist.
The Lincoln is equipped with a lot of the same features but unlike the Mazda, it does not require different trim levels or packages to be added on in order to have the safety & driver aids.
Warranty – Here in Canada, the 2025 Mazda CX-70 MHEV is covered by a 3 year / unlimited km basic warranty and a 5 year / unlimited powertrain warranty. In the United States, the warranty is 3 year / 36,000 mile basic & 5 year / 60,000 mile powertrain. For more info on Canadian warranty, click here. For more info on U.S.A. warranty, click here.
The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus is covered by a 4 year / 80,000 km new vehicle warranty as well as a 6 year / 110,000 km powertrain warranty. For more information on Canadian Lincoln warranty, click here. For USA Lincoln warranty, click here.
Conclusion – In the end, these two have a very different approach to luxury. The Mazda doesn’t provide the same level of refinement and supple ride as the Lincoln. But the Nautilus doesn’t have the thrilling driving experience and straightforward controls of the CX-70. However, by far the biggest difference between these two is the price. As mentioned, the Mazda CX-70 ends in pricing where the Lincoln Nautilus begins in pricing. So the Mazda is climbing up the luxury ladder but it’s not there yet. And the Lincoln feels like a proper luxury SUV but it’s getting overly complicated.
Thank you to Mazda Canada for providing the CX-70. www.Mazda.ca
Thank you to Lincoln Canada for providing the Nautilus. www.LincolnCanada.com
2025 Mazda CX-70 Gallery
2024 Lincoln Nautilus Gallery
