​If you're shopping for a luxury midsize SUV for driving in Bakersfield, California, two vehicles may stand out: the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus and 2026 Cadillac XT5. The Nautilus offers the spaciousness and technology you want for a comfortable family outing in California, while the sporty XT5 delivers the power you need to make commutes enjoyable. Read as we make a Lincoln Nautilus vs. XT5 comparison to help you decide which vehicle matches your lifestyle.
Pricing and Trims
The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus has a starting MSRP of $53,995 for the Premiere trim, jumps to $63,595 for the Reserve, and reaches $77,130 for the Black Label. Be sure to check out current specials for savings on new models, and get preapproved for financing so you don't miss out on driving this impressive vehicle.
The Cadillac XT5 is a more budget-friendly option. The Luxury trim starts at $44,300, the Premium Luxury is $52,900, and the Sport trim costs $62,100.
Performance and Efficiency
The Nautilus offers two engine options. It comes standard with a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder generating 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque and gets 21 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. The hybrid version produces 285 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque while getting 29 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined. The hybrid has approximately 619 miles of driving range, which is perfect for heading to the Central Valley without constantly searching for gas stations.
The XT5's base 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine makes 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This model gets 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. The available 3.6-liter V-6 engine produces 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy drops to 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined.
Interior Comfort and Space
The Nautilus stands out for its interior roominess, offering 43.5 inches of front legroom vs. the XT5's 41.2 inches. The most significant difference is in the back seat, with the Nautilus providing 43.1 inches of rear legroom compared to the XT5's 39 inches.
Cargo space tells the same story. The Nautilus gives you 36.4 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats (35.2 in the upper trims), while the XT5 only manages 30 cubic feet. Fold the seats, and you get 71.3 cubic feet in the Nautilus vs. 63 cubic feet in the XT5. The Nautilus also offers 24-way Perfect Position massaging seats that'll work out the kinks from a long day. After driving from Bakersfield to San Francisco, you'll appreciate this feature.
Technology and Infotainment
A 48-inch panoramic display and an 11.1-inch center infotainment screen give the Nautilus an edge in the Nautilus vs. XT5 comparison. The available 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System makes you feel like you're sitting in the front row at a concert.
The XT5 keeps things simpler with an 8-inch touch screen. It has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an optional 14-speaker Bose system. If you spend a lot of time on the road, the Nautilus comes standard with Lincoln BlueCruise for hands-free highway driving. The XT5 doesn't offer a hands-free driving option.
Safety and Driver Assistance
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2026 Nautilus a five-star overall safety rating. The Lincoln Nautilus features Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 as standard equipment, including adaptive cruise control, a lane-keeping system, and precollision assistance.
The XT5 features standard automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and parking sensors. You can add adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system.
Ownership Experience and Warranty
Both brands come with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. But Lincoln offers complimentary scheduled maintenance for four years or 50,000 miles. In contrast, Cadillac covers the cost of one service visit.
Choose the Lincoln Black Label to benefit from annual detailing for the first four years, culinary concierge service for restaurant reservations, and pick-up and delivery for servicing your vehicle.
Which SUV Best Suits Your Needs?
The Lincoln Nautilus offers the comfort and spaciousness you want when transporting passengers, providing more second-row legroom than the XT5. That's an important difference to consider when you're taking the family on a weekend getaway to Pismo Beach.
The XT5 may suit you if you want your luxury SUV to feel more like a sport sedan for daily driving around Bakersfield. It provides impressive cornering and has a V-6 engine option for a more powerful driving experience.
Experience the Nautilus Difference at Jim Burke Lincoln
If you want the ideal vehicle for driving around Bakersfield or heading to the coast and mountains, the Nautilus makes sense. Its impressive features ensure a comfortable and luxurious driving experience. Are you ready to trade in your current vehicle and explore our inventory for yourself? Schedule a test-drive of the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus at Jim Burke Lincoln, and let our team show you why this luxury SUV is perfect for your lifestyle.