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2025 Lincoln Nautilus Priced Well Above Cadillac XT5

Pricing for the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus is out now, and simply put, buyers should be prepared for something of a sticker shock, especially if they opt for the mid-range Reserve variant. After applying a destination freight charge of $1,995, the 2025 Nautilus Reserve now starts at $62,605, more than $6,000 above the MSRP for the 2024 model year. Meanwhile, the entry-level Premiere starts at $53,385, well above the $45,290 starting price for the 2025 Cadillac XT5.

The front end of the Lincoln Nautilus.

Granted, the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus is arguably far more modern than the current U.S.-spec Cadillac XT5, the latter of which has been stuck in the same generation since the 2017 model year. Even so, the price difference is pretty massive for two models that are ostensibly direct rivals. This is particularly the case for the mid-range Nautilus Reserve, which, at $62,605, surpasses the MSRP for the range-topping 2025 XT5 Sport, which starts at $58,815. The range-topping 2025 Nautilus Black Label starts at $76,545, which is $600 more than the preceding 2024 model year. At $53,385, the entry-level Nautilus Premiere is $1,375 more expensive than the preceding 2024 model year.

A large part of the price hike for the 2025 Nautilus Reserve comes down to standard equipment, with the mid-range model now equipped with the Reserve II Package as standard, whereas previously the package was offered for an additional upgrade for $5,775 in conjunction with the 2024 model year. The package includes a wealth of high-end components, including leather upholstery, heated seats, adaptive suspension, a panoramic roof, 14-speaker audio system, and black trim, among other bits and pieces.

The all-new third-generation Lincoln Nautilus was unveiled for the 2024 model year and offers two powertrain options, including a turbocharged 2.0L I4 gasoline engine rated at 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, as well as a hybrid option pairing a turbocharged four-cylinder and electric motor delivering a combined 310 horsepower.

Meanwhile, the Cadillac XT5 soldiers on into the 2025 model year with only minor updates and changes. GM has developed an all-new second-generation XT5, but only offers it in the Chinese market.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. I am just absolutely astonished that GM is giving this category away to Lincoln. Lincoln finally has a nice Nauty and GM with thumb up their a** won’t sell the redesigned XT5 because “EVs MOAR EVS!”

    Reply
    1. Do not forget Cadillac has Lyriq in the same space

      Reply
  2. What makes you think Cadillac is “giving it away”? The ancient XT5 outsells the newer Nautilus.

    Reply
    1. YTD 2024 Sales for both.

      Nautilus 17,504 . . . XT5 12,165 . . . (-5339)

      So. . .

      Reply
  3. Chinese made crap.

    Reply
  4. Lincoln has been moving ahead of Cadillac for some time now. They have a design ethos and their “Quiet Luxury” persona that has given them a coherent product lineup that buyers understand. With a clear mission, their products keep getting better and better at meeting their Marketplace objective.

    By contrast nobody knows what a Cadillac is anymore. Is it big, smooth and silent as in the days of yore and typified by today’s Escalade. Is it still the wannabe BMW as exemplified by the V-Blackwings and CT4/5 or is it a Tesla-like EV identity with Lyriq? Maybe Cadillac as Rolls Royce is the new image for the brand as GM seems to honestly believe with the dreadful Celestiq. Honestly nothing about Cadillac is linear anymore. Instead it’s a jumbled mess so, yes, a Lincoln Nautilus is positioned far better and should command a higher price than an aged product from the very confused Cadillac brand.

    Reply
    1. Cadillac is definitely killing it with the Escalade, perhaps embracing what Escalade is as a vehicle and using that as a guiding light is the move. As far as the other CUV and SUV offerings…

      These are all 2024 YTD.
      In the markets that the two compete in directly, take from this what you will.

      Corsair 12,849 . . . XT4 10,033 . . . (-2816)
      Nautilus 17,504 . . . XT5 12,165 . . . (-5339)
      Aviator 11,914 . . . XT6 9,045 . . . (-2869)
      Navigator 6,550 . . . Escalade 19,204 . . . (+12,654)

      Reply
  5. What’s obvious is Lincoln is making their “mid-cycle refreshes” look more like Cadillacs…not the other way around.

    1961 Continental was Lincoln’s last exceptional vehicle design. It’s defined a generation…and remains a high-water mark in automotive styling.

    Everything they’ve offered since then doesn’t come close…IMHO.

    Reply
    1. How the hell do the new Lincoln’s look like Cadillac? Cadillacs implement vertical headlights while Lincoln’s are horizontal. They don’t even have the same grill design.

      Reply
  6. Cadillac needs to bring the next generation XT5 to the US as well as the next generation CT6. And while they’re at it they should update the XT6 for the US market. Cadillac’s China first strategy is forcing traditional Cadillac buyers to buy other brands, like Lincoln, Audi, BMW and Mercedes. I don’t want to, but if Cadillac continues down the China first path, I will be forced to switch brands after 44 years of loyalty and 20 new Cadillacs.

    Reply
    1. And Cadillac needs to offer a hybrid option soon! Not too crazy about the plug in version that is rumored to be forthcoming, but a non plug in hybrid version. Corvette can do it with the eRay, why not Cadillac?

      Reply
  7. Amazing what the market will bear when you have fresh, strikingly designed product!

    Reply
  8. Anyone that doesn’t know that Cadillac models not named Escalade or Blackwing are not worth buying really needs to shop around the market.

    Reply
  9. Is this the Made in China Lincoln?

    Reply
  10. Yeah but the Nautilus looks well above the XT5

    Reply
  11. $6000 more and made in China? I don’t think so!

    Reply
    1. New China Nautilus sales are rockin it lately. Why is that? Love my China made phone, microwave, lamps, furniture, carpets, tires, appliances, curtains and so much more!

      Reply
      1. Americans don’t give a sh**t until their boys come back in a body bag…

        Reply

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