Against 381 other 4-cyl cars rated 2024–2026, the Nautilus sits right on their 26.3 mpg average. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 2019, the 2L 4-cyl Hybrid (2024–2026), does 30 mpg and the thirstiest, the 2.7L 6-cyl (2019–2023), 21.2: $531 a year apart.
Every Lincoln Nautilus engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 29.7 / 31 | 2024–2026 | $1,280 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 21 / 27.1 | 2019–2026 | $1,641 | |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 19.2 / 25.6 | 2019–2023 | $1,811 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Toyota RAV4 gets 37.5 mpg, the Jeep Wrangler 18.8 mpg and the Mazda CX-5 27 mpg, next to 27 mpg for the 2026 Nautilus.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2026) | $0.119 |
| Fuel per year | $1,422 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,110 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars, 2024–2026 | −$38 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,641 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus gives up 5 mpg in town: 30 on the highway against 25 in the city, $256 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 25 mpg | $1,536 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 30 mpg | $1,280 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5 mpg (20%) | Typical for its type |
How the Nautilus changed over the years
The Nautilus peaked in 2026 at 27 mpg (25 city, 30 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2023 at 22 — 5 mpg apart, or $323 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The biggest single-year change came in 2024: 22 to 27 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 / 30 | 2 | $1,422 | |
| 2025 | 25.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,422 | |
| 2024 | 25.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,422 | |
| 2023 | 20 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2022 | 20 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2021 | 20 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2020 | 20 / 26 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2019 | 20.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,707 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
This page rests on 16 EPA ratings of the Lincoln Nautilus — 3 engines across 2019–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,641. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus get?
27 mpg combined, 25 city and 30 highway, per EPA; its 2 versions that year range from 24 to 30. Across every year since 2019 the Nautilus has averaged 23.9 mpg.
Is the 2026 Nautilus more efficient than the 2025?
About the same: 27 against 27 mpg combined.
Which Nautilus year has the best gas mileage?
The 2026, at 27 mpg combined (25 city, 30 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the Nautilus get better gas mileage than the Toyota RAV4?
No: 27 mpg for the 2026 Nautilus against 37.5 for the 2026 Toyota RAV4, about $398 a year more to run.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.