2026 head-to-head · Small SUV
2026 Audi Q3 vs Lincoln Nautilus
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
AWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 7-speed dual-clutch · 25 MPG
AWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 24 MPG
The 2026 Audi Q3 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,860 a year to fuel (25 MPG), versus $1,938 for the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus (24 MPG). That's roughly $78 a year, or about $388 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Audi Q3
- Lincoln Nautilus
Side by side
| Audi Q3 | Lincoln Nautilus | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,860 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,938 |
| 25 MPG | Combined efficiency | 24 MPG |
| 22 MPG | City | 21 MPG |
| 29 MPG | Highway | 29 MPG |
| 362 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 369 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 7-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| AWD | Drivetrain | AWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Audi Q3 vs Lincoln Nautilus across model years
- Audi Q3
- Lincoln Nautilus
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Among 114 2026 small SUVs, the Audi Q3 ranks 76th and the Lincoln Nautilus 82nd for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Audi Q3 or the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus?
Measured by cost to drive, the Audi Q3. The Audi Q3 is rated 25 MPG combined and the Lincoln Nautilus 24 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Audi Q3 vs. the Lincoln Nautilus per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,860 for the Audi Q3 and $1,938 for the Lincoln Nautilus.
Audi Q3 vs Lincoln Nautilus in other years
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