If you’re dead-set on a luxury vehicle, you’d better be prepared to pony up. Many of us have fallen victim to the casual look-around on the internet, scouring for deals on new luxury models and hoping there’s something out there that’s actually affordable. Of course, everyone’s financial situation is different, but most folks can’t afford to drop $50k or so on some sort of mid-size luxury sedan, especially not in this economy.
However, if you’re open to buying used, your list of luxury model choices begins to open up substantially. Take the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, for instance. It’s a mid-size luxury crossover SUV whose value has decreased significantly over the last four years or so. This means its current average price is much more attainable, putting it squarely in the wheelhouse of most average Joes out there. The best part? It offers the same level of luxury — if not more — than a brand-new BMW 3 Series for a fraction of the price.
The Brand-New BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3-Series was the brand’s best-selling sedan in 2025, but it lagged way behind the X3 and X5, BMW’s top-selling models.BMW
Base MSRP
$47,500
Engine Details
2.0L turbocharged inline-four mild hybrid
Horsepower
255 hp
Torque
295 lb-ft
0-60 MPH Time
5.6 seconds
Drivetrain
RWD
The 3 Series has always been one of BMW’s bread-and-butter models. It’s been on sale in the US since 1977, and has since cemented itself as one of, if not the quintessential compact executive sedans in the US market. It’s aligned with other competing models, such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Lexus IS, and has stood as the best-selling of the bunch for a vast majority of its existence, both within the US and throughout the world.
The BMW 3-Series was the brand’s best-selling sedan in 2025, but it lagged way behind the X3 and X5, BMW’s top-selling models.BMW
The newest, 2026 BMW 3 Series is nestled within its seventh generation, also known as the G20. It debuted in 2018 and, as of this year, is slated for replacement by an eight-gen iteration beginning with the 2027 model year. The final model-year G20 3 Series is offered as the base 330i and 330i xDrive, along with the slightly more-athletic M340i and M340i xDrive. As always, the top-spec 3 Series enters the fold as the M3, along with the M3 Competition and the M3 Competition xDrive.
The BMW 3-Series was the brand’s best-selling sedan in 2025, but it lagged way behind the X3 and X5, BMW’s top-selling models.BMW
As for our Bimmer of interest, the 330i, it offers a decent amount of kit for an entry-level model. For starters, it’s got synthetic (SensaTec) leather seats, a power-sliding moonroof, and dual-zone climate control. The front seats are also heated, and sport eight-way power adjustment. A 14.9-inch curved infotainment display sits center stage, and a 12.3-inch screen constitutes the ’26 330i’s digital instrument cluster. Real wood trim is used throughout the cabin. As for safety, it boasts features like collision mitigation, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. A cloud-based navigation system is baked in, too.
The BMW 3-Series was the brand’s best-selling sedan in 2025, but it lagged way behind the X3 and X5, BMW’s top-selling models.BMW
While there are a few different BMW 3 Series models on sale currently, the base-spec iteration is the 330i. Older BMW enthusiasts will remember when the final two digits of the model name typically denoted engine size, but not with the ’26 330i. Instead, a 2.0-liter engine lives under the hood, sporting a small turbocharger and a 48-volt mild hybrid system. With it, the Bimmer manages to achieve roughly 31 mpg. Rear-wheel drive is the standard drivetrain layout, with the 330i xDrive model adding all-wheel drive to the mix.
As far as a $47k compact executive model goes, the 2026 BMW 3 Series offers an adequate amount of kit in a small, four-door package. But you can have a lot more for the same money.
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The Used Lincoln’s Got A Lot To Offer, Too
2021 Lincoln Nautilus finished in dark blue with tan interiorLincoln
So long as you’re not hell-bent on buying a compact executive sedan, it’s worth taking a look at the ’22 Lincoln Nautilus, simply because you get way more bang-for-your-buck than you do with the new BMW 3 Series.
2021 Lincoln Nautilus finished in dark blue with tan interiorLincoln
The mid-size Lincoln packs the most of its luxuries inside its well-appointed cabin. As for standard interior features, it boasts a set of synthetic leather seats, like the BMW, carrying the brand name “Lincoln Soft-Touch.” However, front seat passengers are treated to 10-way power adjustment, along with standard heating. Its steering wheel is also heated, and wrapped in leather. At base level, the Nautilus does not come with real wood trim, using simulated accents instead. However, the higher-spec grades, those being the Reserve and Black Label, do sport real wood trim.
Speaking of the higher-spec models, both the Reserve and Black Label models come with genuine leather seating. They also sport ventilated front seats, along with optional 22-way power front seats in the Reserve’s case, and a pair of 24-way “Perfect Position” seats are offered as an option in the Black Label model. Reserve models offer a 19-speaker Revel Ultima sound system as an option, and Black Labels come standard with the stereo. Both come equipped with panoramic vista moon roofs, along with beefed-up powerplants.
2021 Lincoln Nautilus finished in dark blue with tan interiorLincoln
Standard tech is comparable to the Bimmer, too. Handing all the infotainment in the base ’22 Nautilus has a 13.2-inch touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch display is used as its digital gauge cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also come standard, like the BMW. However, the base-spec Nautilus does not offer navigation as a standard feature, whereas the BMW does. However, you could add it as an option.
Under the Lincoln’s hood lies a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, belonging to Ford’s EcoBoost engine family. Backing up the mill is an eight-speed automatic transmission, which is then hooked into a front-wheel drive layout. All-wheel drive is offered as an option. With the base-spec mill, the Nautilus achieves an average combined fuel economy of about 23 mpg combined. Higher-spec’d Nautilus trims employ the use of a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, capable of producing 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque.
Let’s compare some of the base-spec 2022 Lincoln Nautilus’ features with the 2026 BMW 330i’s:
2022 Lincoln Nautilus Standard
2026 BMW 330i
Audio System
10-speaker, 220-watt
10-speaker, 205-watt
Lighting
Adaptive LED headlights
LED headlights
Infotainment System
13.2-inch touchscreen
14.9-inch touchscreen
Engine
2.0L turbocharged inline-four
2.0L turbocharged inline-four mild hybrid
Horsepower
250 hp
255 hp
Torque
255 lb-ft
295 lb-ft
Wireless Charging
No
Yes
Heated Steering Wheel
Yes
No
Ambient Interior Lighting
No
Yes
Remote Engine Start
Yes
Yes
Driver’s Seat Memory
Yes
Yes
Warranty
N/A (CPO possible)
4 yrs / 50,000 mi (New Vehicle Limited Warranty)
Current Pricing
$25,971
$47,500
*Specs courtesy of Lincoln & BMW
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Here’s How You Can Get A Nautilus
2021 Lincoln Nautilus finished in dark blue with tan interiorLincoln
While it’s obvious that both the 2026 BMW 330i and the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offer comparable features, the big difference lies in price. As we’ve already been over, the 330i carries a base price of $47,500, and that’s before any destination fees, taxes, or registration dues are factored in. If you’ve got a couple of options added to your new 330i, you’ll be paying well over $50k. With a 10 percent down payment and an average interest rate of roughly five percent, your monthly note could very well exceed $850 for 72 months.
2021 Lincoln Nautilus finished in dark blue with tan interiorLincoln
However, as of this writing, the ’22 Nautilus carries a substantially lower price on the used market. Instead of that $47,500 price tag, the Nautilus fetches just $25,971, and since it’s a used car, there’s no destination charge that you need to worry about. Used cars typically demand slightly higher interest rates, as banks see them as more of a risk than new cars, your monthly payment will still be much lower. Let’s say you put $5k down with a seven percent interest rate on an average-priced ’22 Nautilus, your payment will be roughly around $430 per month, a substantial savings compared to the Bimmer.
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Verdict
Of course, it would be silly to compare a compact executive sedan to a luxury mid-size crossover SUV. One is best-suited for commuting to and from the corporate office and ferrying one or two sets of golf clubs to the links. The crossover, on the other hand, is meant for families, hauling large amounts of stuff, and handling occasionally inclement road conditions. In short, they’re not in the same world in a practical sense.
However, we’re strictly speaking from a value-for-money standpoint. From that angle, the Lincoln takes the cake no doubt, as you get virtually the same amount of luxury as the brand-new BMW for nearly half the price. Not to mention, you get more room for activities in the Lincoln.
Sources: Lincoln, BMW, FuelEconomy.gov.
