I have a confession to make: I sometimes forget that Lincoln is still making vehicles. They only make SUVs now, so the days of the Continental and Town Car are long gone, but Lincoln is moving forward with the kind of vehicles that people want to buy right now. As a rule, that means compact and midsize crossover SUVs. You can also get a crossover full-size and a traditional body-on-frame full-size from Lincoln, but today we'll talk about the midsize Nautilus.
When the Nautilus showed up for testing, I had no preconceived ideas about it simply because it's been a long time since I drove any Lincoln product. The Nautilus is not exceptionally big for a midsize, but it's spacious and comfortable. It looks like a crossover SUV – not materially different from the same kind of vehicle made by any other automaker. It's not ugly, not beautiful, and it doesn't stand out in any way. That's the description of any midsize SUV, if we're being honest.
But when I got into the Nautilus and drove it, I was hooked. The Nautilus is super comfortable and well-made. Lincoln has adopted a fantastic futuristic dashboard layout where there's a screen that runs the entire width of the cabin for a personalized display for driver and passenger. Then there's a touchscreen for controls within easy reach for the driver. It's brilliant.
The Nautilus also drives very well. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine provides plenty of power and the 8-speed transmission is smooth and easy to live with. The Nautilus includes all-wheel drive for winter utility. It's still a largish SUV, but if you're shopping that category, the Nautilus is one of the better driving experiences you can buy.
In the mid-grade Reserve trim, the Nautilus includes a wide range of convenience and tech features, like a 360-degree camera system, adaptive suspension, blind spot monitoring, and Ford's new gimmick that uses your phone as a key to the vehicle. Of course the comfort features are also consistent with the Lincoln's luxury background - everything is trimmed in leather and the seats and steering wheel are all heated. The front seats also offer ventilation for summer months.
The Lincoln Nautilus isn't the cheapest SUV you can buy, but it's far from the most expensive. The bottom line is that Lincoln gives you a lot for your money, and the Nautilus is an SUV that you'll love to drive. It makes the monthly payments a lot easier to pay when you love the vehicle. I suggest you test-drive the Nautilus if you're shopping for a new SUV this year.
2024 Lincoln Nautilus AWD Reserve III
Base price: $54,850
Price as tested: $67,275
Type: Midsize crossover SUV
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (250 hp, 280 lbs-ft)
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
EPA estimated mileage: 21/29
Overall length: 193.2 inches
Curb weight: 4,517 pounds
Final assembly: Hangzhou, China
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