Item: 2021 Lincoln Nautilus
Rating: 3.6
Author: Willis Kuelthau

Overview

What's New

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus receives a subtle but thorough refresh for its third year on the market. The body wears a revised grille and thicker chrome accents up front and full-width lighting in back.

Inside are upgraded trim materials and a horizontally oriented dashboard with a 13.2-inch touchscreen and piano-style shift keys. All models adopt the latest version of Lincoln's voice command system, SYNC 4. With newly available Phone As A Key technology, the driver's smartphone can function as a key fob.

Choosing Your Lincoln Nautilus

The 2021 Nautilus comes with three trim levels: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label. Pricing starts at $42,035 and tops out at $66,085 for the Black Label.

Engine Choices

The Standard and Reserve carry a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Black Label gets a twin-turbo V6, which is optional on the Reserve.

Engine Type	Horsepower	Torque	Fuel Economy (Combined)
2.0L Turbo 4-Cylinder	250 hp	280 lb-ft	23 mpg
2.7L Twin-Turbo V6	335 hp	380 lb-ft	21 mpg

Both engines use an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive costs $2,500 on four-cylinder models and comes standard with the V6. Adding the V6 AWD combo to the Reserve costs $5,195.

The AWD Nautilus can tow up to 3,500 pounds with either engine, versus just 1,500 with the standard front-drive setup.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

The Nautilus is a midsize, two-row crossover with room for five to get comfortable. There are 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, and 68.8 cubic feet with it folded.

Safety Features

Every Nautilus comes with Lincoln Co-Pilot360, which furnishes lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and rear parking sensors.

Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Plus adds adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera, and an automated parking system with front sensors. This upgrade is standard on the Black Label and included in the Reserve's $3,420 Reserve I Package.

Connectivity

The Standard model offers a 13.2-touchscreen, 10 speakers, four USB ports, satellite radio, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Select I Package ($1,815) includes navigation and other features.

Navigation is standard on the Reserve, along with wireless charging and a 13-speaker Revel sound system. The Black Label gets a 19-speaker Revel system with HD radio.

Standard — From $42,035

The Standard trim includes power 10-way front seats, remote start, full LED lighting, a power liftgate, faux leather upholstery, and 18-inch painted aluminum wheels.

The Standard I Package ($1,815) adds genuine leather seats, navigation, a universal home remote, and bright-finish wheels.

Reserve — From $50,405

The Reserve comes standard with the Standard I equipment, plus a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic wipers, and a hands-free liftgate.

In addition to Co-Pilot360 Plus, the Reserve I Package adds Phone As a Key and 20-inch wheels. The other package choice, Select II ($8,445), also contains Class II trailering equipment, a cargo management system, and 21-inch high-polish wheels.

Buyer can upgrade to 22-way massaging front seats for $1,500. A rear video entertainment system is available for $1,995, but not in conjunction with the fancy seats.

Black Label — From $66,085

The Black Label features an extended Venetian leather and wood interior in the buyer's choice of design themes, Chalet or Flight.

Ownership includes a host of exclusive services and a designated concierge. The 22-way seats and rear entertainment system remain optional, but nearly everything else is standard.

Compare Nautilus Trims Side-By-Side

CarsDirect Tip

The 2021 Nautilus trims are reasonably priced for what you get. If the Standard model feels a bit austere, that can be easily solved by advancing to the Reserve at a commensurate increase in price. Keep in mind the Black Label's heftier tag isn't just for the car, but also the royal treatment that comes with it.

John Diether

Automotive Editor - March 31, 2021

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Expert Review

Pros

Classy styling
Feels premium inside
Latest tech features
Comfortable ride

Cons

Numb handling
Mediocre fuel economy
Not cheap

Expert Rating

3.6

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Willis Kuelthau

Automotive Editor - April 13, 2021

The Edge, elevated. The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus comes from humble roots. As the luxury arm of Ford, Lincoln builds the Nautilus on the same platform as the Ford Edge.

You wouldn’t necessarily know from the outside — the Nautilus cuts a dashing profile, with an athletic stance that’s underscored by sharp air intakes and just enough chrome. Lincoln’s grille fits in well here, and the design feels cohesive and polished.

The inside is even better. Lincoln eschews a conventional gear shifter in favor of piano-style button selectors, which underscore a sweeping horizontal dash. A generous 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen caps it off, and it all works surprisingly well.

Comfort over cornering. The 2021 Nautilus makes no claim to sportiness. The suspension is geared for a plush ride, and it swallows up road imperfections with the best of them. Adaptive dampers are available, but either setup is comfortable. Steering is heavy but slow, which makes the Nautilus feel ponderous in the corners.

The Nautilus also shares its engine lineup with the Edge, offering a basic turbocharged four-cylinder unit or a more powerful V-6. Both do an admirable job motivating the SUV’s bulk, though neither is likely to win many drag races.

Sound deadening is a highlight — hardly any engine noise filters through to the serene cabin. For all these reasons, the Nautilus is an excellent choice for family road trips. The lone exception is fuel economy, which maxes out at a mediocre 23 mpg combined.

Lincoln Nautilus

Room (for five) to stretch. The Nautilus is portly for a midsize SUV, but unlike some competitors, it offers no third row.

We prefer it that way. Third rows tend to be cramped in SUVs this size, and the Nautilus trades seating capacity for excellent cabin space in both rows. Rear passengers have plenty of legroom and headroom, and the front seats are supportive and nicely padded.

Cargo space starts at 37.2 cubic feet, but that number expands to 68.8 with the second row folded. That’s fairly good for the class, although it falls short of the rival Honda Passport. Lincoln fills the cabin with useful storage nooks, including a thoughtful niche underneath the center console.

Luxury perks. Even in base form, the Nautilus feels worthy of its premium price tag. The front row is heated and power-adjustable, and the exterior gets luxury touches like adaptive headlights and a power liftgate. Interior material quality is excellent.

The opulence increases as you climb the trim ladder and the wood and metal trim of the Black Label feels suitably palatial. Our favorite trim is in between: the midrange Reserve trim adds leather upholstery and useful tech perks for around $50,000.

Tech in general is another highlight of the Nautilus. The standard infotainment system is wide and responsive, and the included active safety features are comprehensive. Lincoln's warranty program includes pickup and delivery on service calls, which is another welcome bonus.

Final thoughts. The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus lacks the dynamism of the German competition, and it isn’t quite as practical as some mainstream models. Still, there's plenty to like. The exterior is handsome, the interior is sumptuous, and the ride is as comfortable as it gets. If American luxury suits your taste, the Nautilus will deliver.

Check prices for the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus »

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Specs & Features

Highlights

Overall Crash Safety Rating

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque

2.0L I-4 / 250 HP / 280 ft.lbs.

Transmission

8-spd auto w/OD

Drive Type

Front-wheel

Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined

21 / 26 / 23 Mpg

Passenger Capacity

Bumper to Bumper Warranty

48 Months / 50,000 Miles

Mechanical Specs

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque	2.0L I-4 / 250 HP / 280 ft.lbs.
Drive Type	Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined	21 / 26 / 23 Mpg
Brakes	4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension	Strut
Rear Suspension	Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel	Compact Steel
Fuel Tank	18.4 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type	Premium Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank	$70

Dimensions & Capabilities

Maximum Cargo Volume	68.8 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume	108 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length	190.0 "
Exterior Width	86.1 "
Exterior Height	66.2 "
Front Headroom	39.9 "
Rear Headroom	39.2 "
Front Legroom	42.8 "
Rear Legroom	39.6 "
Front Shoulder Room	58.9 "
Rear Shoulder Room	59.0 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight	4,165 Lbs.
Wheel Base	112 "
Turning Radius	19.3 '

Exterior Features

Door Count	4 Doors
Wheels	18.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint	Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors	Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers	Front Body-colored With Chrome Insert
Grille Moldings	Metal-look W/chrome Surround
Rear Spoiler	Lip
Exhaust	Dual Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish

Interior Features

Seating

Passenger Capacity	5
Seat Trim	Leatherette / Leather
Front Seat Type	Bucket
Heated Front Seats	Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls	(10-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls	(8-way Power)
Front Armrests	(10-way Power)
Rear Armrests	Center
Rear Seats	60-40 Bench

Radio & Infotainment

Radio	Siriusxm With 360l Am/fm/satellite, Clock, Seek-scan / Siriusxm With 360l Am/fm/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers	10
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity

Convenience Features

Steering Wheel Type	Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control	Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control	With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror	Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window	Front And Rear
Tinted Windows	Deep
Vanity Mirrors	Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry	Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets	3

Safety Features

Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags	Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags	Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag	Driver And Passenger
Passenger Side Impact Airbag	Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Front
Anti-Lock Brakes	4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning	Lincoln Co-pilot360 - Automatic Emergency Braking Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor	Lincoln Co-pilot360 - Blind Spot Information System (blis) Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning	Lincoln Co-pilot360 - Lane Keeping Aid Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection	Lincoln Co-pilot360 - Pre-collision Assist With Pedestrian Detection Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert	Driver Alert Driver Attention
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams	Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors	Reverse Sensing System Rear
Security Systems	Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable	Securilock

Warranty

Bumper To Bumper Months Miles	48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Major Components Months	72 Months / 70,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months	72 Months / 70,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation	60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months	48 Months / 50,000 Miles

Used 2021 Lincoln Nautilus for Sale