2023 Lincoln Nautilus

Generous equipment as standard. There are three trim levels on the Nautilus, starting with Standard, which costs $44,825 in FWD guise. Its synthetic leather front seats have 10-way power adjustment and heating, while the 12.3-inch instrument display is joined by a 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The $51,040 Reserve brings navigation, a panoramic sunroof, and ventilated leather front seats, while the $67,245 Black Label model offers curated interior themes along the lines you might expect from a luxury British brand like Bentley. Standard fitments here include a 19-speaker Revel audio system, 22-way adjustment for the seats, and 21-inch wheels, yet it’s impossible to recommend a model that’s $23,000 more than the base trim without offering more space or performance.

Standard safety across the range runs to active lane control, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking, though adaptive cruise and a surround-view camera aren’t similarly specified on every model. Speaking of safety, the NHTSA has awarded a five-star rating but the IIHS has described the headlights on standard models as “poor” – a rare criticism.

A luxurious land yacht. The Nautilus’s aquatic name seems quite fitting when you throw it into a corner. Lethargic responses suggest it’d much rather carry on in a straight line, while the slow-witted steering is numb and gives little indication of what’s happening where rubber meets road. Front-drive won’t impress the purists, but it’s safer in bad weather than RWD despite the occasional dab of torque steer under heavy acceleration, and you can add all-wheel drive to the smaller of its two gas engines. This will probably be most people’s choice – a 250 hp two-liter turbocharged engine mated to an impressively fuss-free eight-speed automatic transmission.

This gearbox is also paired with the more powerful 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6, whose 335 hp output is dispatched to the road through standard AWD. It also emits a suitably bellicose soundtrack, though it’s worth noting sound deadening is excellent in all Nautilus models. This isn’t much of a tow car, maxing out at 3,500 lb, but it is very comfortable. An impressive standard ride can be augmented further with available adaptive dampers that provide extra cushioning against potholes and ridges.

What’s it like to live with? Lincoln has attempted to simplify the Nautilus ownership experience by offering a four-year, 50,000-mile warranty. There’s also a concierge service where the car is collected and returned when a service is due, though the servicing itself isn’t scheduled as it is with many competitors. Other running costs include a thirst for gas, ranging from 21 to 23 mpg on the combined cycle. There are no hybrid or electric variants in this range.

On a day-to-day basis, there’s a lot to admire about the Nautilus’s design. As well as quality materials and a strong infotainment system, there are features like the center console caddy which can accommodate a tablet, with plenty of other pockets dotted around. The tailgate opens to reveal just over 37 cubic feet of storage space, with almost 69 cubes available once the rear seats are folded down.

Final thoughts. Lincoln has pitched the Nautilus quite cleverly. Offering bespoke interior fit-outs on Black Label models helps to position it as a premium model, while the $45,000 starting price of Standard trim places it within the grasp of people who might otherwise consider an Audi Q5 or BMW X3. There’s certainly plenty to attract you to the Nautilus, not least its premium cabin and excellent infotainment system. There’s generous cabin space for five, decent cargo capacity, and a high level of specification that ensures even buyers of the cheapest trim won’t feel like poor relations.

Our criticisms are limited to grumbles about the price of the aforementioned Black Label models (though you could always buy a cheaper trim and live with a smaller palette of materials) and the disappointing way the Nautilus approaches corners. Fuel economy is weak and we do have concerns about the standard headlights – it’s rare for the IIHS to use the word “poor” in any vehicle review. Nevertheless, there’s a lot to like here, alongside a few things buyers will love.

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