2023 Lincoln Nautilus
Overview
Lincoln used to be a brand known for big, comfortable boat-like sedans like that darling of airport car services everywhere, the Town Car. In the age of the SUV that spirit lives on in the 2023 Nautilus. Its floaty ride and isolated cabin is a four-wheeled refuge from the rigors of the daily commute, drowning out the sounds of traffic and wafting over bumps with a cushiony indifference. Both a turbocharged four-cylinder and a twin-turbocharged V-6 are offered, but it doesn’t matter—neither turns the Nautilus into a drag racer and either will be more-than-adequate for a relaxed ride to your destination. If you’re looking for an SUV with some sporty flavor, try an Audi SQ8, the Porsche Cayenne, or the Maserati Levante—admittedly, all of them much more expensive, but you get the skill set you pay for. If all you’re looking for is a placid ride and a posh cabin then the Nautilus might do just fine, and starts to look like a bargain too.
What’s New for 2023?
The Nautilus receives some different wheel designs and a new Jewel Sandstone paint option for 2023. A new Premium package is also offered on the base Standard trim and includes in-dash navigation with live traffic updates, a power-adjustable steering column, and a universal garage door opener.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The midrange Reserve trim strikes us as the best balance of value and luxury. For the extra cash they pay versus the Standard trim, buyers will enjoy a panoramic sunroof, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a 13-speaker Revel audio system, in-dash navigation, a power-adjustable steering column, and heated and cooled front seats. We’d replace the standard 18-inch wheels with 20-inch rollers—the 18-inchers look too small on the Nautilus’s curvy frame—otherwise, we’d keep options to a minimum.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The entry-level engine in the Nautilus lineup is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that pumps out 250 horsepower. It’s hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission and can be had with front- or all-wheel drive. Our Reserve test vehicle with all-wheel drive managed a 6.8-second zero-to-60-mph time, falling behind the Cadillac XT5 by 0.2. We also tested the optional 335-hp 2.7-liter turbocharged V-6, and it delivered a brisk 5.9-second zero-to-60-mph time. Neither engine felt underpowered in city driving, but the V-6’s extra power is handy during highway merging and passing maneuvers. In keeping with the Lincoln brand’s luxury ethos, the Nautilus is a soft-shoed crossover that’s happiest when it is loping lazily along. Its available adaptive suspension helps smooth impacts from potholes. Reserve and Black Label models, along with the all-wheel-drive Select, come with three driving modes (Comfort, Normal, and Sport) for an extra layer of personalization.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The SUVs in this segment are all closely grouped when it comes to EPA fuel-efficiency estimates, but it’s no surprise that the four-cylinder Nautilus with front-wheel drive leads the way for the Lincoln entrants. What is surprising, though, is how close the turbocharged V-6 models are to the four-cylinder’s numbers. The all-wheel-drive four-cylinder Nautilus is rated at 22 mpg in combined driving, while the all-wheel-drive V-6 version is rated at 21. Our all-wheel-drive V-6 Black Label test vehicle only delivered 24 of its 25-mpg highway estimate on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route. For more information about the Nautilus’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The cabin of the Nautilus is finished in nice materials; layers of more luxurious leathers, metals, and woods become available as you climb up through the lineup. Nearly everything in our Reserve and Black Label test vehicles was wrapped in soft leather, and the headliner of Black Label models is covered in faux suede. Although the Nautilus shares a platform with the Ford Edge, buyers likely wouldn’t guess that. While the vehicles are similarly spacious, the cabin of the Lincoln offers more style and substance in the form of optional massaging seats with 22-way adjustability, a standard digital gauge cluster, and a push-button gear selector. Behind the Nautilus’s rear seat is a vast cargo area that swallowed 12 carry-on suitcases in our testing—two more than the XT5 and three more than the RX350. Dropping the rear seat to its flat position—a process that’s made simple due to handy levers in the cargo area that flop the seatbacks down—creates room for up to 27 suitcases, which matches the larger, three-row Volvo XC90.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
In addition to the 12.3-inch digital gauge display, all Nautilus models come with a large 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen. Ford’s latest Sync 4 infotainment software is easy to use and offers more modern features, including over-the-air update capability. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, an 11-speaker audio system, and a 4G LTE-powered onboard Wi-Fi hotspot are all standard; navigation and a wireless smartphone-charging pad are standard on Reserve and Black Label models. Especially appealing to buyers with kids, Lincoln offers an optional rear-seat entertainment system on all trim levels.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
All Nautilus models come with Lincoln’s Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assistance features as standard. For more information about the Nautilus’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection Standard lane-keeping assist with lane-departure warning Available adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Although the Lincoln’s powertrain warranty is longer than its rivals, including the XC90 and the Audi Q8, its bumper-to-bumper policy doesn’t push the boundaries of what the rest of the segment offers. Paying for the expensive Black Label trim adds dealership perks such as four years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, an annual detailing service for the first four years of ownership, and a culinary concierge for restaurant reservations.
Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers 6 years or 70,000 miles Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for up to 4 years or 50,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2021 Lincoln Nautilus
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
BASE PRICE
Standard, $42,935; Reserve, $50,405; Black Label, $66,085
ENGINES
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 250 hp, 280 lb-ft; twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 2.7-liter inline-6, 335 hp, 380 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Length: 190.0 in
Width: 78.7 in
Height: 66.2 in
Passenger volume: 111 ft3
Cargo volume: 37 ft3
Curb weight (C/D est): 4350–4800 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 5.8–6.9 sec
1/4 mile: 14.3–15.4 sec
Top speed: 135 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 21–23/19–21/25–26 mpg
More Features and Specs
