Based on the Ford Edge, the Lincoln Nautilus is a two-row SUV that feels, looks, and drives like a true luxury vehicle instead of the half-hearted efforts from Lincoln vehicles past. It replaced the Lincoln MKX for 2019, though in reality the Nautilus was a refresh of the second-generation MKX that launched for 2016.
Lincoln Nautilus Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
Search for Lincoln Nautilus
See all
As the unpopular Continental sedan was winding down production, the Nautilus signified Lincoln's return to proper names after a decade of jumbling alphanumerics. It also defined a brand intent on distancing itself from Ford, both mechanically and visually, to better compete against rivals with a mainstream corporate parent such as Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti.
The Nautilus is currently in its second generation and is one of the few new vehicles in North America built in China. As a used vehicle, for both value and luxury, we prefer the first generation.
Lincoln Nautilus Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Pros and Cons
- Lincoln Nautilus Generations
- Lincoln Nautilus Second Generation (2024-Present)
- Lincoln Nautilus First Generation (2019-2023)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Lincoln Nautilus years are the best?
The 2021, 2022, and 2023 model years are the best for the Lincoln Nautilus SUV. The first generation had superior interior quality along with a more powerful turbocharged V6. Starting in 2021, the Nautilus had an upgraded dash with an updated infotainment system that made it even better.
Which Lincoln Nautilus years are the worst?
The current generation is definitely the worst in terms of interior quality and design. The software is unfinished, distracting, and difficult to use while driving. Even the air vents have to be controlled digitally. It does not feel premium enough for the price.
Is a used Lincoln Nautilus a good deal?
For a midsize, two-row luxury SUV, the Lincoln Nautilus is a good deal in any model year. Average list prices on CarGurus.ca were around $44,000 at the time of writing.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unique and compelling exterior style
- Powerful and efficient
- Good interior quality (first generation)
Cons:
- Average handling (first generation)
- Few physical controls and unimpressive software (second generation)
- Poor interior quality (second generation)
Lincoln Nautilus Generations
Lincoln Nautilus Second Generation (2024-Present)
Lincoln let the drama unfold with the 2024 Nautilus. It’s the first Lincoln with a 48-inch panoramic display on the dash and the first to be built in China and sold in North America. A hybrid powertrain and highly original exterior styling are among the new features.
Fixed door handles on the door trim, not on the door panels, are one of many styling details that make this Lincoln Nautilus model stand out. A new grille design with studded chrome accents, an LED bar connecting the headlights with an illuminated Lincoln logo, and Lincoln badging hidden in the dark taillight strip (without any model or trim badges) make the Nautilus feel more like a concept than a production vehicle. The Jet Appearance package adds a striking black roof, 20-inch or 22-inch wheels, and black interior and exterior styling elements depending on trim.
Inside, a huge display spanning the bottom of the windshield is intended to be an innovative user interface, but in reality it only displays a clock, tire pressure, weather, and other basic information and adds little to everyday operation. A new Google-based infotainment system on an 11.1-inch touchscreen is the prime spot for interaction — part of the “Lincoln Digital Experience” — which includes adjusting the driving modes and controlling the movement of each front air vent. It also includes Google Maps.
The 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine is carryover from the first generation with 250 horsepower, 280 pound-feet of torque, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). A hybrid replaces the turbocharged V6 as the optional powertrain with the same four-cylinder engine and two electric motors good for 310 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is rated at 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres city, 7.6 highway, and 7.7 combined compared to 11.2 L/100 km city, 8.1 highway, and 9.8 combined for the gas-only model.
In our test of a 2024 Nautilus Hybrid, we liked the peppy acceleration, smooth ride, and improved handling and steering feel, though we disliked the infotainment, the small oval steering wheel, and the obvious reduction in interior quality (cheaper, rougher leather, vinyl, and more plastic).
In Canada, a single Lincoln Nautilus trim level was available for 2024, the Reserve, with MSRPs ranging from $61,900 with the base engine to $65,400 for the hybrid before options, destination charges, and other fees. Power 10-way heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, leather upholstery, the Lincoln BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system, a 10-speaker stereo, an 11.1-inch touchscreen with 5G Wi-Fi, a wireless charging pad, a panoramic moonroof, a hands-free liftgate, and 21-inch wheels were standard specs.
For 2025, the Premiere trim joined the line-up, available with both the standard and hybrid powertrains. It comes with 19-inch wheels, adaptive headlamps, a power liftgate without a hands-free function, an available panoramic sunroof, a 10-speaker sound system, Lincoln BlueCruise functionality, and a full suite of safety and driver assistance features including blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
At the time of writing, a new 2026 Lincoln Nautilus had pricing ranging from $63,545 including destination charges and fees for the Premiere trim and $73,345 for the Reserve before options. Adding the hybrid powertrain tacks $3,500 onto the price of each model. Average list prices on CarGurus for the 2024 and 2025 Lincoln Nautilus are between $50,000 and $75,000 as of this writing.
Lincoln Nautilus First Generation (2019-2023)
The Nautilus was a classy new name that dressed up an otherwise ordinary Lincoln. While the MKX was significantly redesigned for 2016 so that it would no longer resemble a Ford Edge, the Nautilus replaced the split "baleen" grille and its double intakes for a single, horizontal layout with chrome latticework. The LED headlights were slimmer and exhibited the jeweled quality of other luxury SUVs such as the Acura MDX. The wheels evoked a turbine.
The infotainment system was also overhauled to use Sync 3, Ford's faster software that replaced MyLincoln Touch and added a Wi-Fi hotspot. A digital 12.3-inch instrument panel was standard. Aside from a plasticky centre stack on the dashboard and centre console, the rest of the interior was well-executed.
A turbocharged four-cylinder engine replaced the 3.7-litre V6 from the MKX, though at 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, it was not powerful enough for an SUV this large. When we tested the 2019 Nautilus, the optional twin-turbo 2.7-litre V6 was quiet and effortless with 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive was standard with both trim levels in Canada, Select and Reserve. An eight-speed automatic transmission replaced the six-speed unit.
The 2019 Nautilus was Natural Resources Canada-rated at 12.0 L/100 km city, 9.6 highway, and 10.7 combined with the four-cylinder engine and 12.6 L/100 km city, 9.2 highway, and 11.0 combined with the V6. Cargo space was 1,056 litres behind the rear seats and 1.948 litres with the seats folded, and a power tailgate was standard.
We tested models in this generation and found the Lincoln's smooth ride, comfortable seats, and ample power to be welcome on long cruises. The vague steering and soft suspension, while well-suited to Lincoln, made it uncompetitive with sportier German SUVs like the BMW X3.
The 2019 Nautilus retailed at an MSRP of between $50,450 and $55,550 before options and fees. Standard features included Lincoln Co-Pilot360, a group of driver-assist features such as a blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert, auto high beams, a lane-keeping system, and forward pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking for vehicles and pedestrians. An eight-inch touchscreen with two USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Sync 3 AppLink and 911 Assist were standard, along with SiriusXM, an 11-speaker stereo, dual-zone climate control, and full LED headlamps and taillights (the lights played a welcome sequence along with Lincoln logo in the puddle lights under the mirrors).
Heated and 10-way power front seats were standard along with an adaptive suspension, adaptive cornering lights, a wireless charging pad, leather seating, ambient lighting, a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and navigation. The Reserve added cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 13-speaker Revel audio system.
For 2020, Lincoln removed the Select trim. A Co-Pilot Plus package was newly available for the Reserve trim, which added 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control, lane centring, automatic parking, and evasive steering assist.
For 2021, the dashboard was entirely redesigned for a rectilinear, upright, and altogether more solidly constructed design that echoed the style of the smaller Corsair and the flashier interior of the full-size Navigator. A 13.2-inch touchscreen with Sync 4 was standard and came with over-the-air updates. The lower bumper was redesigned.
In its final year of this generation, the 2023 Nautilus came with redesigned wheels. Average list prices on CarGurus for the 2019 to 2023 Lincoln Nautilus were between $20,000 and $45,000 at the time of writing.
Related Topics
by Clifford Atiyeh
Clifford Atiyeh has hosted, directed, and produced more than 300 series-length videos for CarGurus since 2016. He has reported and photographed for dozens of websites, magazines, and newspapers over 20 years, including The Boston Globe, Car and Driver, and Road & Track. Clifford runs CHA Creative, which provides industry analysis and brand marketing to automotive clients.
The content above is for informational purposes only and should be independently verified. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.
