2024 Lincoln Nautilus Reinvents A Brand From The Inside Out

The previous-generation Lincoln Nautilus was fine. Yes, fine. It looked decent, had plenty of amenities inside, and rode well – but it did nothing to make a lasting impression in the mid-size luxury SUV segment. That leaves the new Lincoln Nautilus with a difficult mission: improve on the outgoing model, change perceptions of the Lincoln brand, and, most importantly, stand out from the crowd.

For 2024, the Nautilus enters just its second generation, and rather than take the in-vogue approach of turning it into an electric vehicle, Lincoln decided to lean on its manufacturing facilities in China to produce what it believes is a game-changing luxury SUV instead. Has this gamble paid off? Well, this is by far the most well-built Lincoln vehicle we’ve ever driven. We’re impressed.

The Nautilus doesn’t break new ground under the hood, where a turbocharged four-cylinder engine can be had as is, or as part of a hybrid powertrain. However, inside is where you can see evidence of Lincoln’s reawakening. The Nautilus features an expansive 48-inch panoramic display, and while the giant screen may be a bit of a novelty to lure in potential buyers, the Nautilus truly impresses with superior materials, technology, and features that are not found on many of its rivals. This is not only the best Lincoln we’ve ever driven, but it might make us think twice about buying a Lexus RX.

Exterior: Lighting A New Path

Lincoln’s previous design language never made a bad impression, but it wasn’t instantly distinctive either. This all-new model doesn’t set a benchmark for SUV styling, but it certainly looks attractive. Upfront, H2 Pixel headlights illuminate with a beautiful animation when you walk up to the Nautilus at night. The Reserve trim adds an illuminated Lincoln logo on the grille, while the Black Label gets light-up Lincoln lettering on the liftgate, which also lights up in sequence.

19-inch bright-machined wheels come standard on the Premier trim and do look a tad small for the Nautilus. Stepping up to the Reserve dials the wheels size up to 21 inches, while the top Black Label rides on 22-inch wheels. A $3,000 Jet Appearance Package (available on Reserve and Black Label models only) includes 22-inch wheels, black exterior elements, and body-colored wheel arches.

Infinite Black Metallic and Silver Radiance Metallic are the only no-cost color choices. Red Carpet, Diamond Red, and Blue Panther are all new colors for 2024, each priced at $750, along with Lustrous Gray, a carryover hue. Chroma Caviar is also new, priced at $2,000 exclusively for the Black Label. Our tester came finished in the most expensive Chroma Caviar color with the Jet Appearance Package, a combination that helped the Nautilus stand out as a premium item, and giving it a menacing air.

Interior: The Wow Factor

Though the Mercedes Hyperscreen is bigger, it’s only available on certain models and trims that all cost well over $100,000. Lincoln made sure its 48-inch panoramic display was standard on the Nautilus, even the base model. As with the Mercedes screen, we were initially worried that Lincoln’s display would be overwhelming, distracting, and gimmicky. We are happy to report that it’s not overwhelming or distracting, and we find its integration into the cockpit is natural without feeling over-the-top the way some Mercedes products do.

The left side of the screen is restricted to showing a speedometer and a Google Map; there are no other options. This keeps the customization simple, but limits what drivers can have directly in their field of view.

The right side is dedicated to widgets, which can be customized from the lower 11.1-inch touchscreen. Unfortunately, the widgets are currently limited to weather, trip information, media information, tire pressure, and a clock. If Lincoln can add more functionality in the future, we could see this screen as a major disruptor in the segment. As of now, it’s just a nice conversation piece. We’d like to see Lincoln integrate the next-generation Apple CarPlay into the setup to fully take advantage of the massive real estate.

Though the screen itself could benefit from expanded functionality, Lincoln packed plenty of other neat touches into this cabin. The Premier trim starts strong with ten speakers, but the Black Label blows audiophiles away with a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system. It’s crystal clear and packs a punch. Like a Tesla, the Nautilus’ air vents are controlled via the touchscreen, and they can also be set to osculate air. Lincoln added what it calls Digital Scents, which can blow out three unique smells from the vents.

That giant screen isn’t what impressed us most about the Nautilus; it’s the build quality. Lincoln products have traditionally felt like just an elevated Ford, meaning they didn’t stack up well against the competition from Europe or Japan. The Nautilus changes that narrative with the company’s most cohesive cabin possibly ever. Perfect Position Front Seats with 24-way adjustment and massage come standard on the Black Label and are available optionally on the Reserve. These are not only the most comfortable seats in the segment, but they rival the best of many six-figure SUVs.

Instead of simply offering colors for the interior, Lincoln supplies themes. Black Label customers can select between Chalet, a lighter combination with Alpine leather, or the exclusive Redwood theme found in our tester, an earthy mixture with Dark Smoked Truffle seats.

Practicality: Big Mid-Size

It may be smaller than the three-row Aviator, but the Nautilus packs plenty of space for a two-row mid-size crossover. 39.8 inches of rear legroom (38.4 in the Black Label) outmatches the Lexus RX, one of the best-selling luxury SUVs in America. The rear seats slide and recline and are heated, but they are not available with power adjustment or ventilation like the RX.

Behind the second row, you will find 36.4 cubic feet of space (35.2 in the Black Label). Buttons to fold the rear seats are conveniently located in the trunk, opening the storage to 71.3 cubes (68.8 in the Black Label). For comparison as seen in the table above, the Nautilus easily outcarries the RX.

Performance: Nothing Special

For a vehicle that takes such big shots at exterior and interior design, the Nautilus plays it safe under the hood. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder acts as the base powertrain, delivering 250 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, numbers that are nothing to shout about. An eight-speed automatic delivers imperceptibly smooth shifts, sending power out to a standard all-wheel-drive system. Fuel economy with this powertrain is fine, but not outstanding.

Last year’s twin-turbo V6 was dropped and replaced by the turbocharged four-cylinder mentioned above, paired with a hybrid system. The total output is rated at 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, which is worth noting because the outgoing V6 was more potent with 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. That oddly places the Nautilus Hybrid above the RX 350h but below the RX 500h F Sport Performance in terms of output. The benefit here is fuel economy, with the hybrid boasting up to 30 mpg combined compared to the old V6’s 21 mpg. It also deserves a mention that the Nautilus Hybrid replaces the automatic with a continuously variable transmission.

Lincoln offers flexibility by having the hybrid available on all three trim levels for just $1,500. Owners should earn back that premium with fuel savings in fewer than four years.

Driving Impressions: Taking Aim At Lexus

It’s clear from behind the wheel that Lincoln isn’t targeting BMW or Mercedes with the new Nautilus; it wants to steal customers from Lexus. Lincoln didn’t bother making the Nautilus “sporty” or “dynamic;” this is a rolling couch in the best way possible. Standard adaptive suspension does its best to shelter occupants from road imperfections without letting the vehicle flop around in corners. It reminds us a lot of the previous-generation RX, but without the sloppy handling. The new RX goes in a sportier direction and may appeal less to traditional Lexus clientele who prefer a soft ride.

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Acoustic glass creates a quiet sanctuary, even at highway speeds, where the Nautilus can deploy Lincoln BlueCruise for hands-free driving. This is a stellar road trip vehicle, and we have difficulty thinking of a better one for under $100,000.

Perhaps our only complaint about the driving experience can be pointed to the steering wheel. Much like one found in the Subaru Solterra (but less severe than the one in Tesla Cybertruck), the steering wheel in the Nautilus is more square than round, meaning it takes some time to get used to and drive smoothly with. Unlike Tesla, Lincoln didn’t give the Nautilus an advanced steer-by-wire system, so at least the steering effort is linear and doesn’t change depending on speed.

Pricing & Verdict: Pricey But Worth It?

Pricing for the 2024 Nautilus starts rather affordably for a luxury vehicle, at $50,415 for the Premier trim level. Upgrading to the Reserve brings the price to $54,750, but this trim unlocks several option packages that can increase the MSRP by over $10,000. If you plan to check option boxes on the Reserve, we think you are better off getting the Black Label, which comes nearly fully loaded at $74,250. Our tester did include some pricey options, like the Chroma Caviar exterior paint and Jet Black Appearance Package, pulling the total price above $81,000, including the $1,595 destination charge.

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There are plenty of luxurious alternatives in the mid-size luxury SUV space, depending on what you value. The BMW X5 is more powerful and sportier than the Lincoln, while the Lexus RX can be far more efficient and offers a plug-in hybrid. Within the same lineup, the Lincoln Aviator, which was just given a refresh for 2025, includes a third row and more power, but it doesn’t get the 48-inch screen from the Nautilus (nor does it get the hybrid engine).

The Nautilus previously felt like an afterthought in its segment, a competent yet uninspiring SUV for buyers who wanted something American but didn’t like the humdrum Cadillac XT5. With this 2024 redesign, Lincoln has taken the Nautilus into new territory where we don’t just see it as a viable alternative to the Cadillac; we prefer it to the Lexus RX. You may have doubts about a Lincoln built in China, but save your judgments until you have sat in and experienced the new Nautilus. This isn’t your granddad’s Lincoln.