Words By: Adam Allen
Well, that came out of left field- we weren’t expecting to love the Lincoln Nautilus, and yet here we are.
It’s not that the Nautilus is an inherently bad SUV and we were just waiting for the inevitable skullduggery to set in; far from it. We’ve always had a soft spot for the model dating back to when it was known as the MKZ instead of the cephalopod-based label it carries today. We were especially partial to the 2.7 twin turbo V6 engine cribbed from the Ford F150 pickup; but that engine isn’t available anymore and so much has changed besides the binning of V6 power. Without further ado, let us delve into what makes the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus such a compelling entry in a hotly contested segment; you’ll begin to see why we like it so much.
The warm and fuzzies we feel towards this steed are no doubt cultivated by the holistic redesign the model went through recently. We liked the old one a bunch, but Lincoln really pulled out all the stops this time around the model evolution block. First, there’s the styling. Other than the old Mark VIII coupe from several years ago, we haven’t heard anyone comment so favorably on any Lincoln’s duds. The silhouette doesn’t offer anything unique and seems like an exercise in derivative styling, albeit a good one. However, seeing it in the flesh dispels any notion of a cookie cutter vibe- this is one handsome SUV. In hunkers down purposefully on its sharply designed 21” rolling stock and everything exudes an air of clean and crisp. Decked out in exclusive Blue Panther paint, our Nautilus was smartly dressed but tastefully understated in execution. We like the notion of looking great without needing to draw too much attention in doing so.
If the exteriors’ rework pays dividends in terms of curb appeal, you have to step inside to see what Lincoln was up to with the interior. It certainly knocked our socks off, so much so that one staffer remarked how it’s as good or better than what we have come to expect from the German entries who hog all the headlines in the segment. We had just driven Audi’s refreshed but insufferably boring Q5 whose interior felt very chintzy compared to the Linc. It isn’t just the superb build quality and astute choice of materials that serve to wow occupants. Lincoln has a suite of killer apps that make the interior a place you’ll want to spend many hours cocooned in.
The first and most obvious is the 48-inch screen that spans the entire dashboard. At first, its unique layout compared to the instrument panel layout we’re used to was a bit jarring. But, after a short time, it began to make sense and even we, shunners of oversize screens (cough-cough Mecedes Hyperscreen) fell in love with the setup. That’s a good thing because the newest version of BlueCruise adaptive cruise control which is standard kit on our tester performed flawlessly. It’s a system you’ll actually want to use, not like the clumsy nature of the version in our Q5. And you’ll be extremely comfortable and relaxed while doing so because the seats are the best we’ve sampled this side of any Volvo product, decked out in supple hides as they are and offering no less than 24 ways of power adjustment for the aptly named Perfect Position thrones. If you’re still feeling like your chakras aren’t in alignment, there’s a pseudo meditation program Lincoln calls Rejuvenate. Park the Nautilus and settle in as the SUV gets to work pampering its driver. Using eye popping visuals on the expansive screen combined with a gentle soundtrack, soothing scents and a massage program playing out through those excellent seats are a way to help take the edge off. Don’t worry about nodding off, as halfway through the program it switches over to a more invigorating blend of visuals, scents and music so that you’ll arrive at that important meeting fresh and focused. It sounds kind of gimmicky but we loved it. No car before has cared so deeply about our general well-being. Thanks Lincoln!
The last party trick the Nautilus brings to the table comes courtesy of its mind-blowing Revel Ultima 3D sound system with no less than twenty eight speakers. The sound that comes out of ‘em is among the best our ears have been treated to, and we have had the pleasure of listening to our favorite tunes through some very high-end systems- none came close to the Lincoln. For us, this bit of kit became a must have and its demo mode will never fail to impress.
With all these bells and whistles at your disposal, it can become easy to forget that this SUV is meant to be driven. Get the Nautilus out on the road and the parade of delights continues. First, it’s effusively quiet, more so than a Lexus RX350. The ride quality is superbly placid and manages to deliver its heaps of comfort without any trace of float- this Nautilus is not nautical. Push too hard and the Linc will remind you that this is not a conveyance meant for twisty roads. Put it into its Excite drive mode and the adaptive dampers and steering firm up noticeably, but we wouldn’t recommend taking it to your local autocross event. There’s enough power on tap to get the Nautilus moving smartly, and the engineers have managed to exorcise the grumbly soundtrack that accompanies the corporate 2.0 turbo four found under the hoods of so many Ford/Lincoln products. If you want a little more zip combined with better fuel economy, there is a hybrid version available.
There are a few areas where the Nautilus could use a little more polish. We pined for better steering feel than the numbness that creeps in through the helm, and we hoped for a brake pedal that didn’t feel like we were stepping on a ball of wet socks. We complained about the V6 being M.I.A. and expected better fuel economy as a result of two fewer cylinders and less displacement but we didn’t get it- the turbo four achieved nearly identical consumption figures as the 2.7 twin turbocharged V6. We have no doubt that the hybrid would have fared better.
If the excellence the Nautilus has woven into its DNA was a surprise to us, so was the price tag. We thought that with the smattering of upgrades Lincoln managed that the price would be pushed to a threshold that could threaten the Nautilus with an asking price too big for its britches. When we learned that our tester stickered for a shade under $80,000, that sealed the deal for us. Like we said, it’s sneaky good.
2025 Lincoln Nautilus AWD Reserve - Specifications
- Price as tested: $78,745
- Powertrain Layout: Front engine/all-wheel drive
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Engine: 2.0 litre turbocharged inline four cylinder, 16 valves, DOHC
- Horsepower: 250 @ 5,500 rpm
- Torque (lbs-ft.): 280 @ 3,000 rpm
- Curb weight: 2,138 kg (4,714 lbs)
- Observed Fuel Consumption: 14.3L/100km (16 mpg)