2020 Lincoln Nautilus

Lincoln combines the flavours of the old school sedans with a plush ride, roomy interior, and relaxed driving dynamics. The Nautilus is well equipped with the option for either an Inline-4 or a V6. Both of which are turbocharged and quiet enough to satisfy buyers seeking shelter from crumbling roads and gridlocked traffic in a well-isolated cabin.

Lincoln equips the Nautilus with plenty of features as well, including a standard suite of driver-assistance technologies and plenty of infotainment goodies. The top-shelf Black Label model is truly deluxe, but it's also truly expensive, putting it head-to-head with more desirable offerings from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, and Volvo. Compared with those heavy-hitters, the Nautilus still lacks the panache to lure buyers to Lincoln showrooms.

Three trim levels are available, Standard, Reserve and then ending with the Black Label. There's a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment, and all-wheel drive is offered across all trims and a V6 is optional. The standard Nautilus gets off to a good start with adaptive cruise control, leather seats, 18-inch wheels, and Apple Car Play and Android Auto both fully supported.

In keeping with the Lincoln brand's luxury ethos, the Nautilus is a soft-shoed crossover that's the happiest wafting lazily along—to a fault. 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.

We Recommend

We recommend the Reserve trim with the standard V6 turbocharged engine. It offers more features than the base and also adds extra comforts. By selecting this trim, you also get the option to add optional packages such as Climate package (heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, automatic windshield wipers, and automatic high beams) and Select Plus package (navigation system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert system).

The Entry Level Nautilus comes with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine generates 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. For people who want a bit more power a 2.7 litre V6 which generates 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. Both of the engines produced a great amount of torque at lower RPMs which makes the Nautilus feel stronger. Neither Engines felt underpowered in city driving, but the V6’s extra power is handy during highway merging and passing manoeuvres.

The power train is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission which n contributes to the driveability, smoothness, and refinement of every Nautilus. Front-wheel drive is standard while all-wheel drive is optional. Technologies like direct fuel injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) helps you to make most out of the engine.

All of the rivals produce a similar amount of horsepower and there is not much of a difference, but the power delivery is much linear in the German rivals.

Acceleration

The turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-four can take the Nautilus form 0 to 60 mph in just 6.8 seconds which is faster than most of the SUVs in this segment. The turbocharged V6 with more than enough horsepower can sprint a second faster than the standard power train. It covers the quarter-mile mark at 14.4 seconds topping out at 97 mph.

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.  

The Lincoln MKX takes 5.9-seconds to cover 60 mph with the V6 engine making it one of the fastest SUV in the segment. It stands well against some performance-oriented competitors. Power arrives in a linear fashion above 1,500 rpm, and Lincoln heavily damps the engine noise—it’s difficult to say exactly how many cylinders are at work. Front-wheel drive is standard while all-wheel drive is optional on this engine.

Ride and Handling

This Lincoln shares its suspension platform with the MKX. Additionally, adaptive steering has been introduced on the black edition which is again shared with the Ford Edge. The nautilus handles road imperfections without any hesitation with the ability to even handle knee-deep bumps. With a suspension composed of front struts and an independent rear end, and shod with 18-inch to 21-inch tires, the 2020 Nautilus doesn’t have a hint of sportiness even on the twistiest roads. It’s best as a long-distance cruiser, and in that arena, it excels.

The steering is well-weighted but sometimes feels overly sensitive. The handling feels numb with no sense of tire’s interaction with the road. A competitor like BMW X3 and GLC may deliver sharper handling but the Lincoln Nautilus with a long wheelbase and adaptive suspension makes for a comfortable and composed ride over rough roads.

Braking

The Lincoln Nautilus is equipped with crisp brakes and body control is appreciable on corners. The pedal travel is large and emergency stops are straight with a minimal nosedive. The Lincoln takes a respectable 117 feet to stop from 60 mph which is on par with the old MKX (119 feet).

The Nautilus 2.7-liter with AWD stops from 60 mph in 119 feet, which is a good performance but it cannot match the rivals like Audi Q5 and BMW X3 in terms of stopping prowess.

Lincoln Nautilus features Auto Start-Stop Technology that can shut the engine off when the vehicle comes to a complete stop to help you save fuel. The inline-four with front-wheel drive delivers 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway while the AWD variant reduces 1 mpg (20 city/25 highway) from both the figures. The V 6 engine is surprisingly fueled efficiently and delivers 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway while the AWD variant delivers 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

The Lincoln Nautilus is the least fuel-efficient in its class and most of the rivals delivers a better fuel economy.

Unlike the exterior, the cabin of Nautilus is quite spacious. The only difference from the previous generation is the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster which is standard across the lineup. The 2020 Nautilus boasts a top-notch interior crafted from upscale material.The cabin of the Nautilus is finished in layers of luxurious leathers, metals, and woods become available as you climb up through the lineup. Nearly everything in the Reserve and Black Label trims were wrapped in soft leather, and the headliner of the Black Label model is covered in faux suede.

At 190 inches long,the exterior size translates to tons of interior space, and while the standard front seats are plenty comfortable, they are moreover adjustable 10 ways, the rear bench lacks the same cushioning and bolstering. Optional 22-way power seats on the Reserve and Black trim add cooling and heating as standard. These are some of my favorite luxury vehicle seats. The massage function is also available too, welcoming on long drives.

A tall roof and a large door make for an easy entry/exit in the Nautilus. The front seats are ultra-comfortable and offers a generous amount of support. There is enough legroom in both the rows to accommodate adults, although the headroom is a bit tight because of Nautilus’s sloping roofline.

The BMW X3 and Audi Q5 are somewhat similar in terms of interior dimensions and Nautilus bags the second spot followed by the GLC 300.

Interior Features

• 12.3" LCD instrument cluster display
• 60/40 split-fold-flat rear seat with recline
• EasyFold® seatback release
• Active Noise Control 
• Comfort front seats with 10-way power adjustability
• Driver’s side memory feature
• Heated front seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Power windows with one-touch-up/-down with global open/close for all 4 windows

Infotainment System

The Sync 3 system's touchscreen interface is also notable for its user-friendly operation, including the way it incorporates familiar smartphone-like gestures including swipe and pinch-to-zoom." Edmunds

The 2019 Lincoln MKX comes fitted with the parent company Ford’s latest Sync 3 infotainment system, which is easy-to-use but does not respond to touch as quickly as in some rivals. Apple Car Play and Android Auto come standard while the 8-inch touchscreen has bright and intuitive graphics. Standard features include:

• 10-speaker audio system
• Satellite radio
• Bluetooth
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Sirius XM with 6 months access

Cargo Capacity

The Lincoln Nautilus comes with a generous amount of cargo space at the back which is 37 cubic feet. The 60/40 split folding rear seats can help you to accommodate 69 cubic feet. It is above average for this segment and all passengers have plenty of room for their belongings. You also get hands free lift agate for easy access and the load height is also low.

The Nautilus has got the highest amount of cargo space and no rival comes close to it.

The Nautilus embraces a bolder look into the front with new headlamps, a new hood and restyled front fenders. The corporate style mesh grille perfectly integrates into the nose with sweptback headlights looks dynamic. There are chrome accents on each side embellished with "Nautilus" looks prominent. Bystanders will definitely notice this vehicle as it is a looker. The thin turn signals look excessively like bristles which are definitely inspired by the Navigator. The side profile is cohesive with chiseled lines starting from the front and ending at the rear fender. In the rear, Nautilus- changes are kept to a minimum—that is something to be thankful for since the MKX was alluring from behind.

When it comes to dimensions, the Lincoln Nautilus is the longest but maneuverability will not be a concern. In terms of width, the Nautilus is also the biggest which in turn makes up for more interior space.

Exterior Features

• Acoustic-laminated windshield and front-door glass
• Dual chrome exhaust tips
• Easy Fuel® capless fuel filler
• Hands-free liftgate
• LED headlamps with dynamic signature lighting
• LED tail lamps with LED backup lights
• Power-adjustable, auto fold, heated, body-color side-view mirrors with memory and integrated LED turn signal indicators
• Rearview camera wash

Towing Capacity

When fitted with the class 2 hitch the Nautilus is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds which is enough for a small trailer, or a pair of Jet Ski. Some class rivals can pull a considerably heavier load.

Whether parked on the road or on the move, the Lincoln Nautilus has you covered with many safety features. The 2020 Lincoln MKX has earned an impressive crash rating by the NHSTA and the IIHS. The NHSTA rated the MKX with a five star overall, albeit a four star for rollover. The IIHS meanwhile gave it “Good” scores on the crash test, and a “Superior” rating for crash avoidance but only with the AEB (automatic emergency braking) that is a part of Driver Assistance package ($2,250).

In terms of reliability, Lincoln has covered the car with a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 6-year/ 70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

The GLC 300 is definitely a segment leader in terms of luxury, it combines high quality material with cutting-edge technology. The 2.0 liter turbocharged powertrain produces 241 horsepower and an equal amount of torque. The GLC feels more athletic than the Nautilus but the options cost quickly add up to a hefty price tag when you compare it with the Lincoln.

Audi Q5

The 2.0 liter engine produces 252 horsepower from its turbocharged four-cylinders mated with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The power delivery is much linear when compared with the Nautilus. All-wheel drive is standard in Audi Q5 while it is optional for the Nautilus. The driving dynamics of the Audi is far better than the Lincoln and it proves a better option.

BMW X3

The BMW X3 is among some of the best SUV’s you can get for your money. Power comes from a 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder which puts out 248 hp and a similar amount of torque. The optional xDrive variant is far more dynamic than the optional all-wheel-drive in the Nautilus. The handling is precise while the Nautilus have dead center steering and its overall performance is good in the X3.

Lincoln has done a noteworthy job in updating the MKS form outside but it doesn’t feel all that different inside. The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus low price and a long list of features along with a comfy and plush cabin make it a top pick in the midsize luxury SUV segment. It does everything well if not the best. It isn’t exciting as most of the rivals but the presidential Lincoln’s are above all in terms of luxury and comfort.