2024 Lincoln Nautilus Review and Video

Talk about a tough crowd.

Lincoln has long faced an uphill battle in the midsize sport utility segment, squaring off against the likes of the Lexus RX and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, just to name a couple of its most competent competitors. That battle dates back to the days when its entry was dubbed the MKX, which was essentially a spruced-up version of the Ford Edge.

While that remained the case even after it was renamed, the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus finally finds itself on its own four wheels. No longer little more than a flashy Ford, this stylish entry is loaded with stand-out features and technology – and all for a compelling price tag.

Power: 7/10

OK, the new Nautilus still has a few characteristics in common with its predecessor. Namely, the turbocharged 2.0L engine powering this tester is the same as before – and, indeed, the same as the one offered in the soon-to-be-discontinued Edge. It also happens to be found under the hood of the smaller Lincoln Corsair and its mainstream counterpart, the Ford Escape.

That matters if only to illustrate the failure to further differentiate the Nautilus as its own entry, not to mention make it more competitive amongst other SUVs this size. As it stands, the GLE-Class – along with the BMW X5 – can be had with the choice of four-, six-, or eight-cylinder engines, and even a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) setup.

This tester teams an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive with that 2.0L four-cylinder, which generates 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. It’s certainly enough output to move the Nautilus with a modicum of quickness, but it’s nothing compared to what some of its rivals are capable of.

Fuel Economy: 8/10

In fairness, a turbocharged six-cylinder used to be offered here, but it’s been replaced by a hybrid system instead. That’s supposed to burn gas at a combined rate of 7.7 L/100 km – splitting the difference between the two conventional hybrid versions of the Lexus RX (6.5 and 8.6) – while the non-hybrid tested here is good for 9.8.

Even so, this week-long test saw the Nautilus overachieve to the tune of an indicated average of 9.1 L/100 km across a total of roughly 370 km. Better still, it runs on regular-grade gas compared to its rivals that call for expensive premium stuff.

Styling: 9/10

While it may share those mechanical components with its predecessor, the new Nautilus looks like an entirely new vehicle inside and out. Starting with the cabin, the dash-wide display screen puts all sorts of relevant – and some irrelevant – information well within the driver’s field of view while also functioning as the space’s stylistic centrepiece. The rest of the design is a little more average and understated, which isn’t so much a criticism as it is a statement of fact.

Meanwhile, the exterior styling has serious shades of a concept vehicle come to reality. The evolution of Lincoln’s signature design language is apparent from all sides, with this latest iteration featuring a striking simplicity to go with a few futuristic flourishes. The full-width lighting front and back, along with the door handles that have been incorporated within the window sills, are especially nice touches.

Comfort: 8/10

The reality is that the Nautilus still doesn’t look and feel quite as luxurious as some of its contemporaries – especially when they’re done up in their finest finishes. OK, the leather upholstery inside this Lincoln is about as supple as it gets; but then some of the plastics used throughout the space are a step downmarket, diminishing the premium vibe at least a little.

The front seats themselves are quite comfortable, however, especially with the optional 24-way adjustability and massage functionality that’s part of the pricey 203A package ($12,750). Likewise, the 28-speaker stereo that comes with it provides crisp and clean sound, although the orchestra of chimes and warnings that pump through the speakers and can’t be disabled is a near-constant irritant.

Otherwise, ride quality is superb, this in spite of the massive wheels the Nautilus rides on (21- or 22-inch alloys, depending on equipment). While the adaptive suspension setup uses sensors to react to what’s happening, there’s a level of comfort here that makes it feel more like an air system. Yes, pressure cracks make themselves known thanks to the low-profile tires, but this sport utility manages to roll around with impressive composure.

Driving Feel: 7/10

Less impressive is the lifeless steering that’s virtually entirely absent of feel or feedback, particularly at city speeds. It’s not that a sporty experience should be expected in an SUV like this, either, but some idea of which direction the wheels are pointed is better than none at all. Making matters worse – or at least weird – is the oblong shape of the steering wheel, which is awkward to handle at low speeds like when parking.

Safety: 9/10

Should that annoyance become bothersome, the Nautilus’s standard self-parking system can manoeuvre in and out of both parallel and perpendicular spots all on its own. Other advanced safety and driver-assistance features include a full array of parking sensors and surround-view cameras, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and keeping assistance, and blind-spot monitoring with collision avoidance.

The Nautilus also comes with adaptive cruise control that works in stop-and-go traffic, while the optional hands-free functionality is a worthy upgrade for those who spend a disproportionate amount of time driving on the highway. Hell, even those who don’t will appreciate the novelty of the so-called BlueCruise system, which takes over steering controls on pre-mapped stretches and will even complete automated lane changes when prompted.

Features: 9/10

BlueCruise isn’t standard fare, but comes bundled in either of the upgrade packages offered in Canada. Those also include a panoramic sunroof, heated rear seats, and 14- or 28-speaker stereos, depending on price. But then there’s plenty of standard stuff, too, including heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, integrated Google Maps, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a wireless smartphone charger, among others including leather upholstery and active noise cancellation.

User-Friendliness: 8/10

The 48-inch information screen that’s aligned with the top of the hood comes with a small learning curve based on its size alone. There’s also a separate touchscreen for the climate and infotainment functions located lower on the dash, which is where the smartphone-mirroring systems are projected. The menu structure is simple, as is the permanent row of climate controls, although physical switchgear would make the system even easier to use.

Practicality: 8/10

Also requiring some adjustment time are the door handles – and not because they’re harder to use being higher on the doors, but because they sit in the driver’s peripheral vision. Otherwise, the windows all around are large and offer excellent outward visibility, while the door openings front and rear are wide and make climbing in and out easy.

The space inside is well used, with ample rear-seat room for this segment. The cargo area is big, too, with 997 L behind the back seats and 1,947 L with them folded. Towing capacity, however, is a rather meagre 794 kg (1,750 lb) compared to 1,585 kg (3,494 lb) for the Lexus RX, and at least 2,700 kg (5,952 lb) for the Mercedes GLE-Class.

Value: 8/10

The 2024 Nautilus starts at $61,900 before freight and tax – slightly more than the Lexus RX ($59,850), but significantly less than the Mercedes GLE 350 ($82,800) and BMW X5 xDrive40i ($86,000). That means even with all manner of options and extras, this tester’s pre-tax price of $81,745 still undercuts the cheapest versions of its German rivals. Meanwhile, making either of them as feature-rich as this requires upgrades that add considerable sums to those price tags.

The Verdict

Yes, both the X5 and GLE-Class can feel far more luxurious than the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus. And they’re available with even more impressive powertrains, including PHEV setups that are capable of emissions-free motoring. But there’s no question that serious strides have been made with this midsize entry, and it no longer seems like a mainstream model with a few upgraded finishes. It’s all enough to make the Nautilus an appealing alternative to the usual suspects in the segment.