2024 Lincoln Nautilus Review

The redesigned 2024 Lincoln Nautilus is a bit larger than before, but it’s still a midsize sport utility with five-passenger seating.

Some of the updates this time include a new interior with dash-wide screens, BlueCruise hands-free driving assist, and an available hybrid powertrain in addition to its gas-only version. It comes in a single Reserve trim with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) for $64,295, including a non-negotiable delivery fee of $2,395.

Styling: 9/10

The Nautilus is a good-looking vehicle with curves instead of sharp edges, and a gentle roof slope that doesn’t steal too much rear-seat headroom. My tester’s 22-inch wheels were part of its blackout appearance package. The cabin’s redesign is spectacular, with a 48-inch display across the dash, flowing full-length console, oval steering wheel, and numerous metallic accents, although when the sun enters at the right angle, the gear selector buttons can reflect with a blinding glare.

Safety: 9/10

The 2024 Nautilus hadn’t yet been tested by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at the time of this writing, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it the highest Top Safety Pick+ award. It got the highest “Good” on the updated side test, which better simulates being struck by a large SUV; and in the new moderate front overlap test, which assesses potential injury to a rear-seat passenger as well as to those in front.

Standard driver-assist features include emergency front braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a self-parking system, adaptive cruise control that works in stop-and-go traffic, lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, parking sensors, and surround-view cameras.

Features: 8/10

The expanse of screens across the dash includes the instrument cluster and such selectable features as navigation, music, weather, and a digital clock surrounded by an analogue clock’s corresponding position. The functions are adjusted using the 11.1-inch touchscreen below.

Standard items include heated and ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, a power-adjustable steering wheel, wireless phone charger, navigation, and 10-speaker stereo, while options include my tester’s 24-way power seats, BlueCruise hands-free driving assist, a 28-speaker stereo, heated second-row seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

User-Friendliness: 6/10

I want to meet the focus group that said, “Rather than just slide a knob, I want to bring up a screen and tap an icon to direct the vents.” And yes, some other automakers do this, but it doesn’t make it right. A couple of knobs wouldn’t upset the design, and would be far less distracting. It may seem petty to some, but this convoluted version of something that should be simple is my dealbreaker.

To its credit, the Nautilus includes a large crystal dial for stereo volume, along with buttons for functions such as the parking cameras. The climate controls are embedded within the screen, and I’d rather have buttons, but they’re relatively simple to use. 

Practicality: 8/10

For its size, the Nautilus makes the most of its interior space, offering more front- and rear-seat legroom than competitors such as the Cadillac XT5, Genesis GV80, or Lexus RX. At 1,030 L, its cargo space with the rear seats up leads them, too. However, it can only tow a maximum of 794 kg (1,750 lb), where the Lexus can tow up to 1,588 kg (3,500 lb), and the Genesis as much as 2,722 kg (6,000 lb).

Comfort: 8/10

The Nautilus coddles occupants with a deliciously smooth ride and quiet cabin. There’s even a Digital Scent feature, although I wasn’t keen on its perfumy smell and replacement cartridges are $40. My tester’s options included massaging 24-way seats, and while they proved supportive, that many positions can be a bit of overload when finding exactly the right spot.

Power: 8/10

The Nautilus is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder that makes 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. That’s toward the lower end among some competitors, but don’t go strictly by numbers. The Nautilus accelerates smoothly, and holds its own with highway passing. It includes an adaptive suspension, and with selectable drive modes of normal, conserve, and — I couldn’t make this up if I tried — excite, slippery, and deep.

The Nautilus can be optioned with a hybrid powertrain for $3,500. It also uses the 2.0L turbo engine, but its hybrid system makes a combined 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, and offers better fuel economy.

Driving Feel: 9/10

The Nautilus is a lovely vehicle to drive. The ride is pliable without being floaty; the steering is responsive and well-weighted; and while it’s all about luxury, it’s nicely composed on curves.

Its optional BlueCruise system lets you drive hands-free on pre-mapped sections of highway, although you still have to pay attention. An icon appears when you’re in a BlueCruise-available area, and if you’re not, you can still use the adaptive cruise control but with your hands on the wheel. Overall, I find Super Cruise from rival General Motors (GM) to be better — a few times, BlueCruise started taking an off-ramp, then figured its mistake and scolded me for it — but all these systems are gradually getting better.

Fuel Economy: 8/10

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) rates the Nautilus at 11.2 L/100 km city, 8.1 highway, and 9.8 in combined driving. In my week of mostly highway driving, I averaged 9.5 L/100 km. 

That official combined number is the lowest among some rivals, where the Lexus RX 350 is virtually on par at 9.9 L/100 km, while the Cadillac XT5 is 10.1; the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is 10.2; and the Genesis GV80 is 10.5 L/100 km (all with four-cylinder engines). And while all of those want premium-grade gasoline, the Nautilus is content to fill up at the 87-octane pump.

Value: 7/10

The Nautilus is a great drive, and its new interior is spectacular, but it can get expensive. It starts at $64,295, and to add items that you might think would be included, such as heated rear seats, a hands-free tailgate, and 14-speaker audio system, you have to add a $7,500 package that also bundles in BlueCruise. My tester’s package, at $12,750, added those plus 24-way seats and a 28-speaker system. Even before my vehicle’s appearance packages, that’s $74,650, with a pre-tax price tag of $81,745.

By comparison, you can get into a Lexus RX from $62,055 to $77,555, while a Cadillac XT5 starts at $53,199 with AWD and runs to $63,799 with V6 engine; and a Genesis GV80 starts at $76,000 (all prices including delivery).

The Verdict

Lincoln is often overlooked in the premium segment, where buyers tend to head first to the Japanese or German automakers; and while those rivals are worthy, the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus deserves a cross-shop. If you can live with some of its quirky operating systems, its ride and comfort might just be the ticket for you.