2019 Lincoln Nautilus Road Test and Review

Lincoln is fast getting back in the game. Ford’s luxury brand has been around for almost 100 years and has created some of the world’s greatest luxury cars in that time, but the last few decades have been tough as competition from Germany and Japan have gotten more popular. The new 2019 Lincoln Nautilus is ready for the fight.

To create the new 2019 Nautilus, Lincoln has upgraded the looks, safety, and features to the second generation of the Lincoln MKX, which debuted in 2016. The MKX has been the brand’s best seller, and now it becomes the Nautilus, which is even better equipped to take on its many rivals including the Lexus RX, Cadillac XT5, and Mercedes-Benz GLE. This new five-passenger SUV comes on the heels of the redesigned 2018 Lincoln Navigator, which received the prestigious North American SUV of the Year Award. Meanwhile, later this year the brand will introduce a new seven-passenger SUV called the Aviator, which is beautifully styled and will be available as a hybrid. The Nautilus is ready to be part of this renaissance. 

Lincoln offers the 2019 Nautilus in four trim levels: Base, Select, Reserve, and Black Label. Prices start at $41,335, including a $995 destination fee, for a Nautilus with front-wheel drive, which is competitive with the Lexus RX. Front-wheel drive is standard on all models and all-wheel drive is available across the range. Less than 10 percent of MKX buyers chose the Black Label trim level, which adds features and more luxurious interior appointments, but Lincoln feels more Nautilus buyers will want the additional luxury. There are also three different Black Label themes to choose from: Gala, Chalet, and Thoroughbred. Nautilus Black Label prices start just under $58,000.

Under the hood is a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 250 horsepower, which replaces the MKX’s naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6. Although the V6 made more horsepower, the boosted four-cylinder is more refined and more fuel-efficient. It also mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission, which is a huge improvement of the six-speed automatic used in the MKX. A 335-hp twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 remains optional on all models, and it also gets a new eight-speed automatic.

For the last few years, Lincoln has been restyling its entire lineup, replacing an unloved winged grille design with a more modern and dramatic horizontal shape that first debuted on the 2017 Continental sedan. The new design now appears on all of the brand’s sedans and other SUVs, and it’s a huge improvement. With that new grille, as well as its new headlamps, front bumper, and peaked hood, the Nautilus is far more attractive than the MKX ever was. This is now a sharp-looking SUV with bulging fenders and sporty proportions. Although it shares its chassis and powertrains with the Ford Edge, the two look nothing alike, and the Nautilus looks much more regal and upscale.

There’s quite a bit of chrome, but not too much. Although there are LED headlamps and taillights, dual chrome exhaust tips, and large intricate alloy wheels as large at 21-inches, the overall design of the Nautilus isn’t as extreme or cartoonish as some others in the class. And for many buyers, this is a good thing.

Lincoln has also improved the interior of the 2019 Nautilus, adding the digital gauge cluster that has been so well received in the new Navigator. The instrumentation is completely configurable for the driver, and the graphics are clean and easy to read. Lincoln has also added acoustic side glass, and the Nautilus is very quiet inside, even on the highway.

The ergonomics are simple and well thought out. There are large knobs to control the audio system, and the climate controls are an uncomplicated set of buttons. Some may be intimidated Lincoln’s unique push-button shifter, but it's not as complicated as it looks: The buttons are large and easily reached on the dash. Plus, the system will put the transmission in Park for you when you shut off the engine. Passenger space is about typical for this segment, which means five adults do fit comfortably. Overall fit and finish are very good and the interior materials are high-quality, especially in the top Black Label trim, which even gets a suede headliner. Our test vehicle's heated and cooled front seats were comfortable and supportive, and Lincoln also offers 22-way power adjustable seats with massage as an option.

With multiple screens and complex interfaces, the in-cabin technology in many SUVs has gotten a little too complicated for many buyers. The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus’ Sync 3 infotainment system bucks that trend with a single simple touchscreen, clean graphics, and an easily navigated menu structure.

This is the finest system Lincoln has ever offered. The 8-inch touchscreen is large and mounted high on the dash, so it's easily reached by the driver or passenger. It’s quick to respond to your inputs, and the navigation system offers 3D maps and allows for pinch-to-zoom and other smartphone-like gestures. Also, the system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bluetooth and onboard Wi-Fi are standard.

We were very impressed with the power and refinement of the standard 2.0-liter engine. And the new eight-speed automatic is a massive improvement. It’s responsive, it shifts smoothly, and the additional gears improve acceleration and fuel economy in the city. Meanwhile, with the optional 2.7-liter turbocharged V6, the Nautilus is one of the most powerful and quickest SUVs in this class.

The Nautilus is also more fuel-efficient than the MKX it replaces. It's rated at 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with the base 2.0-liter engine and front-wheel drive. With the new eight-speed transmission, the fuel efficiency of the more powerful 2.7-liter engine is also improved, up from 17 mpg to 18 mpg in the city and from 25 mpg on the highway to 27 mpg. The optional all-wheel drive adds weight to the vehicle, which can diminish fuel efficiency, but the new system disconnects from the rear wheels on the highway to save gas. Also, both engines have a very smooth start/stop system, which shuts off the engine at red lights to save fuel.

Every new Nautilus offers a Sport mode, which adds a little effort to the steering, quickens the throttle response, and modifies the behavior of the transmission for more aggressive gear selection. The driver can also easily choose among three suspension settings: Comfort, Normal, and Sport. Our favorite was Normal, which pairs perfectly with the Sport mode for everyday driving.

Lincoln doesn’t have a reputation for engineering fun-to-drive vehicles, but the 2019 Nautilus surprised us with its sporty handling on the twisty roads of Southern California. Lincoln has retuned the SUV’s suspension for 2019, and the ride is smooth even on choppy sections of concrete highway. There’s also plenty of grip on the road when you push it around a few corners, and we were impressed with the SUV's solid, stable feel.

Every 2019 Lincoln Nautilus gets a power liftgate and offers 37.2 cubic feet of space behind its rear seat, which is about average for this class and a bit more than you get in a Lexus RX. Every Nautilus also comes with a standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat, which is easily folded flat to expand that space to 68.8 cubic feet. That’s significantly more than the Lexus.  

Lincoln has also given the SUV’s interior storage considerable time and consideration. There are two large covered console bins between the front seats and sufficient door pockets with slots for water bottles. There’s also more storage under the Nautilus’ console, and two large well-placed front-seat cupholders.

Every Nautilus, including the lower base and Select trim levels, comes with Lincoln Co-Pilot360, which is a bundle of driver aids that include blind-spot monitoring with a cross-traffic alert, a lane-keeping system, and pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking. This system will warn the driver of a probable accident. If the driver does not respond in time, the Nautilus can automatically apply its brakes. Buyers can also add a new evasive steer assist system, which will steer the SUV to help avoid collisions if braking alone is not enough.

On Reserve and Black Label models, Lincoln offers a Drivers Assist package that adds adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. This system steers the SUV down the road for you, but it asks that you keep your hands on the wheel. The system is easy to engage, but it’s best used on the highway where turns are gradual.

As much as we appreciate the additional horsepower from the optional 2.7-liter V6, the standard 2.0-liter is more than strong enough for most buyers, especially with the great response of the new eight-speed transmission. We were also impressed with the interior appointments of the Black Label trim level, but it’s very expensive, costing about $9,000 more than the very well appointed Nautilus Reserve, which is the most popular trim level.

An additional feature we should mention is Lincoln’s Concierge service, which allows owners to schedule pickup and delivery for vehicle maintenance at any location. It’s standard on every Nautilus. If you’re looking for a powerful, comfortable, and attractive mid-size SUV, the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus is a desirable overall choice.