The Nautilus just came out of a deep-dive redesign to leverage the new look of Lincoln and to raise its mark of luxury.
The 2019 Nautilus builds on what had been Lincoln’s first crossover SUV, the five-seat MKX, a remake of parent company Ford Motor’s Edge. The Nautilus debuts handsome exterior styling, including the new Lincoln grille, and more advanced safety technologies.
The midsize SUV is quiet riding and smooth rolling while providing a substantial sense of safety and security. The remake sheds most of the associations with the Ford Edge, replacing them with much more appealing plastics, quality carpeting, contemporary décor and fresh trim elements with more soundproofing — lots more.
Styling and pricing might be its greatest separators from the competition, including the Audi Q3, BMW X3, Cadillac XT5 and Lexus RX.
The Nautilus is sold in four trim levels, in front- or all-wheel drive with a choice of engines, either a turbocharged four-cylinder or twin-turbocharged V-6, both with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Starting prices range from $41,335 for the standard model to $45,540 for the Select and $49,870 for the Reserve and $57,890 for the more exclusive Black Label; AWD adds $2,495. New to the Black Label line is the Gala theme of deep Carmine and Onyx leather and Nouveau Armor aluminum accents.
The AWD Reserve tester came to $65,465, which had seven options. Among them were the Ultra Comfort 22-way power adjustable front seats ($1,500), Rhapsody Blue paint ($695), 19-speaker Revel Ultima audio upgrade and the Ultimate package, $5,160, of 21-inch alloy wheels and 265/40 all-season tires and bending LED multi-projector headlights and cornering lamps.
Lincoln perks include free pickup and delivery of vehicles for service (leaving the owner a rental) and a six-month hip to the CLEAR airport experience to by security lines at the busiest airports and sports stadiums. (Black Label owners get a 12-month free CLEAR hip.)
The Lincoln Way app allows the owner to start, lock, unlock and locate the vehicle, schedule remote starts to heat or cool; monitor fuel levels and check tire pressures; make monthly vehicle payments and to pay for vehicle service.
Powertrain
The new base engine, replacing a V-6, is a turbocharged 250-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 280 foot-pounds of torque at 3,000 rpm. It has fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg city, 25 highway and 23 mpg combined, on 87 octane.
The optional twin-turbocharged and direct-injection 2.7-liter V-6 is the same engine in the performance-oriented Edge ST, with the same power ratings of 335-hp and 380 foot-pounds of torque at 3,250 rpm. With an AWD curb weight of 4,305 pounds, it has fuel economy ratings of 18/27/21 mpg, also on regular unleaded. I was averaging 17.6-20.6 mpg.
The V-6 gives lively acceleration with some engine noise on launch, but underhood soundproofing quickly takes over. The nine-speed transmission moves easily through the gears, though timed for fuel economy. Sport mode gives a jolt to fill the power gaps at low revs, but it can be a little intense on the daily dice-up to keep the driver at the front of the line. A more powerful engine choice might reinforce a more luxurious statement.
The ride quality is comfortable, but the steel-spring suspension can feel busy as softer springs interact with stiffer dampers to settle the ride. And the turning circle is wide at 40 feet with the 21-inch tires. Four-wheel-disc brakes have large 13.58-inch rotors front and rear.
Driver assist
The newly added Lincoln Co-Pilot360 uses cameras and radar to integrate blind spot information, rear cross-traffic alerts, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and a lane-keeping system.
The optional Driver Assistance package ($1,590) includes two new technologies: evasive steer assist, for when braking won’t save the day. And lane centering technology, which works with the adaptive cruise with stop-and-go function. When used in heavy commuting traffic, the assistance package creates a Level 2 self-driving mode, as long as the driver maintains a light touch on the steering wheel.
Interior
The driver area makes a good first impression with contemporary styling and -grade materials, including the Espresso Ash Swirl trim in the tester. Headroom is tall at nearly 40 inches with a sunroof. Sightlines are reasonably open at the wide base of the outstretched windshield pillars and the smallish rear window. But the dual-view camera is very helpful when parking.
There is a smart layout to access cabin controls and a number of good storage areas. The push-button gear positions are vertically aligned to the right of the steering wheel, which frees up space on the center console for a charging area. And there are two open storage areas beneath the console, ideal to keep things out of plain view.
The back-seat area has headroom of 39.2 inches and long legroom of 39.6 inches. The rear seatback reclines, but the bench is a little short for adult thigh . There are many amenities (fold-down armrest, reading lights, door storage) but no USBs, only a 12-volt plug and a household outlet.
Cargo space is wide and square at a generous 37.2 cubic feet behind the 60/40 folding back seat.
Lincoln took a Ford stablemate and turned it into a dynamically styled and luxuriously enhanced SUV. The Nautilus doesn’t redefine driving, but it will redefine perceptions of Lincoln as a brand.
2019 Lincoln Nautilus AWD Reserve
- Body style: midsize, 5-seat SUV
- Engine: 335-hp, twin-turbocharged and direct-injection 2.7-liter V-6; 380 lb.-ft. torque at 3,250 rpm
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Fuel economy: 18/27/21 mpg city/hwy/combined; 87 octane recommended
SPECIFICATIONS
- Fuel tank: 18 gal.
- Cargo space: 37.2 cu. ft.
- Front head/leg room: 39.9/42.8 in.
- Rear head/leg room: 39.2/39.6 in.
- Length/wheelbase: 190/112.2 in.
- Curb weight: 4,305 lbs.
- Turning circle: 39.3 ft.
FEATURES
- Standard equipment includes: keyless locking and push-button ignition, leather-trimmed upholstery, 13-speaker Revel audio system, wireless charging pad, 4G WiFi hotspot, rearview camera with lens washer, heated and power folding side mirrors with Lincoln downlighting, panoramic vista roof, cabin air filter, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated back seats, LED headlights
- Safety features include: 8 air bags, adaptive cruise control, dynamic brake , forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, reverse-sensing system, blind-spot and cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, precollision assist with automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, roll stability control with curve control, torque vectoring control, hill-start assist
PRICING
- Base price: $52,365, including $995 freight charge; price as tested $65,465
- Options on test vehicle: Equipment group 300A, $695; Ultra comfort 22-way adjustable seats, $1,500; Ultimate package, $5,160, 21-inch alloy wheels and 265/40R21 all-season tires, full LED multi-projector headlamps with dynamic bending and cornering lamps, and 19-speaker Revel Ultima audio System
- Where assembled: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
- Warranty: 4-years/50,000-miles bumper to bumper with pickup and delivery service; 6-years/70,000-miles powertrain
