2020 Lincoln Nautilus Review: Affordable Luxury

Restyled and renamed in 2019, the Lincoln Nautilus is actually older than its two-year-old nametag might suggest. Since it replaced the Lincoln MKX, which was in its second generation at the time, some of its features and styling choices - despite being updated for 2019 - are starting to show their age. Nevertheless, it's still a capable midsize crossover that borders on being a luxury vehicle. At least, that's what it tries to be with its near-premium interior, but the inconsistency of material choices and some corner-cutting to reduce costs keep it from reaching its goal. The standard powertrain is a turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, but it's the available V6 that will catch buyers' eyes, developing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft. These figures are on par with the Nautilus' leading rivals like the Volvo XC90, although it isn't as refined or as capable on the road. But, if you're looking for a midsize SUV that looks the part of a luxury model while not breaking the bank, the Lincoln Nautilus might appeal to you.

What's the Price of the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus?

Lincoln's midsize luxury crossover is slightly more affordable than leading rivals like the Volvo XC90 and BMW X5; the Standard Lincoln Nautilus carries a price of $41,040, MSRP. The Reserve ups the cost quite a bit to $48,500, with the optional V6 adding $2,500, pushing the overall price past $50k. The top-tier Black Label asks for a significant investment of $63,800. All-wheel-drive can be optioned on to the lower two trims for an additional $2,495. These prices exclude US taxes, registration, licensing, and Lincoln's $995 destination fee.

2020 Nautilus Exterior

Dimensions

2020 Nautilus Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

While power might not be an issue on any of the trim levels, the Nautilus was not designed to be a great performer. The steering is light and disconnected from the wheels, allowing you to maneuver around tight spaces relatively easily, but giving you no idea what is going on underneath you. All-wheel-drive does nothing to improve this, and is only really necessary in areas with poor weather conditions, although it comes standard with the more enjoyable V6 engine.

That said, the extra power doesn't truly translate to extra drivability. No matter how you configure it, the Nautilus will never deliver a sporty performance. While twisty roads offer a welcome challenge to drivers of more capable SUVs like the BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz GLE, they are the bane of Lincoln owners. Try taking a corner at anything more than a mild jog, and the hefty body leans uncomfortably, inspiring absolutely no confidence.

Lincoln seems to acknowledge this failing in the Nautilus, and has, instead, focused on improving ride comfort, making the crossover an ideal family car. The interior isn't as plush as those found in true luxury SUVs, but it's pretty comfortable and pairs well with the suspension to negate most, if not all, road imperfections. The cabin is well-dampened, too, so road and wind noise shouldn't be an issue in regular daily driving.

Overall, this isn't a crossover meant to be enjoyed. The host of safety and comfort features work together with its tame handling dynamics to deliver a vehicle that will get you and your family where you're going without any fuss and in excellent comfort for the price bracket.

2020 Nautilus Interior

2020 Nautilus Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus A Good SUV?

While the Lincoln Nautilus doesn't actually fail to deliver in any one field, it doesn't really excel either, and it's simply not the best in the segment. It delivers a decent amount of power with either engine, but especially so with the available V6. However, it never really takes advantage of that power. It can cruise down the highway without fuss, but throw a few turns in, and it loses its composure.

Inside, the SUV looks quite upscale, but upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that Lincoln cut a few corners to keep the price of the Nautilus down. Nonetheless, the cabin is comfortable and well-appointed with plenty of safety features, with even more comfort and safety features on the upper trims. However, the top-tier trims are very expensive, nearing or exceeding the price of true luxury crossovers that come just as well-appointed.

So while the Nautilus is spacious inside, with plenty of safety features, good safety reviews, and great ride quality, it offers subpar cargo capacity and fuel economy, and uninspiring handling dynamics, all for a price of a more capable SUV. All said and done, the Lincoln Nautilus is a mediocre crossover, certainly not a good one.

What Lincoln Nautilus Model Should I Buy?

The entry-level Standard trim is a perfectly capable and well-appointed option, and comes at a pretty affordable price for a luxury vehicle, but it can't be equipped with the powerful turbo V6 engine. If you want access to that, you have to go for either the Reserve or the Black Label, but the latter is unreasonably expensive for what it offers. Thus, we suggest aiming for the middle ground and choosing the Reserve. The leather-appointed seats are plenty comfortable and the infotainment suite is comprehensive. However, it may be worth it to option on the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Plus package for some added peace of mind.

2020 Lincoln Nautilus Comparisons

2020 Lincoln Nautilus vs Lincoln Aviator

At an even higher price bracket than the Nautilus, the Lincoln Aviator has a lot more room to focus on the aspects that make an SUV premium. And speaking of room, the Aviator is quite a bit larger than its sibling, comfortably fitting in a third row of seats. Moving the much bulkier Aviator requires a lot more power, too, so it's no surprise that the base engine on the three-row crossover is a potent 400-hp turbo V6. But much like the Nautilus, the Aviator offers a second powertrain, a plug-in hybrid that boosts the V6 to deliver a combined 494 hp and 630 lb-ft. Add to this the Aviator's more premium interior, a longer list of available tech and comfort features, and comparable cargo capacity, and it's not hard to see why it makes it to our top ten, while the Nautilus is relegated to the mid-fifties.

2020 Lincoln Nautilus vs Ford Edge

Based on the same SUV platform as the Nautilus, the Ford Edge shares many of the same features, including a similarly powered 255-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It doesn't, however, get access to the stronger V6 that its cousin does. With a starting price tag that's $10k lower than that of the Lincoln, the Edge is not quite as upscale, but it offers many of the same features, such as Ford Co-Pilot360, an extensive infotainment suite, and available leather upholstery. By not trying to come across as a more premium vehicle, the Ford Edge is able to offer a lot more bang for your buck, while maintaining the same levels of utility as the more expensive Nautilus. If you can't really afford a luxury SUV, you're better off saving what cash you do have and going for the smarter buy.