2024 Lincoln Nautilus

The release date for the new Lincoln Nautilus has been set for early in 2024, so we expect it to be coming out in the first quarter of next year.

The price for the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus starts at $50,415 for the base Premiere trim, which represents quite a jump in MSRP over the 2023 model's $44,825. Following this is the Reserve at $54,750 and the Black Label at a steep $74,465. If you want to upgrade to the hybrid engine, that will add another $1,500 to the bill. All these prices also exclude the destination charge of $1,395.

Rivals to the 2024 Nautilus include the Lexus RX, another vehicle that emphasizes comfort above outright sportiness. The current RX is cheaper than the new Nautilus with a starting price of over $47k. More power, performance, and prestige come when you look at Germans like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, but both are also a lot pricier. The Genesis GV80 is slightly more expensive but is stacked to the rafters with value for that money.

The exterior of the new Lincoln Nautilus SUV is sharper and more masculine than the model it replaces. It looks every bit the upscale luxury SUV it is with its new LED headlights and LED taillamps with animation. A new bar runs across the studded grille from the headlights, creating another interpretation of the full-width lighting that is so trendy in car design at the moment. H2 Pixel headlights can be equipped as an option. The grille has an upper plated satin chrome finish, and the Lincoln Star logo has Spirit Blue inserts for hybrid models.

In general, the Nautilus leans into luxury more than ever, with no unsightly plastic wheel arch trim to create the illusion of an off-roader. Instead, you get dual chrome exhaust tips, body-color wheel arch moldings, shiny 19-inch wheels, a Lincoln welcome mat with lighting that makes every entrance a grander affair, and illuminated door handles. Speaking of those door handles, they have been completely integrated into the beltline, creating a more seamless and uninterrupted side view.

At the back, there is a single lighting cluster that stretches across the body, and even here, Lincoln has tried to reduce any visual distraction by moving the wiper to a spot below the rear spoiler, completely out of sight; it's the type of attention to detail you'll find on a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

There are many options to customize your purchase, including a hands-free liftgate and a panoramic Vista roof. There is an optional Jet Appearance Package for all trims, with small differences between each but darker exterior trim for all. Larger wheels are available at up to 22 inches in size, and the roof can be painted black entirely on Reserve and Black Label variants.

The exterior colors of the new Lincoln Nautilus SUV include Silver Radiance, Infinite Black, Diamond Red, Lustrous Gray, White Platinum, Blue Panther, Red Carpet, and Chroma Caviar Dark Gray (Black Label only). We think the Nautilus looks especially good in the Red Carpet shade.

In all major dimensions, the Lincoln Nautilus is larger than before. Its length is now 193.2 inches, 3.2 inches more than the 2023 model. The width is 79.8 inches with the mirrors folded, the height is 68.2 inches, and the wheelbase is 114.2 inches.

The base gas model weighs 4,349 pounds, while the hybrid versions have a heftier curb weight by around 168 lbs for a total of 4,517 lbs.

It's not a great shock that the older twin-turbocharged V6 has been discontinued as manufacturers continue chasing efficiency. The engine options for the latest Lincoln Nautilus start with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 250 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. The 2023 model actually had 280 lb-ft, but Lincoln does state that current outputs are what's being targeted, so the final specs may very well be different. This model has an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.

The hybrid has a 2.0-liter engine and an electric motor for a combined output of 310 hp. It's mated to a continuously variably automatic transmission with a 100kW electric motor.

Based on the previous model, the non-hybrid will manage the 0-60 sprint in around seven seconds, and although it's more powerful, the hybrid might not be much quicker, considering it's heavier. In either case, there are much quicker SUVs out there, but we expect the Lincoln to be perfectly sufficient for most needs.

What may not be sufficient for many is the towing capacity of just 1,750 pounds with the optional Trailer Tow Package.

An adaptive suspension should make the Nautilus a pleasant cruiser, and customers can choose from five standard drive modes: Normal, Conserve, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions.

No fuel economy ratings have been supplied by Lincoln just yet, but the gas-only model is likely to closely match the consumption of last year's AWD model, which returned 20/25/22 mpg city/highway/combined.

With a 20-gallon gas tank, and assuming average consumption of 22 mpg, the Nautilus should have a range of roughly 440 miles. The hybrid will obviously be more economical, but no claims have been made about its efficiency or battery.

Lincoln refers to the inside of the Nautilus as being a sanctuary for the senses, and much of the serene driving experience it has worked hard to create is centered around the dramatic new cabin.

The tiered dashboard has a top section with a curved display that stretches almost from pillar to pillar, and the trim that leads from this display into the door panels creates a unique cocooning effect for those seated in front. Lincoln claims that this is the largest display in the segment, and although its exact size wasn't specified, we're not going to dispute that claim. Lower down, there is a more traditional 11.1-inch touchscreen interface, and this has a dedicated strip at the bottom for the touch-sensitive climate controls.

There are crystal-inspired details that bring a premium aura to the interior of the Lincoln Nautilus, from the instrument panel toggles to the piano key shifter. The steering wheel also has a unique shape, with a flat top that Lincoln claims allows drivers to see over it instead of through it.

The company is clearly very proud of its Lincoln Rejuvenate system, which creates a curated sensory experience through a mix of dazzling lighting, visuals, and scent, based on your mood. Said to be a stationary experience to help clients recharge, it sounds a lot like the Energizing Comfort system in some Mercedes-Benz models that also uses scent and lighting to help occupants unwind. In the Nautilus, the scent options include Mystic Forest, which is "an earthy blend with woody, rich notes of patchouli."

Base Lexus Nautilus models have soft-touch seats that are power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated in front. Leather-trimmed seats with suede inserts are available, as are heated rear seats or Perfect Position front seats with electric adjustment in 24 directions. The Black Label theme includes Alpine Venetian leather with perforations, and headliners in either Cashmere or Dark Smoked Truffle Suede.

As standard, there is a 10-speaker sound system with all the expected connectivity features like wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Alexa Built-in, and 5G connectivity. The Revel Ultima 3D sound system boasts no less than 28 speakers.

The driver-assistance suite is even more impressive, as all models come with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Vision 2.2 suite as standard. This includes blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian detection, a front parking aid, a 360-degree camera, and reverse brake assist. It also includes Lincoln BlueCruise 1.2 for effortless hands-free driving with lane change assist and in-lane repositioning. You get a 90-day trial on the lower two trims, but can extend this.

While the cargo space behind the second row of the Lincoln Nautilus is a bit less than in the 2023 model, the 36.4 cubic feet of space is still very practical. That expands to 71.3 cubes when the rear seats are folded down. In Reserve and Black Label models, there is a bit less space: 35.2 cubes behind the second row and 68.8 cubes behind the first row.