The current Ford Edge and its Lincoln Nautilus counterpart have been around since the 2015 model year and their respective futures remain uncertain. Typically by this time, redesigned successors would have appeared but Ford has instead resorted to regular updates for both. Just last week, we learned that the 2022 Edge will be all-wheel drive only across the entire lineup; the front-wheel-drive variant is finished. The likely reason is slow sales. But what about the Nautilus?

Ford Authority claims it's learned from company sources the Nautilus will continue to be offered in FWD as standard configuration for the base and Reserve trims.

The top-of-the-line Black Label will come equipped with standard AWD. The Black Label also comes standard with the more powerful 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, which is optional on the lower two trims. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-pot is standard. This also isn't the first time these corporate cousins have parted ways in some form, feature-wise. For example, the sportier and more powerful Edge ST comes packed with a uniquely recalibrated seven-speed automatic gearbox.

This wasn't transferred over to the more luxurious Nautilus. Looking ahead, the Edge and Nautilus are probably not expected to continue much longer, at least in their current form. Both are built on the automaker's aging CD4 platform.

The fact that Ford is moving quickly towards electrification, it'd make sense for any successors, assuming there are any, to be all-electric. There's been no indication just yet as to when Ford will announce a decision regarding these crossover's future, but we should hopefully learn so within the next year or so. There's been some speculation that Ford's crossover and SUV lineup is simply too big and it's causing some internal competition.

Eliminating the age Edge would make some sense. And without the Edge, the Nautilus would lose its platform-mate. Both are built at the same factory as well. So without the Edge around, the Nautilus is very likely doomed.