2020 Lincoln Nautilus Review

　　

2020 Lincoln Nautilus Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　A small luxury SUV embodies some core expectations. In general, it should provide a smooth ride, comfortable seats, a quiet cabin on the highway, strong performance, and plenty of space. The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus (formerly the MKX) meets but doesn't always exceed these expectations. And in some other secondary metrics, it comes up short. If the Nautilus were a relative bargain against rivals, these slight demerits would easily be forgiven, but unfortunately it's on the expensive side of the class.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$203/mo  for Nautilus Base

　　Nautilus Base

　　4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $41,040 MSRP4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $43,535 MSRPReserve 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $48,500 MSRPReserve 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $50,995 MSRPBlack Label 4dr SUV AWD (2.7L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $63,800 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　There are also a few caveats attached to the above listed benefits. The strong performance comes courtesy of the Nautilus' 335-horsepower V6 engine, but it's only available on the midgrade Reserve trim and above. With that model, you also get a panoramic sunroof that cuts into rear-seat headroom, making for a tight squeeze for taller-than-average adults back there. Further holding the Nautilus back are some hard-plastic interior elements that seem out of place in an otherwise well-executed interior.

　　On the plus side, the Nautilus comes with a lot of standard equipment, including a comprehensive list of advanced safety features. We're also pleased with the design direction Lincoln took with this SUV. The Navigator-inspired grille, for instance, gives the Nautilus a distinctive identity. Overall, the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus is a solid choice in the luxury crossover class, but it is outshone by several others that exceed expectations.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Nautilus drive? The optional 2.7-liter V6 has a potent midrange that's useful for quick passing power. In zzdcar testing, it posted a 6.1-second 0-60 mph time — that's not as quick as some competitors but still plenty fast for an SUV of its size. This SUV feels powerful and smooth. Controlling the gas pedal is rewarding, while low-speed gear changes are nearly imperceptible.

　　Our test vehicle was fitted with optional performance-oriented tires. So equipped, the Nautilus feels composed and confident around turns, but only up to a point. Start pushing it hard and the noticeable body lean and stability control intervention give you the strong hint that this Lincoln is not meant to be a true sport-oriented SUV.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Nautilus? The Nautilus delivers luxury, provided you option it correctly. The soft and supportive front seats offer long-distance comfort, and their heating and cooling functions work quickly. Wide-ranging adjustments in our test car's optional seats fit those of many different statures, and everyone will appreciate the massage options.

　　Despite the 20-inch wheels, the ride balances between firm and soft. You'll feel bumps but not much aftershock. You may also hear the thunk of a large wheel bottoming out if you go over a speed bump quickly. The cabin mutes wind, tire and road noise to a minimum. The V6 is quiet around town, but it lets itself be heard when you're accelerating up to freeway speeds.

　　

Interior

7.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Nautilus' size makes it easy to get in and see out of, and the front seats have many adjustments. But minor annoyances add up and hurt the luxury experience. Your elbows sit at slightly different distances and heights, the button shifter layout can make three-point turns difficult, and the parking sensors signal too many false positives.

　　The cabin is spacious on headroom until you order the panoramic sunroof. It cuts rear headroom to the point where passengers of average height will brush their hair against the roof. Front and rear legroom is spacious. A tall seating position and large windows make it easy to see surroundings. The optional 360-degree camera aids parking but the display is small.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The infotainment screen is small, and it lacks the modern vibe of other systems. More positively, the optional Revel Ultima audio system reproduces sounds crisply and accurately. With Bluetooth, USB, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, there's no shortage of connectivity routes. Another highlight is the ability to connect two phones and use either for smartphone mirroring and audio at the same time.

　　The effectiveness of the Nautilus' driver aids is mixed. We like how the adaptive cruise control operates in a natural fashion and can bring the vehicle to a stop. But the forward collision warning system is too sensitive, at least in its default setting, and the lane keeping system is aggressive and not ideal in stop-and-go highway traffic.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The Nautilus can hold a bit more than the typical small luxury SUV — it offers 37.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 68.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. In-car storage space for small items is pretty typical. The center console compartment can swallow something the size of a standard DSLR camera, for instance, and the door pockets are big enough for small water bottles.

　　The Nautilus should work out pretty well for owners with small children. The rear lower car-seat anchors and top anchors are well-labeled and easy to access, and there's ample space for all but the bulkiest rear-facing child seats.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA rates the 2.7-liter V6-equipped Nautilus AWD at 21 mpg combined. Our test vehicle barely exceeded that on zzdcar' 115-mile evaluation route and sunk down to an average of 14.2 mpg after our full round of testing. The adage "caveat emptor" applies when it comes to spending too much time enjoying the turbo engine's midrange thrust.

　　

Value

6.5/10

　　Is the Nautilus a good value? The base price doesn't include expected luxury features, and many options are bundled in expensive packages. The seat leather is nice, but there are still hard plastics inside. And our test vehicle was beset with minor creaks and groans when driving on bumpy roads. While the Nautilus has some benefits, we think some of its competitors offer more for the money.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　The optional turbo V6 gives the Nautilus an unexpected level of performance, which makes it all the more fun. This SUV isn't perfect, but its style and performance are refreshing.

　　

Which Nautilus does zzdcar recommend?

The midgrade Reserve gets our nod in the Nautilus lineup because it delivers more of the luxury experience with added features and conveniences. It also gets our recommendation because it's available with the more powerful V6 engine that also comes with all-wheel drive.

　　

2020 Lincoln Nautilus models

The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus is available in three different trim levels: base, Reserve and Black Label. Each comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (250 horsepower, 280 lb-ft of torque) and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Moving up through the trim levels unlocks certain option packages and more standard equipment.

　　Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. An upgrade to a 2.7-liter V6 engine (335 hp, 380 lb-ft) is available on the Reserve and standard on the Black Label. All-wheel drive is standard with this engine.

　　The base Nautilus comes standard with features such as power-adjustable front seats, driver-seat memory settings, heated front seats and simulated leather upholstery. Also standard are an 8-inch central touchscreen with the Sync 3 interface, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, and a 10-speaker sound system. Driver aids include blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

　　The optional Equipment Group 101A package adds a hands-free liftgate, premium leather upholstery, a universal garage door opener and a navigation system.

　　The Reserve trim gets you upgrades such as panoramic sunroof, premium leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable and heated steering wheel. An adaptive suspension is also included if you upgrade to either the V6 engine or the 21-inch wheels. Available options include the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Plus package (a surround-view camera system plus more driver aids), a navigation system, upgraded front seats, and either a 13- or 19-speaker Revel audio system.

　　The top-of-the-line Black Label is similar to the Reserve, but it comes with just about every feature as standard. Lincoln also offers different paint and interior theme options for the Black Label and includes the special Black Label concierge service.

　　

2020 Nautilus Highlights

Trim: BaseReserveBlack LabelBase

　　

Base MSRP	$41,040
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$203/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	37.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles